Social institutions affect the identity formation of individuals Think about how you are affected...
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Transcript of Social institutions affect the identity formation of individuals Think about how you are affected...
Young Adult Issues
Impact of Institutions Social institutions affect the identity
formation of individuals• Think about how you are affected by:
Family The media Education Religion The economy Politics
Health Women statistically live longer than men
in Canada• What does this mean for caregiving?
Mental health issues are prevalent Since 1970, suicide rates have increased
(3500 people yearly, 2% of all deaths)• Caused by a sense of hopelessness and lack of
control• Men are 4x more likely to commit suicide than
women
Emile Durkheim (Sociologist) suggests suicide increases when expectations set by society are not met and a lack of control is felt• Society historically has lower expectations
for women in their roles, therefore they are less likely to commit suicide
• Women also form their identity through relationships with others so they are more likely to seek support
How would a Structural Functionalist explain? Symbolic interactionist?
Homelessness “Having no fixed place to sleep at night” The number of homeless youth has
increased by 80% in Toronto since 1992 26 000+ people in Toronto access the
homeless shelters 3 categories of causes:
• 1. Disruptive family conditions (i.e. abuse)• 2. Residential instability (i.e. foster care,
runaways)• 3. Financial Crisis (i.e. after living independently)
Most depend on begging or illegal means (selling drugs or sex) to meet basic needs
Health is compromised by high-risk lifestyle• Suffer more from infections, malnutrition, STIs
Rates of psychological disorders are high Street youth have a mortality rate 13x
higher than other youth Not likely to return to school, so they have
limited knowledge and skills How would the conflict theory explain??
Cultural Conflict Immigration creates challenges during
identity formation• Pressure to excel at school and work but
expectations can remain for traditional gender roles in the family
• Children of immigrant families are more likely to become assimilated into Canadian culture than their parents Why? Socialization at school
• Additional challenges arise when cultural values conflict between the country of origin and new country
Access to Education 70% of high school students say the
cost of post-secondary education is a barrier
87% of Canadian parents hope their children will go to college/university but many cannot help pay
Many fear the debts after graduation• Students from lower income
families will have more debt• Tuitions continue to increase
yearly
Multiple Roles Having multiple roles can create
personal conflict and stress• What are the roles of young adults?
Student, volunteer, employee, friend, son/daughter, sibling, caregiver, etc.
• Sandwich generation – young adults acting as both caregivers for their children and aging parents
Task: Youth Survival Kit Create a “survival kit” that lists items
a young person needs to make it through the issues we discussed today
Include advice and resources in your kit as well (i.e. where can they go for help?)