Philippine E-Journals

Paradox of the Adoslescent: A Rediscovery

Clarissa F. Delariarte

Discipline: Psychology

 

Abstract:

Every adolescent faces a lot of changes. Physical transformation goes with a host of psychological changes such as self-doubt, questionings, fears, and anxieties aggravated by sexting, cyber bullying, Facebook depression, and social media syndrome. In a stage considered to be both unstable and in turmoil, adolescents have been labeled as “lost generation” and “kids lost in cyberspace.” Recognizing such stage of development, especially in the absence parenting, teachers and significant others need to be the adolescent’s champions as they keep them safe from monsters, to model strength of character, and to walk away from temptations. This is why they need opportunities to bring out the best in them as they overcome their issues like being lost in cyberspace. Using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) as its main methodology, the researcher analyzed the personal discoveries of 48 Third Year Psychology students of the SY 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 through journal writing. Two (2) open-ended questions related to their experience of answering nineteen (19) journal prompts and focus group discussions served as its main data collection technique. In ensuring multiple perspectives and arrive at a consensus of the domains, core ideas or themes and cross analysis of the responses, three judges sat down together to analyze the responses. Personal discoveries of the adolescent have five domains, which include understanding and accepting one’s self, finding courage, understanding and accepting others, forgiving and letting go and expressing one’s self. A number of categories were identified for each domain. Analysis of data leads to a rediscovery of the paradoxical nature of the adolescent. Several implications were inferred for the adolescent, including parenting, teaching and other allied school programs.