Lesson 2

Developing Personal Identity and Character

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.

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

How Identity Forms

One of the most important tasks you will accomplish during your teen years

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

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.

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

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…)

Traits of Good Character

6 traits to describe good character. Demonstrating these traits on a regular basis shows you have integrity (a firm observance of core ethical values)

Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

Working Towards a Positive Identity You control who You become As you get older, you begin making more

personal choices and decisions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.