The term culture is defined as patterns of beliefs, values, goals, and behavioral practices that are characteristic of an institution, organization, or group (Prout & Brown, Ed., 2007, p. 65). Children and adolescents engage in their own unique culture, and there are many powerful factors that influence child and adolescent behavior. For example, children in kindergarten may express great affection for a popular cartoon character; however, children in first grade may consider such affection to be a sign of immaturity. The Internet is a popular source of communication among adolescents, and the culture of constant access has broken down barriers of privacy. This often has led to varying degrees of bullying or harassment. Clinicians working with children and adolescents must be knowledgeable of contemporary youth culture and the ways it can impact a child’s or adolescent’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

For this Discussion, select a magazine, news article, or some contemporary item depicting contemporary youth culture, and consider the core messages communicated through the magazine, news article, or contemporary item. Think about how these messages might impact children and adolescents and how your knowledge or lack of knowledge of this item might affect your ability to be an effective child and adolescent clinician.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post a brief description of the magazine, news article, or contemporary item you selected. Then, explain two core cultural messages communicated through the magazine, news article, or contemporary item. Next, explain how one way these core messages could positively affect a child or adolescent. Then, explain one way it could negatively affect a child or adolescent and how. Finally, explain how your understanding of contemporary youth culture may help you be an effective child and adolescent clinician. Be specific.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the week’s resources.

Required Readings

Cerecer, P.D.Q. (2013). Independence, dominance, and power: (Re) examining the impact of school policies on the academic development of indigenous youth. Theory Into Practice, 52, 196- 202.
Chernoff, N., & Widdicombe, S. (2015). ‘I was bored so…’: motivational accounts of participation in an online emo group. Journal of Youth Studies, 18(3), 305-321.
Crowe, J. (n.d.). Ethics of self-disclosure with children and adolescents. Social Work Today. Retrieved from http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_070814.shtml
Goodrich, K., & Mangleburg, T. F. (2010). Adolescent perceptions of parent and peer influences on teen purchase: An application of social power theory. Journal of Business Research, 63(12), 1328– 1335.
As you review this article, consider how parents and peers influence the purchasing power of children and adolescents. Focus on how this relates to contemporary youth culture.
Hodkinson, P. (2016). Youth cultures and the rest of life: subcultures, post-subcultures and beyond. Journal of Youth Studies, 19(5), 629-645.
Laursen, E. K. (2014). Respectful youth cultures. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 22(4), 48-52.
Mrug, S., & McCay, R. (2013). Parental and peer disapproval of alcohol use and its relationship to adolescent drinking: Age, gender and racial differences. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(3), 604–614.
As you review this article, consider the perceptions of peer and parental disapproval of alcohol use to adolescent drinking. Focus on how this relates to contemporary youth culture.
Van Den Beemt, A., Akkerman, S., & Simons, R-J. (2010). The use of interactive media among today’s youth: Results of a survey. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 1158–1165.
As you review this article, consider the effects of media among today’s youth. Focus on how interactive media relates to contemporary youth culture.

Required Media

Random Acts of Kindness. (2015, March 9). Myths of the adolescent brain-Dan Siegel [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=273&v=WDQaEx-0K6U