Nurturing Self-Identity and Building Strong Relationships with Youth

Nurturing Self-Identity and Building Strong Relationships with Youth

Self-identity is important. I spent time with my granddaughter, Braelyn, this weekend. During our time together shopping, she shared how it was important for many girls to be like the girls of influence in TikTok. I shared with her the importance of self-identity. Each of us is unique from head to toe. Trying to force ourselves to look and be like others we see on the screen without knowing anything personal about them can defeat our ego. Social media platforms like TikTok can create pressure to conform to certain ideals or trends, sometimes leading to a loss of individuality and self-esteem.

From our weekend together, I learned and reflected on the importance of the following:

·?????Listening actively and respectfully to her views, opinions, and experiences is essential.

·?????Be open and honest in our conversations with young people.

·?????Open to learning something new about yourself and the world around you through the eyes of youth.?

·?????Approach them with empathy, openness, and a willingness to learn and grow together.

·?????Create safe and inclusive spaces where young people can grow, learn, and thrive.

·?????Supporting community-based programs and initiatives that provide young people access to education, mentorship, and other support resources.

In today's fast-paced and digitally connected world, it can be challenging for young people to develop a strong self-identity and maintain healthy relationships with others. With social media and other technologies playing an ever-increasing role, young people can feel pressured to conform to specific trends and ideals, sometimes leading to a loss of individuality and self-esteem.?By building a village of support today, we can help young people develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in the future. We can also foster a mutual respect and understanding culture that values young people's unique perspectives and experiences and encourages them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Define this. Building a village of support means creating a network of caring adults and peers committed to young people's well-being and success. This may involve working collaboratively with parents, educators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to create safe and inclusive environments where young people can grow and thrive. Building a village of support for the future requires investing in today's community. This means recognizing the importance of building strong, inclusive, and supportive communities that prioritize the well-being and success of young people.

I realized it is important to encourage my granddaughter to develop a solid self-identity to help her navigate these challenges and stay true to herself. She needs to understand that her unique qualities and experiences make her who she is and that she doesn't need to change herself to fit in or be liked by others.

As we talked, I encouraged Braelyn to cultivate her self-identity to explore her interests and passions. By pursuing activities, she enjoys, she can develop a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can boost her self-confidence and help her feel more comfortable in her skin.

Additionally, I reminded her that social media is just one small part of life and that the people and experiences she encounters in the real world are much more critical. By building solid relationships and connections with others, she can develop a sense of belonging and security that can help her navigate the pressures of social media with greater ease.

Each time I spend with Braelyn is extraordinary, and I give her my undivided attention. Sometimes, this means changing my plans to ensure she has my time. We must take the time to talk with the youth in our lives. We must listen to them as well. Always remember that conversation takes more than one person, so there will be varying views. However, being open to listening and participating is crucial.

Having meaningful conversations with the youth in our lives is crucial to building strong relationships and helping them develop a sense of self-identity. By taking the time to have these conversations, we can gain valuable insights into the world of young people and help them feel heard and valued. It's important to remember that conversation takes more than one person, and we should be open to listening to and participating in different viewpoints and perspectives.

Moreover, it's essential to encourage young people to explore their interests and passions, as this can help them develop a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can boost their self-confidence and help them feel more comfortable in their skin.

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As adults, we can also help young people understand that social media is just one small part of life and that the people and experiences they encounter in the real world are much more critical for building sustainable relationships with them. By building solid relationships and connections with others, they can develop a sense of belonging and security that can help them navigate the pressures of social media with greater ease.

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We must recognize that young people often have unique perspectives and experiences that can help us see the world differently. By being open to learning from them, we can build stronger relationships and foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding. This can help young people develop critical thinking and communication skills and encourage them to explore and express their ideas and opinions.

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Adding to this, it sometimes means that to make time for reliable, uninterrupted communication with youth, we must change our schedules sometimes and move in the direction of community with them. Making time for them and prioritizing their needs is essential to build strong relationships with young people. This may mean adjusting our schedules and routines to create dedicated time for uninterrupted communication and engagement with youth.

In conclusion, by creating a sense of community, we can help young people feel connected and supported and encourage them to develop a sense of purpose and belonging that can be critical to their overall understanding of self-identity and well-being. Building solid relationships with youth requires a willingness to make time for them, prioritize their needs, and create a community fostering mutual respect, understanding, and support. By doing so, we can help young people develop a sense of self-identity and confidence that will serve them well throughout their lives. Nurturing self-identity and building solid relationships with youth is crucial to their well-being and development. By engaging in meaningful conversations with them, encouraging them to pursue their passions, and fostering a culture of openness and learning, we can help young people develop a strong sense of self and thrive in today's complex and ever-changing world.

How do we do this? We can start by re-educating adults by offering a course on building a village to support young people. Such a course could help adults learn how to create safe and inclusive spaces for young people, communicate effectively, and develop positive relationships. It could also cover topics such as fostering self-identity, promoting mental health and well-being, and supporting youth-focused initiatives.

Additionally, the course could provide resources and strategies for engaging with young people in different settings, such as schools, community centers, and online platforms. By offering a course on building a village of support for young people, we can help equip adults with the skills and knowledge they need to create a brighter future for young people and our communities.

Course outline for a program on building a village of support for young people:

Understanding Youth

• Introduction to youth development theory
• Overview of adolescent brain development
• Understanding the importance of positive adult-youth relationships

Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces

·?????Strategies for creating safe and inclusive spaces for young people.

·?????How to promote a sense of belonging and community among youth

·?????Tips for establishing clear expectations and boundaries.

Communication Skills

·?????Effective communication strategies for engaging with young people

·?????Techniques for active listening and empathetic responding

·?????Nonverbal communication and its impact on relationships

Fostering Self-Identity

·?????The importance of promoting self-identity and self-esteem among young people

·?????Methods for helping young people recognize their strengths and interests.

·?????Strategies for encouraging young people to develop their unique identities.

Promoting Mental Health and Well-being

·?????Understanding the challenges facing young people in terms of mental health and well-being

·?????Techniques for providing emotional support and creating safe spaces for young people to talk about their experiences.

·?????Strategies for promoting resilience and coping skills among young people.

Supporting Youth-Focused Initiatives

·?????Overview of youth-focused initiatives and community-based programs

·?????Strategies for supporting young people's involvement in community activities and initiatives.

·?????Tips for building partnerships with other community stakeholders to support youth development.?

Engaging with Young People in Different Settings

·?????Techniques for engaging with young people in different settings, including schools, community centers, and online platforms.

·?????Strategies for adapting communication styles and approaches based on the setting and audience.

·?????Tips for building positive relationships with young people in diverse contexts.

By covering these topics, this course could equip adults with the knowledge and skills they need to build strong and supportive relationships with young people and create a brighter future for our communities.?

If this article piques your interest and you are interested in collaborating or investing resources in seeing it come to life and be implemented in our communities. Let’s talk. Please reach out to me on LinkedIn.?

Marilyn, Carroll, Ph.D. MBA, MED

Mother, Grandmother, Writer, Researcher, Professor, Entrepreneur