Lesson two: The best of Me

Lesson two Focuses on factors that impact on an individual’s personal identity.

You will review and discuss the impact community and culture can have on your identity
and how you see yourself in the world.
As a part of your review you will review the impact the media, social norms, stereotypes and
communities have on gender roles.

You will also analyse how changing norms, stereotypes and expectations influence how young
people think, behave and act in relation to their health, safety, wellbeing and developing identity.

There will be a number of you tube presentations viewed to bring home the concepts being
discussed

Background information to read with the teacher.

Developing a positive identity
Our identity is shaped by many things. In this lesson you will explore how family, peer group, cultural
identity and school environment all play a significant role in the development of a positive identity.

Influences on our identity

The environment we live in has a huge impact on how we see ourselves, the
confidence we have and how we act.

For example, if a girl is brought up in an environment where boys are regarded as more
capable and given more opportunities the girls’ perception of her identity could be
limited and not include male dominated aspects of community life.

Likewise, if a student is bullied by their peers at school every day and then criticised by their
parents at home, the combined effect will create a situation where the child could start to think
something is wrong with them, they could build a picture of themselves that say’s to them that
they are limited in their skills and socially lacking. This person will most likely have a poor
sense of personal identity.
Conversely, if a person is praised by their parents and teachers, and respected by their peers,
the combined effect will most likely be a more positive identity. Such a person should see them
self as being capable, skilled and able to take on challenges in life.

Activity one: Introductory activity - Quick starter level

Review each of the factors below (Culture, family, peer group, body image, physical
development, school, gender, sexuality, school, sporting ability, online, media, success.
Failure). Consider the possible impact each of these factors could have on your
developing personal identity.
Rate each factor 1 -5 as how much influence you feel it has on your own developing
personal identity. A rating of 1 indicates it has little influence. A rating of 5 indicates it
has a great deal of influence

Culture and traditions

Australia is a culturally rich and diverse society. Cultural background is one of the most
significant influences on our identity. Each person’s culture consists of their customs and
traditions, beliefs, values and language. One example of culture in Australia is that of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have lived here for at least 45 000 years.
Other examples of cultural groups in Australia include people of Anglo-Celtic backgrounds,
Asian backgrounds and European backgrounds. In fact, our society is also made up of migrants
from more than 200 countries around the world with 49 per cent of Australians being born
overseas or having a parent who was born overseas.
The multicultural nature of Australian society means that most people experience and interact
with a range of people from different cultural backgrounds. While, you may sometimes feel
more comfortable being with people from a similar cultural background to your own because
you will have common interests and traditions. There is much to be learned, however, from
interacting with people from different cultures.
Differences in culture may be quite visible in the way that people dress, their customs,
behaviours and interests; however, some cultural differences are less visible and are relatively
innate, such as values, attitudes and beliefs. Culture is something that we learn; it is dynamic and
adapts to changing circumstances. Traditions are often identified as practices and beliefs that are
handed down from one generation to the next. Traditions are many and varied. Your family may
have a traditional way of celebrating a particular event. The Australian culture has a unique
blend of established traditions and new influences.

Your rating of culture as a influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
level)

1 2 3 4 5

Family
Young people who are encouraged and supported by their family tend to feel good about
themselves. Your self-esteem develops positively as a consequence of your interactions with
your parents in early adolescence, and later with your peers. If you view these interactions as
positive experiences, then you tend to develop confidence, which is a factor in a positive
identity.

Your rating of family as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
 level)

1 2 3 4 5

Peer group
Having a close friend or group of friends is very important for young people. Good friends will
listen, be supportive and help you when you need it. The things you say to your friends and how
you treat them can affect how they think about themselves. Being a good friend means treating
your friends with respect. Developing positive relationships with friends is important, so
understanding what makes a positive relationship is essential. Positive relationships have the
following qualities:
• mutual respect • trust • honesty • support • equality • separate identities • good communication

Your rating of peer group as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle
appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5

School
Schools that provide interesting and challenging and supportive learning opportunities help
students grow and succeed. Acknowledgement of this personal growth and success helps
students feel good about themselves, supported and connected.

Your rating of school as a influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
level)

1 2 3 4 5

Gender
Gender beliefs influence our identity. They can shape our attitudes and behaviours. Sometimes,
there is a lot of pressure on us to behave in certain ways or to fit a certain stereotype. For boys,
this stereotype may mean being strong, tough and sporty; for girls, it may mean being more
sensitive and nurturing. Young people who do not fit these stereotypes may be bullied or teased
by their peers; this has a negative influence on their identity.
 Your rating of gender as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
level)

1 2 3 4 5

Sexuality
Adolescence is a time when young people become physically and sexually attracted to others.
These attractions can be for people of the opposite sex or people of the same sex, or both. When
a young person is sensitive about their sexuality, they may feel unhappy about themselves.
Treating everyone with respect and accepting difference can be a positive influence, allowing
young people freedom to explore and understand this aspect of their identity.

