Katelyn Martella
THE MCGUIRES
Lizzie McGuire is a 13 year old all American teenager growing up in a nuclear family. Her father and mother care deeply for their children, but they seem to have liAle clue as to what is going on and therefore could be considered permissive parents. Given that they have children that are up to age 13, they are in Duvall’s fourth stage of development. Her annoying younger brother is always coming up with new ways to Lizzie spends most of socializing with her best friends Miranda and Gordo, who are also concerned with teenage issues such as popularity, daDng, and how to best avoid parents.
Lizzie 101 as told by Lizzie
So you think you know me huhhh?! Let’s see! I am…... Shy or life of the party? Sports yes or no? School or friends? Average, small or tall? Graceful or clumsy? Thanks for playing Lizzie 101! ;)
Growth and Development:
Poor Lizzie is going through the awkward changes associated with puberty: breast development, menstruaDon, growth spurt, being taller than boys her age, etc. Early adolescence is hard given that everyone is growing at different paces. As she develops, she gains her voice and establishes a healthy sense of self and explains to her mother her new needs as a growing female. She can be seen explaining to her mom that she is no longer a liAle girl and that she needs a bra. This is an example of her establishing her idenDty. She finds comfort in knowing her best friend, Miranda, is going through these same changes. Given her physical maturaDon, it can be said that she is hiang all the desired milestones for a 13 year old female (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.104).
Fine and Gross Motor Skills:
Being a growing 13 year old, Lizzie has well developed fine motor skills and parDcipates in quiet acDviDes such as reading, texDng, and music. She is also establishing her gross motor ability through the involvement of new sports such as volleyball and her love of gymnasDcs. She is however, a self proclaimed klutz and can always be found tripping and falling into trash cans. This is normal for young adolescent because they may lack some coordinaDon during growth spurts. Lizzie also parDcipates in school clubs she deems “cool” and can be seen as a proper developing teenager (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.104).
Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development:
Either idenDty or role confusion is determined from ages 12 to 18 years old. Adolescences see physical changes as well as a mature and complex thought processes. Success in this stage is achieved when the individual finds their idenDty through reorganizaDon of self, family, peer groups, and community. Those who cannot secure a sense of self, may experience confusion in various roles (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.78). At Dmes, Lizzie may experience some role confusion and may wonder such things as “Is she sDll a child?”, “How can she be a good student while sDll maintain a social life?”, “What will be her future career?”, etc. Through a sold support system and an ever growing thought process, Lizzie is able to get through these role challenges and has grown into such roles as being a good friend, student, daughter, etc. She relies less on her parents as Dme goes on and relies on her friends for support and guidance. As pictured, her friend Gordo, is full of good advice and has also found himself even through the high school drama.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development:
Post-convenDonal individuals are able to internalize ethical standards and make decisions based on what they deem morally appropriate. They can view mulDple moral approaches and can recognize social responsibility (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.79). Lizzie can be seen making her own choices while also developing her own moral compass. She wants to fit in, but not at the expense of people that may be seen as weird. She despises bullies and the popular girls who are cruel to her and others. She stands up for what she believes in even though this risks her reputaDon. Although she dislikes the schools popular bully, Kate, she is also able to recognize that there may be something deeper going on in Kate’s life and she therefore has empathy towards her.
Piaget’s Theory of CogniAve Development:
Formal OperaDonal is defined as fully mature intellectual thought and abstract thinking about objects or concepts and should be achieved from 11 years to adulthood. Lizzie has shown that she is in this stage due to the fact that she is able to see that her parents, teachers, and other adults views on the world do not have to be her own and that she can now think for herself. She is able to digest new informaDon and decide if it will become apart of her own thoughts and beliefs. Healthcare professionals should give complete informaDon and educaDon for adolescents and adults(Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.78).
NutriAonal Advice: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Include whole grain products to replace refined products. Apply the MyPyramid Food Guidelines. Eat three meals a day and do not skip meals. EaDng together as a family as much as possible. Balance intake through meal planning Limit fast food and sol drinks. Include 2-3 servings of dairy daily (cheese, yogurt, milk) to enhance bone formaDon. Use resources for treatment of eaDng disorders if idenDfied.
Lizzie should be eaDng over 2000 calories per day to support her nutriDonal needs while going through a growth spurt. Because she parDcipates in gymnasDcs, she may need even more to maintain adequate nutriDon. It is important to teach good nutriDonal habits because she is more likely to be making her own meals and eaDng with her peers. It may be challenging to teach her to limit sugars, sodas and fast foods; all of which are tempDng without the guidance of parents. Teens are at risk for either over eaDng due to lack of educaDon or guidance along with new found freedom or skipping meals in order to fit in and achieve a skinny appearance. Both are dangerous and require monitoring. A 24 hour recall of food intake is helpful for health care professionals to get a glimpse of Lizzie’s typical food intake and to address any concerns. Addressing percenDles and BMI is helpful, yet unknown in Lizzies case. It can be assumed that upon visual assessment that Lizzie is within a normal range for her height, weight, and age. She may need educaDon on healthier eaDng opDons and may need to seek counseling for potenDal body image issues (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2014, p.340).
