Growing Social Skills in Adolescents

My Capstone project revolves around gathering a large group of adolescents that range from middle to high school ages. During my middle school and even high school years, I can remember from personal experience being nervous and somewhat apprehensive to attend events that involved a large group of peers. I'd imagine that today kids share these same feelings whether it be a school dance, party, sporting event, or in this case a religious concert. Socializing can be difficult for some adolescents as they attempt to find where and who they fit in with at this stage in life.

"Adolescence is characterized by the psychological changes that effect an individuals sense of identity, their self-consciousness and their relationship with others" -Sarah Jane Blakemore

People come from all different backgrounds with different experiences that are shaped during much their adolescent life. I believe by giving these adolescence the opportunity to celebrate their faith amongst peers in a safe and entertaining environment, such as a christian concert, you are giving them an opportunity to develop social skills that will carry on throughout future socializing opportunities in their lives. In comparison to children, studies show that adolescents,ranging from ages 14-19 are more sociable and form complex peer relationships. These studies also show that adolescents are more sensitive to acceptance and rejection during these years of life. (Blakemore, 2008)  I came across a quote during music research that I feel is a perfect explanation for the Music in the Mountains event.

“Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: We are the same.” -John Denver

The experience that adolescents should take away from this concert is one that unites people with a common interest of faith, but positively educates one other from different backgrounds.