Your rating of sexuality as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle

appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5

Body image
What we look like and what other people think of our appearance can contribute to our beliefs
about who we are. People who are not happy with their body shape, size and/or weight are often
not happy with themselves more generally. Some young people, in an attempt to change their
body image, may develop poor eating habits or eating disorders. It is important to remember that
we all come in different shapes and sizes, and that we are worthwhile and valuable people
regardless of how we look.

Your rating of body image as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle
appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5

Physical development
The rate at which we mature or grow can affect our identity. For example, girls who develop
breasts or start menstruation before their friends sometimes feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.
Boys who mature early are often more confident with their peers than those who mature later.

Your rating of physical development as an influence on your developing personal identity

 (circle appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5

Sport
It is important for adolescents to participate in sport and physical activity so they can benefit
from health and fitness, social rewards and connection to a community. Many young people feel
a sense of identity from the sport they play. In addition, many adolescents aspire to be like their
favourite athlete, which can shape the development of their identity.

Your rating of sport as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
level)

1 2 3 4 5

Online
With the rise of social media, many adolescents are using a variety of platforms daily as a way to
connect with their peers. Young people are creating an identity of who they are and what they
like due to their exposure to online communication. It is important to act respectfully when
online to ensure a positive sense of identity and reputation is achieved.

Your rating of online as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle appropriate
level)

1 2 3 4 5

The media
We are influenced by the stereotypes of males and females that we see on television, and in
movies and magazines. Some young people compare themselves unfavourably to these
unrealistic images, and this comparison can have a negative influence on their identity.

Your rating of the media as an influence on your developing personal identity (circle
appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5
 Success and failure
Most of us, if we are successful at the things we do, will feel good about ourselves. Some of us
avoid activities we are not as good at because we may feel embarrassed or inadequate.
Identifying areas in which we can improve and working to achieve success in a variety of
activities is an important part of personal growth and can have a positive influence on our
identity.

Your rating of success and failure as an influence on your developing personal identity
(circle appropriate level)

1 2 3 4 5

Follow up quick starter activity. Use your developing understanding of the

factors that influence your personal identity to answer the question
Who/what affects my personal identity?

Alternatively

On a piece of coloured cardboard, draw a picture of yourself in the middle. Around the outside,
mind map the people and situations that affect your personal identity

Some answers may include -

● Your developing knowledge and awareness of things around you

● Your developing skills and strengths

● The people around you – family, friends …

 ● Situations you have experienced and how you where impact on by these experiences

● Where you live

● Your culture

Activity two: I now want you to work at a think harder level and consider:

● how these factors affect you

● whether their effect is positive or negative

● whether there are factors that have a greater influence than others on you and why this
might be so
● whether there is someone who has affected your identity in the past but doesn’t anymore

● who might affect your personal identity in the future.

In the space below write a paragraph outlining how factors affect you, if affect is positive
or negative and weather some factors have a greater influence than others.

Activity three: Think harder level Work with a partner to answer the next questions
Do you have an influence on the people around you? Could your influence impact on their
developing personal identity?
…………………………………………………

Background information to read with the teacher.

Gender stereotyping and development of a persons’ sense of
identity
For the remainder of the lesson you are required to focus in more detail on one of the listed
factors. this factor is gender. As stated above sometimes, there is a lot of pressure on us to behave
in certain ways or to fit a certain stereotype. For boys, this stereotype may mean being strong,
tough and sporty; for girls, it may mean being more sensitive and nurturing. Young people who do
not fit these stereotypes may be bullied or teased by their peers; this has a negative influence on
their identity.

View the following three you tube presentations and discuss what impact they have on a persons’
developing sense of identity. Try to view the outcome from both a male and females’ point of
view and consider the impact gender stereotyping can have on both genders.

Video- Toys and Gender

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgKtoKAx9Z4

Video- Not happy about gender toys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srnaXW9ZgZc

Proving stereotypes wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VPbTLqbMU

Questions on gender stereotyping

1. List the stereotypical characteristics of males and those of females that are portrayed in the
presentations.

2. Outline the messages given in the presentations.

3. Are the gender associated images in the presentations healthy images?

 4. Do you think the gender associated images have a positive or a negative effect on young

people’s identity? Explain why.

5. What can young people do to counteract negative gender associated images presented in the
media?

6. What kinds of images do you think should be shown to encourage young people to develop a

Positive gender associated sense of identity?

To complete the lesson, view a number of you tube clips that present a balance of males and females in
sporting, work place and family roles. Discuss