Adolescence in Film Project

Adolescence in Film Project

To further our study of development during adolescence, we will examine films that represent these issues. Each pair will select an approved film and complete the five tasks detailed below. The paper is due 5/11 and we will share our findings in class.

Some suggested films: (you must clear other films with Mrs. Wilderman, no R ratings)

-  10 Things I Hate About You

-  Mean Girls

-  Sixteen Candles

-  Dead Poets Society

-  Emperors Club

-  Clueless

-  She’s All That

-  School Ties

-  Rebel Without a Cause

-  Say Anything

-  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

-  Juno

Part I – Erikson (10 pts)

Erikson argued that the major crisis of adolescence was identity formation. The struggle rests with our desire to be an individual on one hand and to conform on the other.

You must identify five (5) quotes from your film that support either or both sides of the above struggle, and justify your selections. Who is the speaker and what is the meaning of the quote? How does the quote illustrate individuality or conformity?

Part II – Marcia (20 pts)

James Marcia expanded Erikson’s ideas of identity formation and said we may develop one of four distinct identity states – diffused, moratorium, foreclosed, achieved.

Using the film, identify one example of each of Marcia’s 4 stages of identity status. Identify the character, the crisis (if present), and the commitment (if present). You may use a quote to illustrate your point(s). You must be as specific as possible in explaining why you think this individual illustrates the identity status.

Part III – Baumrind (5 pts)

Diana Baumrind classified four types of parenting styles – authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, and neglectful.

Which of Baumrind’s parenting styles is presented in the film? Identify the child and parents and two (2) specific examples of characteristics of that style. How are (un)responsiveness and (un)demandingness displayed?

Part IV – Kohlberg (5 pts)

Lawrence Kohlberg theorized on moral development and what a person weighs when making moral choices at different levels.

Choose any character from the film, identify a dilemma they face, and describe how they resolve it. Explain at what stage of moral development their decision places them and justify your position.

Part V – Choice (10 pts)

Gender – Choose a character and discuss how their gender is a benefit or a detriment to their identity formation. Does the character portray traditional sex roles (standards of behavior for given sexual identity)? Provide examples of behaviors/statements from the film that justify your answer.

Peer Pressure – There are a tremendous amount of pressures facing teens today, including the decision to use drugs and alcohol, as well as to become sexually active. Often they receive conflicting messages from the media, their peers, and their parents. Identify, in detail, two (2) different examples of pressures facing any of the teen characters. Explain how they handle the pressure and whether or not they are content with their decisions.

Cliques and Crowds – Adolescent groups arrange themselves into a social hierarchy. Cliques tend to be 5-7 people of the same sex and crowds are groupings of 2-4 cliques. While they offer security and promote socialization, they can also foster conformity, display prejudice, cause friction with parents, and damage self-esteem when rejection occurs. Identify the social hierarchy of groups in the film. Choose a character and identify examples of the positive and negative effects these groups have on teenagers.