Chapter 1 A Close-Up View of You 7
grade to grade. What you learn will also have an
effect on your future career options.
The relationships you have along your life
path will also result in a unique “you.” No one has
the exact same interactions in their relationships
as you, for you are a unique individual in your
family and among your circle of friends. Your life
path crosses the life paths of other people every
day. You are affected by others in your life and you
also have an impact on them. In this way, you are
interdependent with people around you.
Some people have a direct infl uence on your
life path. They may give you food, clothes, and
shelter so you feel warm and secure. They may
give you a hug or praise so you feel loved. Such
actions and words affect you in a direct way and
shape how you feel about yourself as well as how
you interact with others. People’s actions can
also affect you indirectly. For example, have you
ever known someone who was hurt by not being
invited to a classmate’s party? This is an example
of an indirect effect.
Your words and actions can also directly or
indirectly impact others. How you interact with
others affects your relationships and how others see
you. Who you are, what you say, and what you do
or do not do are all important. Your interactions
with others help to create a unique “you.”
Developmental Tasks of
Adolescence
Adolescence refers to the teen years. As a teen,
you have major developmental tasks to achieve. A
developmental task is a skill that society expects
of individuals at various stages of life. Six tasks
are the focus of the teen years (Figure 1.2).
Accomplishing these tasks successfully helps you
become an adult.
Understanding and Accepting Yourself
One developmental task of the teen years is to
fi gure out who you are. Asking the question “Who
am I?” helps you clarify your personal identity.
This is a sense of your individuality and your
personality—what makes you, you. Exploring the
answers to this question will help you feel that
you have worth and value. Your feelings of value
and importance are your self-esteem.
Identifying who you are is the fi rst step toward
accepting yourself. When you accept yourself, it
is easier to believe that others will accept you as
you are. There is no need to pretend—you can let
others know the real you. Accepting yourself can
help you feel more confi dent when relating to others.
Think of the last item you purchased. Who was
directly affected by your purchase? Who was
indirectly affected by it?
©iStock.com/Cathy Yeulet
Figure 1.1 The grandmother, mother, and daughter
in this image represent the older adult, adult, and
elementary years of the life span.
Figure 1.2 There are six tasks that society expects
teens to accomplish during adolescence. What
information could help in mastering these tasks?
Developmental Tasks of Adolescence
• Understand and accept who you are.
• Make healthful choices that help you grow
to maturity.
• Develop mature relationships.
• Prepare for a career.
• Prepare for independence.
• Prepare for marriage and family living.
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