Peer Pressure

1. List some benefits of increasing the number and quality of friendships during adolescent teen years.
They are a key to development. They provide a safe venue where the youth can explore and find who they are, and they feel accepted. They also allow youth to build social skills for the future.

2. What fears do parents face as their teens become more independent and more focused on their relationships with friends as opposed to them(their parents)?

Fall under negative peer influence, and reject their families' values and beliefs. 

3. List examples of positive peer pressure.

-Follow rules
-Respect others
-Punctuality
-Stop bad habits
-Uplifting activities
-Postponing dating
-non underage drinking

4. List examples of negative peer pressure.

-Starting in drugs or drinking
-Vandalism
-Bullying
-Disrespectful language
-Misuse and disrespect of authority
-Manipulation
-Attitude towards other people
-Wear certain clothing
-Listen to specific music

5. Do you agree with the statement below? Why or why not?

"While it seems that teens are influenced by their peers, parents continue to be the most influential factor in their lives."

I do agree with it. Because the parents gave the youth, the child their start. Youth seem to have the same views as their parents. And especially when the relationship is positive, that seeps into other relationships outside of parent-child relationships. 

7. List and describe 4 strategies to cope with peer pressure.

   1. Nurture teens' abilities and self esteem: with positive self-concept and self-worth will be stronger in facing the temptations of following negative pressure and influences. And it can be essential in aspects of development positively 
   2. Encourage positive relationships between significant adults and teens: A positive and constructive relationship between teens and parents, teachers, or professionals can prove to be good models. And youth can develop positive qualities about themselves.
   3. Equip youth with skills to resist negative behaviors: help youth analyse and see a situation to make the proper decisions. Help them to see the positive and the negative sides in decisions. 
   4. Teach youth exit strategies or ways to say NO: Talk to youth about potential scenarios, and think them through together. 

Self-Concept & Self-Esteem

1. Do you agree with the opening/heading sentence?

I definitely agree with the heading, "Instead of purchasing programs to enhance self-esteem, principals should focus on helping students develop their strengths in a supportive environment", because I think that we receive more self-esteem from the interaction from those that we associate with, from those that we know. 

2. Describe the difference between Self-Esteem and Self-Concept

Self-esteem is a persons overall evaluation of self. Including feelings in general happiness and satisfaction.
Self-concept is an idea of the self, constructed from the beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others.

3. How has your self-concept grown in the past 2 years

I think that over the past two years, I have been more decisive in who I want to be, who I am becoming, and where I want to go. And I think that it has helped my self-concept grow, because I have become more comfortable with who I am. And with that comfort, the responses I get are positive from others, because they see that I know where I am going, and with negative reactions, I'm able to brush it off, because I know that everyone is different, and we all have our own ways of doing things, and our own way of viewing things.

4. What are your domains of importance?

School
Family
Religion
Food
Balance of fun
Self
Music
Happiness

5. What is the "normal-curve" that is referenced in the Reducing the Availability of Social Comparison Cues? How does it apply to grading practices? Do you agree with the method outlined, "avoiding grading that allows only a few students to achieve high grades?"
I have looked into this and read the article, and I really cannot find the answer to this question. 

Eating Well on the Cheap

1. What are the differences between canned fruit or vegetables and fresh fruit or vegetables?

There isn't much of a difference between canned and fresh fruit and vegetables. If the fruit is canned in 100% juice and frozen vegetables have the same nutritional value. And then, for those who don't eat the fresh food before it goes bad, you don't have to eat it right away. And it contains the nutritional value.

2. What "convenience" foods do you enjoy? Why should you try to avoid them?

Top Ramen is a convenience food that I enjoy. I think that if I replace them with real food like whole wheat pasta, it increases the nutritional value.
Sonic's grilled cheese sandwiches: homemade grilled cheese sandwiches with real cheese and whole wheat bread.
I think that I should try and avoid them because there are better foods just like them that can be homemade and the nutritional value of the meal will increase.

3. What tips can you give your parents from this article?

To not worry about time. Give time for planning, and time for spending in the store. To purchase healthier foods going around what is already in the pantry, fridge, etc. When buying food, go with a plan and to not go in isles that will bring temptations to purchase things that aren't necessary and aren't the healthiest choices.

Choose Your 200 Calories

What 200 calories looks like

Which food do you think has the most calories? How did you come to this conclusion?

Butter

Gummy bears

Canola oil

I came to this conclusion because it doesn't take very much canola oil, or butter to make up 200 calories. Especially compared to some of the other foods. 

Which food has the least amount of calories? How did you come to this conclusion?

Apples

Celery

Mini Peppers

Onions

I came to this conclusion due to the comparison to the foods with higher amounts of calories. It takes a higher amount of food to reach the 200 caloric amount than some of the other foods.

Which food surprises you the most? Why? 

Mini peppers

Peanut butter

I couldn't just choose one that surprised me the most. I chose these two in speaking of a comparison. There's only a little amount of peanut butter compared to an over flowing plate of mini peppers. 

Coping with Grief & Loss

1. What is the right way to grieve?
Allow the feelings of sorrow, but don't let the feelings consume you and your life.
Accepting the fact that the grieving process will take time. Healing happens over time, slowly, gradually. Be patient with yourself and allow the process to unfold.

2. Define grief.
Grief is a response to loss. It is the emotional suffering you feel when someone or something you love, is taken away. Deep sorrow.

3. Name a few things that can lead to someone grieving.
A relationship breakup
A loved one's serious illness
Loss of a friendship
A miscarriage
Loss of a cherished dream
Death of a loved one

4. What are the 5 stages of grief?
  -Denial
  -Anger
  -Bargaining
  -Depression
  -Acceptance

5. What can you do to help someone who is grieving?
Asking about what they are going through, what they are feeling. Let them feel like they can speak without being judged. Listen to what they tell you. Not just hearing, but really listening.