Throughout this course, I realized how much my writing has grown and how much I still had to learn. I walked in with experience from AP classes and College Now programs, so I figured I had a decent grasp on college writing already. Still, the class pushed me to build on those basics and refine them further. Learning how to navigate the CUNY Library showed me solid ways to track down trustworthy sources every time. The consistent feedback throughout the semester pointed out spots where I needed to flesh out ideas or make explanations clearer for readers. Working with classmates taught me a lot, hearing their perspectives opened up new angles for me to think about. In the end, the whole experience made my transition to college-level writing much smoother and left me feeling more confident about putting my thoughts into words.

For the analysis essay, behavioral genetics caught my attention because I wanted to explore it in more depth. I found it really interesting that most traits don’t come from a single gene, but from many working together. The environment shapes how those traits actually show up in people too. I focused on keeping my explanations straightforward and made sure my citations supported my ideas without overpowering them. That balance made me feel good about the final piece. If I could revise it, I would add more about how genes passed through family lines can influence personalities. Writing that essay taught me that I need to go beyond the surface and break my arguments down more fully.

The personal essay started off difficult since I couldn’t pick a direction at first. Then I remembered a comment my family made years ago—they said I wasn’t really Jamaican. At the time I brushed it off, but while writing, I realized that the comment stuck with me more than I thought. Putting that experience on paper felt like lifting a weight off my chest. I’m proud of how the essay turned out because it felt genuine, and I expressed exactly what I wanted to. If I were to improve anything, I would focus more on showing the moments instead of just telling them. Still, I think the piece drew readers in and let them connect with the emotions I was describing.

The research essay was definitely the most challenging assignment. It stressed me out a lot, and I even switched my topic halfway through. I ended up writing about teenage pregnancy because it’s an important issue that gets overlooked. I noticed how social media often romanticizes it instead of acknowledging the real struggles young parents face. That kind of unrealistic portrayal can push teens toward a decision without fully understanding what it involves. I think I integrated my sources well, but explaining why certain citations mattered was harder and required a lot of rereading. This essay showed me the level of detail and depth that college-level research really requires. Overall, it pushed me to think more critically about how society treats young mothers and why that matters. I also improved in balancing my own voice with the voices of scholars, which is something I’m still getting the hang of.

Overall, this course really helped me grow as a writer in ways I didn’t fully expect. It pushed me to dig deeper into my own stuff. I had to slow down and think hard about what I wanted to say. I also had to figure out why those ideas even mattered in the first place. Every single essay brought its own set of tough spots along the way. Still, they showed me exactly what I could pull off when I actually put the work in. I’ve gotten better at using sources, explaining my ideas clearly, and trusting my own voice more. Even though I’m still learning, I feel way more ready for college writing compared to that first day in class. The course went beyond just fixing my skills. It helped me really get a sense of myself as a writer. I am pretty proud of the distance I have covered so far.

Becoming a mother is a huge turning point in a woman’s life, bringing about new responsibilities and challenges. It can be even tougher being a teenage mother, not only because of the stress brought in by caring for the child but also because of judgments and criticism from others. While parenting itself is demanding, often it is the social stigma and pressures which have an even bigger impact on their mental health. When people feel they are being watched, criticized, or looked down upon, it tends to enhance stress, diminish self-esteem, and often culminate into depression. This essay will look at how society’s judgment shapes the emotional experiences of teenage mothers and why addressing these pressures is so important.

Teenagers already are extremely sensitive to how others perceive them, and many will do almost anything to fit in.  Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson describes this stage as the “Identity vs. Role Confusion” period, when young people are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. When a teenager becomes pregnant, that need for acceptance suddenly collides with the harsh reactions they often receive. Rather than being supported while still learning about themselves, they face judgment that labels them well before they might have shaped their identity. The label “teen mom” can become so heavy that it overshadows everything else they are or hope to become. Research has shown that pregnant teens are frequently teased or excluded by their peers, which harms their confidence and diminishes their motivation to stay in school. One South African study found that many teenage mothers were mocked and isolated by classmates, leaving them “ashamed of themselves and unaccepted by the community.” These feelings often led to lower self-esteem and declining academic performance (2023). However, the discrimination they face does not only come from other teenagers. It can also appear through institutional bias, even within places that are supposed to help them. Many young mothers report being treated unfairly by teachers, school administrators, and healthcare providers. One account describes a school removing a pregnant student from her honors classes and discouraging her college plans while a hospital nurse scolded her in front of others (2025). When support is missing from both peers and institutions, teens can be left feeling isolated and unsure of where to find help. This feeling of being utterly alone can make a young mother feel she has nowhere to turn. Even when she tries to stay in school, keep up with her prenatal care, or continue working toward goals, being treated like she has failed can slowly take away her motivation. Shame is more than hurtful; it affects mental health, academic success, and long-term opportunities. And because teenagers are still forming their identities, these experiences can affect how they view themselves for years to come, even into adulthood.

