Section1: First Thoughts

OK all--good week and good brainstorming on organizing our thoughts for Section 1.

What do we know for sure?

1. Section 1 should focus on the cultural identity of the adolescent informant. It is written for a reader coming to the material for the first time (not for the professor). Thus, it requires an introduction---or within a page or so if you are working for a more creative opening, enough information and context to identify the informants for the reader. Without being mechanical, remind yourselves of the sociological variables: age, gender,region, class, ethnicity, religion, etc.

2. HOW MUCH SHOULD I WRITE?
It need not be "comprehensive": that is, it is not a full life history, but rather a "slice in time." The portrait reveals the adolescent now: but he or she can reflect on past and future (this will help us understand how they think of themselves in present time).
It is a collaborative portrait, constructed by you and the informant: the reader should hear both voices.

3.WHAT IS "CULTURAL IDENTITY"?
As this is an anthropology class, we should resist trying to "explain" our informants using psychological jargon. Rather, the premise is that identity arises out of particular cultural and social circumstances: we are who we are because our culture and society provide us with a "scenario" of beliefs/values/behaviors/social relationships that we must experience, and from which, forge "our singular identity."

The goal is to show how a person both "fits" within his culture, but also attempts to create something of his own: to be "an individual." And, to show a reader, no matter how different the informant appears to be, in his experience there is something we all share.

4. WHAT DOES YOUR INFORMANT WANT TO SAY ABOUT HERSELF?
It is here that some "I am..." decisions will have to be made. It is here that a "scenario" will have to be constructed. And it is here that the sociological variables come into play. As this is not a class in "adolescent theory," you are simply required to tell your informant's story (the scenario) from a point of view that you believe best allows a reader to understand their voice/experience. You need not say ALL teenagers believe or behave like this.

The "scenario" or point of view should guide the reader's understanding of the informant's experience. Is this the life of a black teen? Is this the life of a female, black teen? Is this the life of an urban, female, black teen? Is this the life of an urban, female, Christian, black teen? How do friends/family/school/work/leisure fit into this scenario?

Remember some of the italicized intros to the teen stories in Adolescent Portraits:
"This Native American woman recounts her experience of living in two worlds." (pg. 15)
"Born into small town life, this college senior describes a life-long confusion about who he is and what purpose his life serves." (Pg. 43)
"Jessie, born in Puerto Rico,.. explores in this case how her strong family ties, others' belief in her, and her own commitment helped her avoid the possible dangers and complications of her urban community." (pg. 69)
"Eager to be accepted by American society and his college peers, Devneesh is devastated by the racist and misogynistic attitudes his first year roommate harbors." (Pg. 98)
"Growing up in a permissive family in Florida, Sarah slips into a pattern of binge drinking, drunkenness, and promiscuity." (pg. 189)

5: THE SUBCATEGORIES
It is here that you will try to achieve the goals of #3 above:
The goal is to show how a person both "fits" within his culture, but also attempts to create something of his own: to be "an individual." And, to show a reader, no matter how different the informant appears to be, in his experience there is something we all share.

There is no one model for this and, since we are not trying to be comprehensive, the subcategories need only illustrate the above.

We have agreed that SUBCATEGORY 2 (after an INTRODUCTION) should be a physical portrait of our informants (this further introduces them to us, and is a good writing exercise for an anthropology student). We have also agreed that the FINAL SUBCATEGORY (or APPENDIX) should be a content analysis of the MySpace sites (and we have added personal statements, poems, drawings, etc.; The goal here is to add another dimension to the the "I am..." story).

After that---let's keep talking (most are doing 3-5 subcategories).

Next week--we'll connect section 1 and 2.

For now--re-think section 1, email me if you want, and I'll see WGs 1 and 2 on Tuesday.

And...if I've left out anything from the four sessions--let me know and I'll post it.