First Week

What role should high schools have, or should they take a role, in adolescents struggles with negative identity formation (rebellion)? Or should they only concentrate on positive identity formation?

 Schools have become the environment where interventions are being implemented to address issues outside of academics, and research has shown that the teacher-student relationship has an influence on student mental health. The data shows that the mental health of students has been declining and suicidality is rising. The research indicates that at least 20% of students have mental health concerns and only 21% of those students are receiving treatment (I can give citation if needed) - and that is what is known, so the actual numbers may be worse than reported. Diversity is important. Recognition that not all people look, think, love, or act the same and learning to respect and appreciate the differences is so important. I believe that high schools should take a role in adolescent struggles with negative identity formation. The expectation that it is healthy for all students to form the same, prescribed identity is ludicrous and most likely contributes to maladaptive mental health outcomes. Students should be encouraged to embrace who they really are and schools can help students navigate the integration of their identity with the expectations of society. I would love to see teacher education expanded to have a relational, mental health, trauma-informed component to give teachers additional tools to use to build meaningful relationships with students. I would also like for schools to have school social workers to help both students and staff with mental health concerns. The gender-based identities I see promoted in many high schools (male: white, athletic; female: white, attractive) does not work for the majority of students, so rebellion against that identity is healthy for students and should be supported by high schools. The curriculum can be used to present different identities or ways of being. The other thing to consider is how schools currently reinforce identity "norms" through what accomplishments are celebrated and what is ignored, what students are appropriately educated (gifted and certain other exceptional students are often not appropriately supported), and who gets away with stuff and who gets disciplined. Schools already have a role, whether intended or not.

Comments

  1. Theresa HowellMay 19, 2019 at 6:26 PM

    Teachers should definitely take an active role in negative identity formation. I firmly believe that rebellion, questioning, and resisting authority are all a normal part of adolescence, it can too far and lead to antisocial behavior, isolation, other mental health issues and maladaptive behaviors. I think teachers can and should intervene and provide support, guidance, and possible creative outlets.
    I think schools still tend to praise conformity, academic, and athletic achievement over other creative and non-traditional activities. Providing an inclusive curriculum is one extremely important way to begin to address issues that may arise with negative identity formation. Schools need to make other forms of support readily available and should definitely provide teachers with training and access the resources they need in order to best support their students.

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