Week 6- Response to Annie McLaren's blog

Annie, your reflection for Week 6 Wednesday was especially insightful. I think the expectation that adolescents would "find their own way" in Western society is the result of a hyper-individualism characteristic of late modernity. That is, all diversity is appreciated and all "ways of life" are valid, therefore the instruction of a youth is tantamount to questioning their individuality. At this point there are no trusted sources of tradition and authority to instruct youth with and so it is expected that the adolescent will figure things out on their own. This definitely adds up to anxiety!