Textbook: The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture (Kim Gale Dolgin – 13th Edition)
You should study Chapter 3, before attempting to respond to this RT.
Look at the video. “A girl like me”.

Please refer to Quality of comments:
Insightful and original comments with special significance to the assigned topics, with strong emphasis on knowledge and

theory of adolescence development.
Thoughtful and interesting comments indicating good understanding of the assigned topic, with strong emphasis on knowledge

and theory of adolescence development.
You need to write response 300-350 words.

Question:
1. Please watch the video “A Girl Like Me” and provide commentary based on concepts learned so far in this course.
Please read Chapter 3 from textbook and site specific concepts/theories from the textbook.
Include a minimum of one direct quote from the textbook, chapter 3 (please include the textbook page number and chapter in

your answer).
Your response:

2. Also share/write your personal view on this issue.
Your response:

Example:
This is an example of how the work supposed to look.
Do not copy or rewrite! Write your own/original work!!!

““Loud, obnoxious, ghetto”, this was one of the first stereotypes of African Americans we hear about in the video. For the

most part we’ve all created cultural stereotypes about certain minority groups. Although stereotypes may have some truth

about an entire culture, it’s important not to extend generalizations to individuals. Individuals’ behaviors and attitudes

are impacted by factors other than culture. The dynamics that exist between ethnicity and social economic status means

“many low-SES adolescents are socialized differently from middle-class youths. They have their own manner of dress,

speech, and behavior. Those who seem loud, ill mannered, or aggressive are scorned by middle-class society.”(Pg. 59) The

video brings to life issues that minority adolescents are facing each day in our nation: creating a sense of identity

while facing a world with economic challenges, societal discrimination, and facing cross-cultural differences.
The subcultural groups discussed in this week’s chapter: African Americans, Latinos, and Native/ Asian Americans all

present the same salient struggle, economic hardships. Seeing that the dissolution of families as well as out-of wedlock

births are on the rise, it’s clear to see the financial impacts of these situations. Especially those homes left with

female parents as head of households. Notably, higher rates of adolescent pregnancies in minorities contribute to the

cycle of poverty and lack of education. For these reasons they’re more likely to suffer from stress and health problems

creating a sense of helplessness and instability. In the video these emotions are mirrored when the girls describe how

society perceives them, “we’re not viewed as smart we have to prove ourselves, they see us as ghetto girls.” Conversely,

other minorities such as Asian Americans have assimilated well due to their emphasis on higher education. As a whole

education has contributed to them enjoying a higher socioeconomic status. However, they are not exempt from

discrimination.
Secondly, societal discrimination is a prevalent problem that has affected minority adolescents. For example, the video

mentions the doll study conducted by Dr. Kenneth Clark after desegregation took place in the 1950’s and compared the

results from the same test made in recent times, and surprisingly they yielded the same results. 15 out of 20 black

children chose white dolls over black ones because they were perceived as, “nicer, and more beautiful.” The girls in the

video also echo the same standards of beauty as, “straight lighter hair over kinky hair, and lighter skin over dark.” Our

society has affected their perception of the socially acceptable standards of beauty.
Lastly, teens in sub cultural groups within our society struggle with cross cultural differences. For instance, the

African American girls in the video explained their frustration with their lack of cultural heritage. While the teens in

the Asian American adolescent video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPVYV92jGuI) in our module struggled with the

unyielding standards of education expected from them by their parents. Likewise, Latino’s culture of “emphasis on family

ties and dependency, submission to authority, living in the present, and politeness are not conducive to independence,

achievement, deferred gratification, and success.” (Pg. 69) Therefore, these adolescent must overcome poverty, and

discrimination to find a sense of identity in a middle ground between their culture and the host culture.”