Biological_Changes

Adolescence is a period of biological, emotional and physical changes that brings about turmoil as well as peace; this helps shape an individual, and fulfill the transition from childhood to adulthood. The movie ‘ Sisterhood of the traveling pants’, helps portray these emotional conflicts, and changes by capturing the lives of four adolescent friends, and the struggles they endure. The movie starts with one of the characters, named Carmen, narrating the story of how the four friends met. All four friend’s mothers met at a pre natal aerobic class; where they all had similar due dates. Ever since their birth, the four of them have been best of friends. They shared each other ups and downs, despite their vast difference in characters. First one to be born was Bridget; she was considered wild and an amazing soccer player, who had recently lost her mother. The next one was Tibby, she was a rebel and also an aspiring videographer. Then there was Carmen, the writer, whose dad left home when she was very young. And finally, there was shy Lena, who was an artist. While on vacation, each of the three friends go through certain obstacles while separated from each other; it was in these trying times, that they used the pants as a form of comfort. This movie captured and portrayed some of the fundamental characteristics and formal theories that adolescents go through such as autonomy and dependence on peers, Erickson’s theory of identity, peak of an individual’s creative talents and finally the loss of egocentrism. Another example of autonomy was seen, when Bridget’s mom passed away. All three friends were there for her emotional support. Although Bridget seemed tough initially, she dealt with by suppressing it. It was only later on the movie that the suppressed feelings arose and she ended up confiding in her friends, instead of her father. Ryan and Lynch suggested that susceptibility to peer pressure is related to the security of attachment to parents. Teens, who did not receive the needed support from their parents, tend to flock to their friends to fill that void. We can see an example of this, when Carmen gets blown by her father’s new family and new changes. Although she was emotionally secure by her mother, she lacked having a father figure. And thus it was hard for her to accept his new family, thus leading her to turn to her friends for support. Since this whole movie was based on the friendship of these four friends, they even made it clear several times, by referring to the pants as their bond. Before they left they made several rules regarding the pants they were going to pass around each other and exchange. After they made the rules, they ended the session by saying “Love your sisters, love yourself”. Every challenge, pain, joy or sorrow they went through, they would rather share it with each other, than their parents. They felt more comfortable with each other, and trusted each other. It was easier for them to relate, since they were the same age. This was a little contradicting sometimes. For example, when Tibby the rebel wanted to get a piercing, they all ran to change her mind. They would sometimes act like each other’s parent. This showed that adolescents would rather listen to their friends act like parents, than listen to their own parents. Many theorists suggest that it is during the adolescent period, that all our creative talents that reside in us reach its peak. According to Dr. Nunley, the hypothalamus in an adolescent’s brain grows really big and this is the part of the brain that helps in all the creative ideas we have. (http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/toolbox/brain4.html) According to a video we watched in class, a lot of famous people hit their peak of creativity when they were adolescents. Tibby portrayed her passion for video taping, producing, and editing documentaries. The movie showed her practicing this hobby as a child, like when she made a video for them venting their feeling. She was able to forego going out of town, for her summer vacation; in order to stay back and produce a documentary. Carmen on the other hand, wasn’t shown any evidence of her passion for writing; although she does mention it in the movie, and she is the narrator of the movie. According to studies done, a lot of adolescents who have a hobby and passion for something, tend to not only be creative in their work, but their passion is so great, that they spend hours on it; such ash basket ball payers, gymnasts and various other talented individuals. Egocentrism is a theory in psychology that has to deal with children’s personality, where children are not able to understand the feelings of another human being. This changes a great deal, when they hit adolescence. Their chain of thoughts, becomes extremely abstract. In the movie, when Bridget had to deal with her mother’s death, her friends feel the pain she was going through, and were there for her. That mind frame of egocentrism is diminished, and a more understanding frame of mind is developed. Another example is seen towards the end of the movie, when Carmen becomes understanding of her dad’s new family and new life. Initially she was hurt and angered by his decision; because she felt that he gave his new family the love and commitment that she wanted him to give to her and her mom. But her friends helped her realize, that she needed to be more accepting of his actions, and forgive him. The movie did a good job in portraying some of the common theories that adolescence go through. Since the movie revolved around the friendship of the four teenagers, it displayed a great amount of ‘autonomy and peer dependence’. It provided examples of two individual characters, and how they needed their friends in their trying times. One criterion the movie didn’t address was peer pressure, and being influenced by your peers to fall for deviant activities. All four characters seemed very stable with their individuality, despite some of the psychological issues they had as children, with their families. . It would’ve also encouraged the parents to involve their adolescent children, in more positive decision making. This would help the adolescent, in not only turning tot heir peers for emotional support, but also their parents in times of trouble. All in all, the movie portrayed the whole adolescent experience well, with each of their different personalities reflecting their sense of style and behavior. Each character had the zest, excitement, freshness and creativity that one would usually find in an adolescent. Not only did these characteristics make it a good movie, but also the memories it brings back to every woman about her adolescence. References Nunley, Kathie F. ( 2007). How the Adolescent Brain Challenges the Adult Brain. Website : http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/toolbox/brain4.html Boeree, George. ( 1997). Erik Erickson. Website: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/erikson.html Geary, Charlotte. ( ). Adolescent Autonomy with Parents as a Predictor of Low Susceptibility to Peer Pressure. Website: http://people.virginia.edu/~psykliff/pubs/presentations/dmp%20thesis/charlotte %20geary.pdf