Browsing by Author "Haatainen, Ida"

This study is a descriptive literature review. In this thesis work I researched factors that affect an individual’s development and future planning. My goal was to find out how to offer equal opportunities for adolescents in discovering their potential and finding their place in society. My research questions were: 1. What are the factors affecting the adolescents’ perceptions of themselves and the opportunities they see? 2. How can school support the development of adolescents so that they can recognize their own potential? 3. How to make successful transitions from school to working life? My main sources were the textbooks used in the Faculty of Educational Sciences. Main theories used were positive psychology, character strengths, mindsets, temperament and personality. To gain insight into Finnish adolescents’ education choices and the success of those choices I used several sources, like for example the tool We foundation and The National Institute for Health and Welfare have developed about the dynamics of exclusion from the Kohortti87- material. I also used the Youth Barometer 2017 and the publication of Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on NEET (not in education, employment or training) youth as sources. My results show that inborn traits determine the way individuals react in different situations. It is critical how the environment responses to those traits and reactions. (Keltikangas-Järvinen, 2004, s. 36–108). Everybody has their own character strengths and when adolescents find theirs it will help them raise their self-esteem and plan for their future. One of the significant development tasks of adolescence is planning an educational path. Environment can greatly influence adolescents since they are still processing their beliefs about themselves. With positive and warm encouragement from teachers and parents, even the hardest experiences can turn into psychological resources by increasing growth mindset, resilience and competence. Self-knowledge helps young people to discern their possibilities and make conclusions about whether they are suited for different careers. When adolescents find the right career that supports their traits and strengths, it will make work feel more valuable and decreases the risk of exclusion (Hotulainen, Lappalainen & Sointu, 2014, s. 269; Seligman, 2008, s. 27).