Some people argue that the biggest source of mental health challenges for teenage mothers is the stress that comes with early motherhood itself. And there’s truth in that, because raising a child while still growing up brings responsibilities many teens are simply not prepared for. Research from the National Library of Medicine indicates that teen mothers often experience disrupted education, financial hardship, unstable housing, and very limited access to childcare (2017). Since their brains are still developing, especially the areas that help with planning ahead and staying emotionally steady, teens encounter challenges that adults are usually better equipped to handle. When a teen suddenly becomes responsible for a newborn, she is expected to make adult decisions and maintain stability without the same mental tools older adults rely on. This gap between her developmental stage and the demand of parenting creates intense pressure. On top of that, she must manage schoolwork while caring for a newborn, navigating late-night feedings, unpredictable schedules, and the constant pressure of financial responsibilities. These challenges leave many young mothers feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and stretched in every direction. The exhaustion can make it difficult to stay on top of school, heighten stress levels, and create the painful sense that peers are moving forward while she struggles to keep up. In addition to the mental strain, teenage mothers face significant physical demands. Interrupted sleep, irregular meals, and the ongoing recovery from childbirth all take a toll, making it even harder to maintain emotional balance. While about 15% of adult mothers suffer from postpartum depression, teen mothers do so at nearly double that rate because they usually have fewer emotional supports, much less financial stability, and have reduced access to mental health care (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Early motherhood pushes teenagers into roles which they are not yet prepared to fulfill, and this combination of emotional, physical, and practical trials puts young mothers particularly at risk for long-term mental and emotional complications.

However, while the challenges of early motherhood are undeniably heavy, they become even harder when combined with the judgment and rejection teenage mothers face from society. When schools, communities, or even family members respond with shame instead of compassion, it adds an emotional weight that can feel overwhelming. As psychologists Diksshita Jadhav and Kelly-Ann Allen acknowledge, positive relationships and acts of kindness can significantly improve one’s mental well-being; however, teenage mothers often receive far less support than they actually need. Instead of encouragement or practical help, many are made to feel like failures before they even begin, thus intensifying their stress. This combination of real-life struggles and harsh social judgment creates a cycle that deeply harms their mental health. As studies indicate, 66.4% of adolescent mothers are diagnosed with a mental disorder, and 27.4% face suicidal risk (2024). Social-science research also makes it clear that solid support networks reduce postpartum depression and improve outcomes for both mothers and their children (2020). Quite simply, blaming young mothers instead of supporting them leads to striking rises in anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Teen pregnancy is often normalized in social settings, yet research shows it can lead to serious mental health challenges that are not always recognized or addressed. One study found that when adolescents have a clearer understanding of the consequences of pregnancy, especially when they sense disapproval from a parental figure, they tend to form stronger negative attitudes toward becoming pregnant themselves (2003). This indicates that open, honest conversations and realistic counseling can help the young person better understand the true weight of early parenthood. Despite the normalization or romanticization of teenage pregnancy, providing factual information and education helps teens establish more realistic expectations and make better choices. For those who do become young parents, support becomes essential. Studies show that peer support programs can make a meaningful difference, but they are most effective when they are carefully structured and guided by trained professionals (2019). These programs give teenage mothers more than just practical help—they provide emotional reassurance, reduce feelings of isolation, and remind them they are not facing society’s criticism alone. Equipped with a supportive network to fall back on, young mothers gain confidence, build resilience, and feel ready to take on not just their responsibilities but also the stigma attached to them. Providing a space where the young mother feels understood, respected, and encouraged can improve her mental health, strengthen her self-esteem, and help her pursue long-term goals despite the many barriers along the way.

Teenage motherhood is often viewed as difficult because of the responsibility of raising a child, but the emotional reality is much more complicated. After looking at the research and thinking about what teenagers go through, it becomes clear that the harsh judgment they face can be even more damaging than the challenges of parenting itself. The stress of caring for a baby is real, but it becomes much heavier when a young mother also has to deal with people treating her as if she has already failed. That kind of stigma affects how she sees herself, how she moves through school, and how she imagines her future. The thing that has really stuck with me, though, is how much of this could change with real support. When teenage mothers are met with kindness instead of criticism, they feel capable. When schools and health providers offer encouragement rather than judgment, young mothers are more willing to ask for help. And when families and communities choose understanding over shame, the emotional wounds that so often come with teen pregnancy do not cut quite so deep. The research bears this out, but it also feels true from a basic human standpoint: people grow when they are valued, and teenagers especially need that feeling of acceptance as they are working to figure out who they are.

