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Essay Questions:  Please provide an answer for 1 of the foll…

Essay Questions:  Please provide an answer for 1 of the following essay questions.  Be sure your answer is developed and concise.  Please use correct grammar, complete sentences, etc. Discuss the process of the search for identity for the adolescent; particularly address the fact that since identity is a lifelong process, what gives it such significance during this time period?   Please talk about the role of the self-concept, self-esteem, self-consciousness etc. as the teenager engages in the progression of finding an identity.  What are the primary influences on the adolescent and what would you recommend parents, teachers, and other adults do to be supportive and allow them the most opportunities to find their identity?  Please use examples to illustrate your answer.  Describe and explain Erik Erikson’s theory and how it relates to identity development. According to his theory, how does this process work? What are the parts of their lives an adolescent must consider when they are searching for an identity?  What did he consider to be negative identities and what might occur for the adolescent’s identity to result in these states? Be sure to include examples of each of these elements in your answer.     Describe and explain James Marcia’s theory of identity development? What are the possible states he proposed that could be the result of this search.  How does ethnic identity play a role in overall his identity theory?  Based on Marcia’s work, what would be the recommendations you would provide to an adolescent while they are in this process?  Be sure to include examples in your answer.  Gender identity is a key component for a person’s self-identity, but it can be complicated. Please describe the biological, cognitive (be sure to include Kohlberg (1966) Cognitive-Developmental Theory of Gender) and social/context influences on gender identity.  How do gender stereotypes play a part in this aspect of development?  To illustrate your answer, please chronicle a person (male or female) and explain specifically how they would be influenced by these factors as they start the process of trying to find an identity.  As always, specific examples should be included in your answer.  What does the term transgender mean? In your answer discuss some of issues that can exist during adolescence for an individual who is transgender.  .  Please include in your answer what is meant by social and biological transitions and the role they play for the transgender teen.  What is the recommendation for parents, peers, schools, etc to help teens who are transgender have a positive experience during adolescence? As part of your answer, please discuss the impact on transgender teens that various states and the federal government are proposing (and in some cases have already implemented) laws that prohibit schools from discussing sexuality with students.  Make sure to include clear examples as part of your answer and cite any relevant research. If most teens are having sex, (research indicates that 57 % of teens are sexually active in high school), why is there not a commensurate increase in their use of birth control?  Is sex education the answer?  What about “virginity pledges” and “abstinence only” programs? According to research, if sex education programs are offered, what should be included in an effective sex education program?  If you included contraception in your curriculum, what is the best way to present the information so that teens have a change in their behavior?  What do you suggest? Please supplement your answer with specific examples. Teen pregnancy is a potential outcome when teens have unprotected sex.  What factors or decisions are likely to lead to teen pregnancy for both boys and girls?  What are the consequences/risks  for the teen and her baby?  How would you advise a young teen who is pregnant (and her family) to help her minimize the negative impact of facing a pregnancy while still an adolescent? Please be specific and clear and give examples.