Let’s talk food!! Instead of a sugar cereal for breakfast, Lizzie could have ½ cup of orange juice, 1 cup of cereal, 1 cup of milk, 1 bagel with 1 T peanut buAer and jam.
Orem 11-16 year olds:
Drugs or alcohol use:
With independence comes the desire to experiment. Peers may olen influence one another to try drugs or to drink alcohol. It is important to educate absDnence and stress that both are illegal for minors and potenDally lethal. Celebratory Dmes along with many teenagers driving may lead to drunk driving and death. Lizzie may be tempted and must be educated.
Body image:
Sex and Sexuality:
Changes for Lizzie include both body changes that signal mature sexual development ( p u b e r t y : b r e a s t d e v e l o p m e n t a n d menstruaDon), and the concept of being a sexual being. There is a growing interest in boys. Lizzie olen fantasies of daDng Ethan, the schools “cutest” boy. It is important to offer sex educaDon to prevent STDs, pregnancy, and sexual assault.
Feelings:
Mental health is important for adolescents and is linked to growing independence, close relaDonships with peers and seang goals for the future. It is important that Lizzie establish a sense of security and the ability to express feeling openly and honestly. She must be able to deal with both accomplishments and disappointments and may need resources to do just that. Lizzie seems to have the ability to express herself to her friends or through her cartoon self in order to prevent any build up in feelings.
Looks can be everything for teenagers, and Lizzie is no excepDon. Common body issues include, puberty (fast or slow), acne, weight (over or under), parents allowing body piercings or taAoos, oral care (braces, visiDng the denDst), etc. Lizzie wants to blend in with the crowd, yet find a sense of self. Miranda, her best friend, serves as her biggest resource and confidant in regards to making sure one another looks a certain way to impress the boys at school. Lizzie plays with the idea of wanDng piercings. However, soon realizes that it is not worth fighDng with her parents about. Lizzies first Dme having acne brings a lot of internal turmoil, but she soon realizes that everyone is bound to have acne, not just her.
Family and Friends:
Lizzie is in the phase where she is forming stronger bonds with friends now more then ever, while sDll needing guidance and reassurance from parents. She strives to be independent and can be seen tesDng limits, such as talking back to her mom and dad, yet sDll craves their approval and comfort. Parents may be having just as hard of a Dme as the teen in finding this balance and a through assessment of parenDng may be needed during visits. Teens may be dealing with more mature family/friend issues now more than ever before and should be asked these hard hiang quesDons (domesDc violence, finances, parents lost job, etc) by healthcare professionals.
Hey Lizzie! What’s your problem?!? NutriAon:
Lizzie is at risk for inadequate nutriDon. She is not olen seen eaDng healthy opDons and prefers fast food or unhealthy food prepared at school. She is also concerned with her body image and the desire to be skinny. Her parents do not seem to be concerned, as she appears of normal height and weight for her age, but this could be a problem in the future. It would be important for her pediatrician or the nurse to refer her to a dieDDan. While discussing body image, it is important to be sensiDve towards her needs and feelings. The nurse may suggest implemenDng a balanced diet or going onto online sources such as MyPyramid for recipes, and to obtain a beAer idea of nutriDonal needs. PaAerns established as teens is olen maintained in adulthood.
Physical development:
Lizzie is growing and is extremely clumsy because of these growth spurts. She is at risk for injury because of this, as well as parDcipaDng in sports. She is also at risk for scoliosis at this age and it is important to screen both at school and while seeing the doctors. Vision, hearing, and dental checks should also be performed frequently. If not, problems with eaDng or performance in school may suffer if a problem isn’t idenDfied or addressed.
Social development:
IdenDty, self confidence, relaDonships with peers, and overall psychosocial well being is constantly changing for adolescents. Lizzie may face scruDny from peers which may cause some turmoil if she does not seek help from school counseling. It would be important to give her resources other then listening to her peers, as they may not giver her correct informaDon. Parent’s opinions are not as valued at this age anymore, but they should sDll maintain an honest, open relaDonship and be a source of comfort for Lizzie.
Safety teaching:
Lizzie may not be of age to start driving. However, her peers are and she should be aware of safe driving (use of a seat belt, no drinking and driving, no speeding or texDng, proper amounts of sleep, etc). She should also be advised on safe sex pracDces and may be referred to planned parenthood if something in regards to woman's health arises. Sports injuries also common and she should be referred to athleDc trainers or physical therapists ass needed. It is important that Lizzie sleep the proper amount prior to school in order to achieve the highest level of educaDon and avoid any safety issues associated with lack of sleep.
References Ball, J. W., Bindler, R. C., & Cowen, K. J. (2015). Principles of Pediatric Nursing, Caring for Children (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Choose MyPlate. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2016, from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ All images retrieved from Google image.