REFERENCES

Mental Health of Adolescents. 1 Sept. 2025, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health#:~:text=Multiple%20factors%20affect%20mental%20health,recognized%20risks%20to%20mental%20health

Moganedi, Shonisane Emily, and Tshimangadzo Selina Mudau. “Stigma and Mental Well-Being Among Teenage Mothers in the Rural Areas of Makhado, Limpopo Province.” Social Sciences, vol. 13, no. 1, Dec. 2023, p. 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13010018.

Mangeli, Massoumeh, et al. Exploring the Challenges of Adolescent Mothers From Their Life Experiences in the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study. 1 Sept. 2017, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6045691.

—. Exploring the Challenges of Adolescent Mothers From Their Life Experiences in the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study. 1 Sept. 2017, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6045691.

Watts, Susan May. “Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers in the United States – Ballard Brief.” Ballard Brief, 20 Nov. 2025, ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/postpartum-depression-among-adolescent-mothers-in-the-united-states#:~:text=,higher%20risk%20for%20developing%20PPD.

Allen, Kelly-Ann, PhD. “Helping Others May Be More Beneficial for You Than You Think.” Psychology Today, 20 Nov. 2024, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sense-of-belonging/202411/being-there-for-others-whats-in-it-for-you?msockid=00c58976ea696dc33a0c9f53eb0b6c2a.

De Sousa Machado, Tiffany, et al. “First-time Mothers’ Perceptions of Social Support: Recommendations for Best Practice.” Health Psychology Open, vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 2020, p. 2055102919898611. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102919898611.

Miafo, Joël Djatche, et al. “Perinatal Mental Disorders and Suicidal Risk Among Adolescent Mothers Living in Urban Areas of Cameroon.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 15, June 2024, p. 1306440. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1306440.

Jones, Catriona, et al. “‘Other Girls’: A Qualitative Exploration of Teenage Mothers’ Views on Teen Pregnancy in Contemporaries.” Sexuality & Culture, vol. 23, no. 3, Feb. 2019, pp. 760–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09589-4.

Jones, Catriona, et al. “‘Other Girls’: A Qualitative Exploration of Teenage Mothers’ Views on Teen Pregnancy in Contemporaries.” Sexuality & Culture, vol. 23, no. 3, Feb. 2019, pp. 760–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09589-4.

   I was eight years old when I moved to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica. At that age, I didn’t really understand what it meant to leave a part of myself behind. As I got older, though, I started to notice how differently people treated me because of where I came from. Whenever I told someone, I was Jamaican, they’d ask me to “speak patois” or say something “in your accent.” They expected me to sound and act like some made-up version of what they thought a Jamaican person should be. When I didn’t fit that image, I could feel their disappointment, like I wasn’t Jamaican enough for them. It was frustrating and confusing because I was just being me—but somehow, that was never what people wanted.

     My family didn’t make it much easier either. Since I moved to the U.S. so young, I don’t remember a lot about Jamaica, and instead of teaching me, they’d tease me for not knowing certain things. I remember one time my mom showed me a picture of an avocado and asked, “What do we call this in Jamaica?” When I said I didn’t know, she laughed and said, “Yeah, I thought so,” in a condescending tone. It was a pear, by the way. I laughed it off, but deep down, it made me feel like I was missing something—like I was somehow failing to be who they thought I should be.

     Then we took a trip to Jamaica after years of living in America. It felt refreshing to be back home—the warm breeze, the salty scent of the ocean drifting through the air. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged somewhere. It was the summer of 2024, and it was just my mom, my brother, and me. The sky was still brushed with the soft colors of dawn when we woke up, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. We didn’t want to waste the day, so we got ready and headed down to breakfast at the hotel’s buffet. The restaurant was quiet except for the gentle clinking of plates and the faint sound of reggae playing in the background. The waiter smiled as he seated us, and soon we were off to fill our plates. The buffet stretched across the room, overflowing with choices that made it hard to decide. My eyes moved from dish to dish—everything looked and smelled amazing. After a moment’s hesitation, I went with what felt familiar: chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It was safe. Comfortable.  I was the last one back to the table, balancing my plate carefully as I sat down. My mom and brother’s plates, in contrast, were filled with traditional Jamaican food—ackee and saltfish with dumplings and porridge. My brother glanced at my plate and grinned. “You’re having American food,” he said, laughing. My mom chuckled too. “You’re not a real Jamaican,” she teased. They meant it as a joke, but their words hit harder than I expected. I forced a smile and laughed along, but inside, something ached. In that small moment, surrounded by the sounds and smells of a place that should’ve felt like home, I felt like a stranger.

