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Chapter 1 A Close-Up View of You
section
1:1
Your Life Path
Sharpen Your Reading
Outline concepts as you read, listing key points
under the following headings: Definition, Qualities of
Your Life Path, Changes Along Your Life Path, and
Preparing for Change.
Boost Your Vocabulary
Pick an object that you think describes you and
explain how it relates to your identity. Include your
strengths and areas you need to improve.
Know Key Terms
life span
gene
developmental task
self-identity
Life can be thought of as a path. Your birth
marks the beginning of your path in this world.
Death marks the end of this path. Your path from
birth to death is called your life span, 1-1.
No one knows just how long their life span
will be. The average life span today for men is
72 years; for women, it is 79 years. These are
averages expected for people who are teens
today.
You are unique. No one else is exactly like
you. You started your life path with your own set
of genes, received from your parents. A gene is
the basic unit of heredity. Your unique pattern of
genes is defined as your DNA, which has about
three billion base pairs of genetic material. Your
DNA is so distinctive that it can be used as a
method of identification.
1-1
Although your life path is unique, you will pass through the same growth stages as all people do.
Birth
Childhood
years
Elementary
years
Teen
years
Young adult
years
Adult
years
Older adult
years
Death