A Changing Social Landscape

Dear New Teacher,

Do me a favor, think back to when you were an adolescent. How did you communicate with friends? Did you have to work to support yourself? What was your family situation like? Was violence a part of your reality?

Chances are good that your experience as an adolescent is markedly different from that of the students sitting in your classroom. The face of the American adolescence is constantly evolving, and there are important elements that you should be aware of as an educator.

Kim Gale Dolgin (2011) presents seven societal changes that are or will affect the experiences of modern adolescents;

• the prolongation of adolescence,
• the presence of the Internet and other new communication tools,
• the changing economy,
• the ever-increasing need for a prolonged education,
• alterations in the makeup of the family,
• shifting sexual values and practices,
• and new concerns for health and safety (p.9).

Now you might be thinking, “Aren’t these things that occur outside of the classroom, leaving me little control over them?” Yes, they are societal shifts however as an educator you must be aware that they are a reality of the adolescent experience in order to better understand and connect with your student.

A question for you: What are the benefits of understanding the evolving social context of adolescence? How does it impact your role as an educator?

Best,

Mallory