Each individual is either cursed or blessed with an assortment of genetic traits that make us all unique. This is certainly an obvious statement, but the complexity of this enormous collection of genetic programming boggles the mind of almost anyone who might choose to explore its depths. Even with this potential for unlimited genetic variety and even in the presence of a number of significant guiding influences, humans remain unique from one another. However, it can be argued that environmental experiences have a greater impact on an individual's personality than genetic influences. Factors such as culture, from macro to micro, social norms and traditions, religious affiliation, education, family upbringing, and physical and mental health, to name a few, inexorably classify unique human personalities into easily recognizable social categories and behavioral patterns. with the children in our course book. Even within certain limits: same country, region, state, city, neighborhood and school, each of these children experiences their personal environment through the prism of an even finer vision. The microculture of the home, with its own rules, values ​​and role models, as well as the external forces of socioeconomic status and neighborhood livability, to name a few, all play a role in the functioning of a family system. Add to this mix parenting styles, peer pressure, role models and hormones, it's no wonder that adolescents are confused, conflicted and prone to wild fluctuations in their ability to function well and make judgments reviews. Therefore, Jessica, a sweet girl by my measurements, is tossed around in this storm of psychosocial experiences – with its multitude of conflicting ideals, mores, a…… middle of paper……they followed. In Jessica's case, her loving parents provided enough support to give her the chance to survive her intermittent but dangerous social experiences. Rachael, on the other hand, had few tools to work with as she tried every lifestyle offered to her, and she was hesitant when the story ended. Underneath it all was a story about parenthood and the missed opportunities to create an environment that would take a unique young girl and foster her growth into a confident and capable young woman. Works Cited Hersch P. (1999). Chapter 8 a circle of friends: it's not peer pressure, it's the teenage lifestyle. Chapter 16 the dilemma of a fourteen-year-old girl: contradictions as a way of life. A tribe apart, a journey to the heart of American adolescence (pp. 144-157, pp. 251-266). New York, New York. Random House Publishing Group.