Lesson 2

1. Lesson 2 Developing Personal Identity and Character

2. Journal Entry • What are your interests and talents? Write in full detail and describe how those interests and talents might play a role in your future.

3. Your Personal Identity • Sense of yourself as a unique individual • Depends on your age and circumstances • Other parts are unique and one of a kind

4. How Identity Forms • One of the most important tasks you will accomplish during your teen years

5. How Identity Forms • Formed by recognizing your likes and dislikes • Influence of your relationships with your family and friends • When you mature you will meet a wider variety of people and also begin to form your own opinions • As your experiences broaden, you’ll develop likes and dislikes based on how your experiences fit your values and beliefs

6. How Identity Forms • Identify a role model (someone whose success or behavior serve as an example for you) • Identity will change as your interests change • May struggle with alternatives and choices but eventually will develop a sense of your own values, interests, beliefs, occupational goals, and relationship expectations.

7. Aspects of Identity • Personality = complex set of characteristics that makes you unique • Personality determines how your react to certain situations • It sets you apart from other people • Family, your ethnic group, and friends also define who you are

8. The Importance of Good Character • Character is an important part of identity (the distinctive qualities that describe how a person thinks, feels and behaves.) • Good character is an outward expression of inner values • Vital part of a healthy identity • Person with good character demonstrates core ethical values (Responsibility, honesty, respect, etc…)

9. Traits of Good Character • 6 traits to describe good character. Demonstrating these traits on a regular basis shows you have integrity (a frim observance of core ethical values) • Trustworthiness • Respect • Responsibility • Fairness • Caring • Citizenship

10. Working Towards a Positive Identity • You control who You become • As you get older, you begin making more personal choices and decisions

11. Recognize Your Strength and Weaknesses • Analyze your strengths and weaknesses by being honest and realistic • Evaluate weakness without being too critical • With planning and commitment, you can improve habits

12. Demonstrate Positive Values • Practicing good character helps build a positive identity • Ex: if you’re an honors student and feeling the need and pressure to cheat on exam could harm your self-esteem, reputation or both

13. Develop a Sense of Purpose • Helps you set goals and work towards achieving them • Provides a framework to build a healthy identity • Some goals will be short and long term

14. Form Meaningful Relationships • Meaningful relationships are crucial to developing identity • Provide a support system which helps build confidence and develop a sense of security and belong • Constructive Criticism may be given from family and friends –non hostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement

15. Avoid Unhealthful High-Risk Behaviors • Taking risks is a part of life • Examples of healthful risks are playing sports, artistic/creative activities, public speaking, making friends • They help challenge you develop skills to mature in new ways • Examples of unhealthful risks: drugs, tobacco, alcohol, reckless driving • These are harmful and dangerous

16. Contribute to the Community • Extended support system • Provides services and resources to meet your needs • Community remains strong when all members participate in making it work • Give back and volunteer

17. Journal Entry • Who in your life do you consider your role model? In your journal write about your role model. Why are they your role model? What do they do? What have they done specifically to influence you? Explain in full detail.