Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

Journal #3
Ages- 13- 19 years old
Raquel Munoz
March 28, 2015
HD 300
C. Franklin

Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

2
Interview

Interviewer: George, 16 years old teenager

I decided to interview my nephew, as I thought he would be the perfect fit for the
interview. When I called him, he was a little hesitant when I ask him what I needed from him.
After reassuring him that I would not tell no one, he was ok with the interview. George falls in
the 5th stage of Erikson's theory, "Identity vs. Role Confusion". I am definitely connecting issues
discuss in Erikson's theory. The following are questions I ask him during the interview:
1. How important is it for you to wear the up to date clothing/ accessories?
"Very important" I must have a hair cut every 3-4 weeks and wear clothing that is not faded,
specially my black jeans. When I have a fresh hair cut, I wear my best cloths vs. when my hair is
growing; I wear my least liking cloths." I guess it doesn't really matter too cause I have a cute
face" he noted.
2. How do you rate yourself in popularity at school?
A "9", because I have lots of friends and I am very respected and liked.
3. What does having "freedom" mean to you?
Being able to go out and my parents not worrying about me. Doing what you want to do.
4. Do you think about your future after high school?
Yes, I want to become a police officer. I am currently in the cadet program.
5. If you parents had a quote to remind you everyday of something, what would it be?
Treat someone the way you would like to be treated.

Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

6. Do you feel you can talk to your parents about sex, alcohol, drugs, and relationships?
Not my mom because she always disagrees with me. I feel my dad understands me.
7. Who do you trust the most?
My grandma, she never fails me, always gives me the best advice and I could count on her.
8. Are you allowed to date?
Yes. My parents weren't ok with it but finally accepted it.
9. How is your relationship with your parents?
Good, we are open with each other and communicate.
10. At any point, have you ever been bullied or know someone that was bullied?
Yes, when I was in 8th grade, a kid in class was bullied for being chubby. Other kids would call
him names.
As I was asking him questions, Erikson's states that "Adolescents can now think about other
people's thinking and wonder what other people think of him". George is always assuming what
other people think of him that's why he is always matching his cloths, and looking good at
school. He wants to be known, as well as fitting in at school and in the group.
Other factors were also discussed. His parent wouldn't allow him to date until the age of
16 but he convinced them to let him at 15 yrs. old even though he did not have a girl friend at the
time. His mom had a harder time accepting him dating so early because he mention that she
didn't date until the age of 18 years old. He said that he wish his parent gave him more freedom.

Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

To him freedom is being able to do whatever you want. He feels that his parents don't trust him,
"My mom always needs to know where and with who I will be with". He stated "I don't give
them a reason not to trust me; I get upset when they don't let me go out"
My nephew completely reminds me of myself growing up as I felt I didn't have the
freedom to go out with my friends. I also felt that my parents didn't understand me. I couldn't
understand how they always worried about me if I didn't give them a reason to. Now that I'm
older, I completely understand why they worried so much. Things can happen at any moment
and when you are young and naive you tend to make "stupid" decisions. The way he answered to
my questions is the way I would have also answer at his age. Teenagers just want to be able to go
out and have "freedom" without thinking of responsibilities. The difference between my nephew
and myself are that I was never open with my parents as he is with his parents. My parents were
very close minded. I wasnt able to talk to them about neither puberty nor relationships growing
up. Where my nephew talks to his parents about anything.
During my readings on the Lost Boys (1999), I found that children that become violent,
mostly are the ones that did not have that secure attachment as babies. "Good attachment does
not inoculate a child against later misfortune, but it does get the child off on the right
foot"(Garbarino.1999 p.39). During my nephews early years, he did have that secure attachment
with his parents and was also able to bond with his grandparents and myself. We were constantly
part of his life as a baby and throughout his 16 years of his life." We must never underestimate
the value of love as the most important nutrient for the soul" (Garbarino.1999 p.37). I believe
this quote is very important for which any individual must feel the sensation of being loved and
with that component; they learned to love back and start to develop empathy. Children that are
violent are lacking these components as they grow up not to care and not having a sense of

Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

connection to their surroundings. Most definitely George is no saint, as we all have our
differientialties and disagreements but as I read the book, he is very different from those children
mentioned.
As a child, I grew up in a violence environment. Where the streets that I lived in were
surround by "cholos". Growing up in those streets did not make me be afraid. I saw boys being
initiated into a gang and being beaten. Girls as well. Because I grew up in that neighborhood and
the boys that were cholos were once my friends in our elementary years, they were cool with me.
Reflecting on it now, that was not a safe environment for me. I completely agree with the book,
as it has good information and really talks in depth regarding violent kids.

Running head: Ages 13-19 years old

Reference

Garbarino, J. (1999). Lost boys: Why our sons turn violent and how we can save them. New
York: Free Press.