How Adolescents Reconcile Internalized Biases With Aspirations For Fairness And Authentic Self-Expression
As individuals grow up and enter their teenage years, they begin to explore their identity, values, and beliefs that shape who they are and how they interact with others. This exploration often includes questioning societal norms and expectations, which can lead to internalized biases and prejudices based on factors such as race, gender, class, ability, religion, and sexual orientation.
Many adolescents also aspire for fairness and social justice, wanting to create an equitable world where everyone is treated equally regardless of their background. So, how do these conflicting views come together?
It's essential to understand what "internalized biases" mean. These are unconscious attitudes and behaviors towards oneself or others based on cultural stereotypes, media messages, personal experiences, and family dynamics. They manifest in thoughts, feelings, and actions without conscious awareness and often reflect society's dominant beliefs about certain groups. Examples include body shaming, sexism, homophobia, and racism. When adolescents internalize these biases, they may feel like they don't belong, experience self-hatred or self-doubt, and behave accordingly.
Aspiring for fairness and social justice means recognizing and challenging inequality, promoting equal opportunities and rights for all people, and advocating for just treatment within the legal system. Adolescents may be more likely to challenge societal norms if they have role models who speak out against discrimination, participate in activist movements, and educate themselves on issues affecting marginalized communities.
A teenager who identifies as LGBTQ+ may learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, which can lead them to question the validity of heteronormative expectations and embrace their true self.
Authentic self-expression involves being genuine and truthful with oneself and others, valuing individuality, and expressing one's unique identity and values openly. This involves accepting all aspects of oneself, including perceived flaws and differences that deviate from societal norms.
A transgender person may struggle with gender dysphoria but ultimately find acceptance by embracing their authentic selves through hormone therapy, surgery, or other treatments.
To reconcile internalized biases with aspirations for fairness and authentic self-expression, adolescents must reflect on their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors to identify where they contradict these ideals. They can start by exploring their privilege, acknowledging how it shapes their worldview, and examining ways to use it to uplift others.
They can seek support from friends, family members, mentors, or professionals who share similar goals and provide guidance on navigating conflicting perspectives.
Challenging internalized biases requires courage and resilience, as it means confronting uncomfortable feelings, ideas, and social pressure. But doing so leads to greater personal growth, awareness, and empowerment, enabling adolescents to live authentically while promoting justice and equality in society.
How do adolescents reconcile internalized biases with aspirations for fairness, social justice, and authentic self-expression?
Adolescence is an important period of growth where individuals establish their identity, values, and worldview through various experiences and interactions with society. Internalized biases refer to unconscious prejudices or stereotypes that are absorbed from one's surroundings, such as media, family, peers, and education systems.