Adolescence

Adolescence

Person observed: Molly Age: 18

Gender: Female

General description: about 5'2", black hair, brown eyes, about 100 lbs.

Place of observation: at my work, Cherokee Cattle Company

Others present: Other co-workers

Cultural group: Chinese

Physical Development

Molly has reached her body height at 5'2". Although, when she was younger she had to take growth hormones because she was not growing when the rest of her peers were. She was a very late developer and did not start puberty until she was 17.

Molly is very active in school activities such as clubs and softball and tennis. She is very coordinated in her sports and also very fast. Molly was just offered a full scholarship to play tennis at Clemson University.

Nutrition and health habits consist of eating a healthy, well balanced diet. She rarely eats fast food, and never eats sweets. She generally tries to maintain a nutritious diet because she wants to succeed in tennis.

Cognitive Development

In school, Molly is a B average student. She is a Senior in High School and is going to Clemson University in the fall, 2003. Her family moved to the United States when she was very young, so she has been in American schools since pre-school. Her reading and writing skills are pretty average, but she exceeds in math.

Molly is very attentive in her classes, but she admits to sometimes becoming distract because she is very social. Since Molly plays on sports teams, she is very strategic. She is the Captain of her tennis team and is constantly working to try to improve her abilities.

Similarities and Differences

Molly's culture has not been very significant in her life. Although her parents sometimes speak Chinese in their home, they speak English as their primary language. Molly says that her parents sometimes celebrate Chinese traditions to bring some of their culture back into their busy lives. Molly's Dad is a doctor, and her mom is a house wife who is starting a decorating business.