Strengthening Family & Self, 6th Edition Page 59 (59 of 672)

Section 2:1 Growth Patterns
59
Reaching Social Maturity
Developing a strong character will help you
achieve social maturity. This is a set of qualities
that makes you an enjoyable person. When you
have social maturity, the important people in
your life will be able to count on you, depend
on you, and trust you. They know you will also
consider their well-being when making decisions.
They know you will respond with ethical
behavior.
Being involved in community service projects
can help you grow socially. Such projects are
usually group efforts that focus on helping others
and supplying their needs. Community service
projects can help you see situations from other
points of view. In what group projects have you
participated? Is there some type of need in a
person’s life that you could help fill? Perhaps you
could be the one to step in and make a difference.
As you help others, you grow socially and
become more mature.
Review Section 2:1
1. Name the four typical growth patterns and
summarize the characteristics of each.
2. When are differences in growth rates most
obvious?
3. List three steps that an adolescent can take to
promote physical growth to maturity.
4. List three characteristics of intellectual
development.
5. List three strategies that could help a person
reach intellectual maturity.
6. Describe an emotionally mature person.
7. Describe three characteristics of a socially
mature person.
How do you think being involved in a
community service project could help you
develop your character and grow in social
maturity?
Link to Your Life

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Section 2:1 Growth Patterns
59
Reaching Social Maturity
Developing a strong character will help you
achieve social maturity. This is a set of qualities
that makes you an enjoyable person. When you
have social maturity, the important people in
your life will be able to count on you, depend
on you, and trust you. They know you will also
consider their well-being when making decisions.
They know you will respond with ethical
behavior.
Being involved in community service projects
can help you grow socially. Such projects are
usually group efforts that focus on helping others
and supplying their needs. Community service
projects can help you see situations from other
points of view. In what group projects have you
participated? Is there some type of need in a
person’s life that you could help fill? Perhaps you
could be the one to step in and make a difference.
As you help others, you grow socially and
become more mature.
Review Section 2:1
1. Name the four typical growth patterns and
summarize the characteristics of each.
2. When are differences in growth rates most
obvious?
3. List three steps that an adolescent can take to
promote physical growth to maturity.
4. List three characteristics of intellectual
development.
5. List three strategies that could help a person
reach intellectual maturity.
6. Describe an emotionally mature person.
7. Describe three characteristics of a socially
mature person.
How do you think being involved in a
community service project could help you
develop your character and grow in social
maturity?
Link to Your Life

Help

58
Chapter 2 Your Growth and Development
Developing Strength in
Character
A person’s character is not shaped in a day,
a week, or even a year. You may have certain
traits that you do not like and want to change.
Developing new character traits takes effort and
time, but it can be done.
The first step in improving your character
is to identify the trait(s) you want to change
or develop. Questions similar to those listed
in 2-9 can help you identify some of these
1.
areas. Any question to which you answer
“mostly never” may pinpoint an area needing
improvement.
After you identify a weak area, focus
on specifics about it. For instance, if
dependability is sometimes a problem,
identify the circumstances when you are not
dependable. Is it when doing homework? Is it
when doing a task at home? Is it when trying
to be on time for appointments?
The next step in improving your character
is to develop a plan that addresses a specific
trait. List some specific actions to take to
improve the trait. Then work on one area at a
time.
As part of your plan, choose someone to
make regular checkups. A person who is close
to you could check your progress without
offending you. Regular checkups by a friend
will help you implement your plan.
2.
3.
4.
Think More About It
What other sources of training, modeling,
and examples might affect the growth of
children’s character?
Examining Character Traits
Trait Questions
Self-discipline Do I accomplish what I plan to do?
Can I say no to myself?
Do I keep myself neat, clean, and appropriately dressed?
Dependability Do I arrive on time for a date or appointment?
Can I be counted on to get a job done?
Responsibility Do I do my share of the work when assigned to a group project?
Do I feel that I have a part in helping others grow to their potential?
Do I carry out my jobs without being reminded?
Moral principles Do I respect others’ rights and privileges?
Do I obey the law?
Integrity Do I try to be honest?
Do I present a truthful picture?
Motivation Do I believe that hard work is useful and worthwhile?
Am I enthusiastic about my work?
Do I find satisfaction in a job well-done?
Sense of mercy and
justice
Do I feel compassion when others are ill-treated?
Do I help others when I see others in need?
Am I able to look beyond my own desires to consider the welfare of others?
2-9
These questions help you examine your character traits. Your answers can identify areas that you may want to develop.

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60
Chapter 2 Your Growth and Development
Your
Personality
Sharpen Your Reading
Use the equation “All you are + All you do =
Personality.” Under each part of the equation,
summarize the key points from the text that illustrate
that part of personality.
Boost Your Vocabulary
For each key term, write an example of words that
people use to describe that trait in a person.
Know Key Terms
personality
self-concept
self-esteem
temperament
extrovert
introvert
If your best friend were asked to describe you,
what would your friend say? “She’s a lot of fun,
rather quiet, but a true friend.” “He is tall, very
outgoing, and a starter on the basketball team.”
When your friend describes you, he or she is
listing different parts of your personality. Your
personality is the sum of all your personal and
behavioral traits. These traits combine to make
you a unique person with your own personality.
Many researchers have studied the factors
that affect personality. Some look at the growth
of the self-concept and how a person’s view of
“self” affects behavior. Others study the natural
response patterns that people use to express
themselves. Still others study personality by
looking at how people respond to their human
needs. Your personality development will be
influenced in some way by each of these factors.
The Influence of
Self-Concept
Your self-concept is the mental picture you
have of yourself, 2-10. If you like the way you see
yourself, you will have a positive self-concept.
If you do not like what you see, you will have a
negative self-concept.
section
2:2
2-10
Your personality is influenced by how you see your-
self and feel about that mental image.

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Page 20Unit 1 Reaching Your Potential click to expand contents

Page 106Unit 2 Strengthening Relationships click to expand contents

Page 204Unit 3 Establishing a Family click to expand contents

Page 302Unit 4 Understanding Families click to expand contents

Page 404Unit 5 Fulfilling Career and Community Roles click to expand contents

Page 472Unit 6 Managing Your World click to expand contents

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