     Moments like that ended up meaning more to me than I realized. They made me question where I really belonged, like I was caught between two worlds that didn’t fully claim me. I began to feel anxious and disconnected, like no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t enough for either side. Saying I was “Jamaican” sometimes felt like a lie because I didn’t fit the image people had in their heads. That quiet pressure—to sound, act, and even think a certain way—slowly chipped away at my confidence. I started to internalize those expectations until I felt guilty for just being myself. My mental health suffered; I felt isolated, confused, and constantly on edge. Every social situation became another test of who I was supposed to be.

     But over time, I began to realize something important: being Jamaican doesn’t mean I have to live up to anyone else’s version of what that looks like. I started to understand that identity isn’t a test you can pass or fail—it’s something you grow into, at your own pace. Jamaicans take a lot of pride in where they come from, and that pride still lives in me, even if my connection looks different. I don’t have to prove it to anyone. So, I started reconnecting with my roots in my own way—talking more with family, asking about stories from before I was born, researching Jamaican history, and learning the things I used to feel embarrassed about not knowing. I began to see how rich my culture really is and how it shaped the way I see the world. More importantly, I started to let go of the idea that I had to pick a side. I realized I can be both—Jamaican and American—without one canceling out the other.

     Now, I’m learning to take pride in the parts of me that don’t fit neatly into a box. I’ve realized that belonging isn’t about meeting other people’s expectations—it’s about feeling at peace with who you are. I might not sound completely Jamaican or act completely American, but that’s okay. I’m both, and that’s what makes me unique. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s helped me learn to love who I am and be okay with defining myself my own way. I’m still growing, still figuring things out, but now I carry both worlds with me proudly—not as something that divides me, but as something that makes me whole.

The study of psychology should be mandatory for all college students because it would help them build better habits and understand other people. In this reading, it explains how reread notes an ineffective way of studying.

Instead “testing is a powerful means of improving learning, not just assessing it” (page 49).

This shows one way psychology can guide students toward effective learning strategies. Students who study psychology can develops better study habits which can leads to stronger academic performance.

Psychology is also important because it provides tools to help with mental health. College students often time face stress, and pressure so learning about psychology can help them manage these difficulties more effectively.  Learning about psychology can help us understand why people act the way they do and allow us to take sympathy toward them.

This means people are “less often judge psychological disorder as moral failing” (page 46).

By studying psychology, students gain awareness that behaviors are caused of a deeper mental struggle. Students will be able to practice empathy and supports others who are struggling.

For these reasons, psychology should not be optional. Making it mandatory ensure all students can improve their learning and have a better understand of others. 

            There are five perspectives used to study psychology, one of them is the biological perspective which is defined as any explanation of behavior and mental processes that uses life processes. Behavioral genetics is the sub-field that investigates how genes passed through generations influence personalities and how the environment shapes what we believe in. For instance, even twins who are identical in every aspect can still have many differences due to the environment they were raised in.

The environment we grow up in—especially the difference in parenting styles and cultures we experience—plays a major role in shaping who we become as individuals. From birth, children are constantly taking in information.

Research shows that until about the age of six, they absorb the world around them almost like sponges.

This process is known as socialization and observational learning, which explains why kids so often copy what they see. For example, if a toddler watches their parents politely say “thank you” when something is given to them, the child will often repeat that behavior. On the other hand, if children grow up around yelling or conflict, they may assume that is the normal form of communication. In this way, everyday observations quietly shape how children come to understand relationships, behavior, and communication.

Our genes provide the foundation for who we are, but it’s our experiences that bring that foundation to life. Most traits don’t come from a single gene but from many working together, and how they appear depends heavily on the environment we grow up in. However, some emotional and mental disorders can be passed through genetics through chemical imbalances as well. Heredity passes traits from parents to children, setting the range of possibilities we’re born with, but the environment determines how much of that potential is realized. For example, while genetics may influence the limits of a person’s intellectual ability, factors such as education, nutrition, encouragement, and opportunities will often decide where within that range a person will actually fall and what barriers or bridges their mental state will build.

            Beyond genetics and environment, the way children absorb their surroundings and the habits they form also play an important role in development within society.

Research examining nearly 50,000 American families found that chores remained a consistent responsibility from age nine through the end of high school.

Routines like these can help establish patterns that can have lasting effects, guiding children as they learn to navigate life into adulthood. Positive habits encourage growth, learning, and resilience, while negative ones—such as too much screen time or poor sleep—can hinder development. Many of these poor decisions can affect the child’s tolerance and patience causing easy frustrations with everyday tasks that are seen as foreign because of the lack of routine during their development.

In conclusion, understanding human behavior means looking at both our biology and the environments we grow up in, as well as the habits we form along the way. Our genes set the foundation, but our experiences and daily routines shape how that potential turns out. The different perspectives in psychology, like the biological and behavioral approaches, help explain these influences from different angles. Towards the goal of the discussion, it’s the mix of nature, nurture, and the choices we make that shape who we become and how we use our resources and surroundings to build ourselves and navigate everyday life.

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