The term "adolescent" refers to individuals between the ages of 12 and 18 years old, who are transitioning from childhood into adulthood. During this period, teenagers often grapple with identity formation, including their values, beliefs, and opinions about society's expectations for them. Adolescence is a time when young people begin to develop their own moral compass and sense of right and wrong, which can be influenced by their upbringing, culture, religion, and personal experiences.
Navigating social norms while staying true to one's ethics can be challenging, especially if they conflict. This article will explore how adolescents reconcile internalized societal norms with personal ethical convictions to guide social action.
It is essential to understand that adolescents may experience cognitive developmental changes during this transitional phase. Their brains undergo physical growth and maturation, leading to increased reasoning skills, abstract thought processes, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving capabilities. These advancements enable teens to process information more logically, recognize inconsistencies in arguments or behavior, and reflect on their actions before taking action. They also gain the ability to reason beyond concrete facts and consider hypothetical scenarios, which allows them to evaluate ethical dilemmas.
Peer pressure plays an important role in shaping adolescent behavior as they seek approval and acceptance from their peers.
Ethics is defined as "the branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of specific actions and to the goodness and badness of motives and ends of those actions." In other words, it involves making choices based on what we believe to be morally right or wrong. Teenagers often face conflicts between their personal values and societal expectations when deciding whether or not to engage in certain behaviors.
Some parents teach their children that premarital sex is immoral, but many teenagers engage in sexual activity anyway because of peer pressure or curiosity. To navigate these moral dilemmas, teenagers must weigh their beliefs against external influences and determine how they feel about them.
Personal ethical convictions are deeply rooted in individual experiences and life lessons learned from family, friends, school, media, religion, and society. Adolescents may have varying opinions on issues such as gender identity, racism, classism, ableism, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and political affiliation.
A religious family may raise their child to oppose abortion, while a secular family may support pro-choice advocacy. Personal ethical convictions guide social action by informing individuals' stances on various topics, leading to activism, protests, campaigns, or conversations with others to promote change.
Internalized societal norms refer to the rules and guidelines adopted by an individual or group that align with dominant cultural values and practices. These norms can influence adolescent behavior and shape their perception of acceptable conduct.
Conformity can lead to acceptance within one's community, while nonconformity can lead to ostracism or negative judgment. Social norms also affect career choices, relationships, education, and other areas of life, making it challenging for teens to balance personal values and societal expectations.
To reconcile internalized societal norms with personal ethical convictions, teenagers need to reflect on their core values and beliefs and consider how those align with social norms. They can use critical thinking skills to analyze situations and make informed decisions based on their moral compass.
They can consult with trusted adults, mentors, or peers who share similar perspectives to gain insight into alternative viewpoints and options. Teenagers must also recognize the nuances of complex moral dilemmas and evaluate them from multiple angles before taking action.
Navigating conflicting societal norms and personal ethics is essential during adolescence as teenagers explore their identities and find their place in society. By reflecting on values, evaluating options, seeking guidance, and considering all sides of an issue, young people can reconcile internalized societal norms with personal ethical convictions to guide their social actions. It requires thoughtful consideration and self-reflection, but ultimately leads to a stronger sense of self-awareness, integrity, and social responsibility.
How do adolescents reconcile internalized societal norms with personal ethical convictions to guide social action?
Adolescence is an important stage of development characterized by physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that influence their behavioral patterns (McLeod, 2018). During this period, individuals begin to explore their identity and develop their belief systems through various experiences such as peer pressure, family relationships, and media exposure (Kaufman & Zimmerman, 2005).