The concept of personal self-determination in adolescents: a critical analysis and alternative paradigms

This article provides a critical analysis of the author's concept of personal self-determination (PSD) in adolescents, as presented in previous work. The main vulnerabilities of the concept are examined: its interventionist nature, ideological bias, age-related limitations, the issue of demand from adolescents themselves and society, as well as the feasibility of its implementation. Each critical point is accompanied by a commentary from the perspective of the PSD concept. Furthermore, alternative paradigms are analyzed: the understanding of self-determination as a spontaneous process, the position of the "happy non-reflective" individual, the flexibility of value uncertainty, as well as the previously considered socio-professional and traditional models. For each alternative, strengths and weaknesses are identified, and the possibility of synthesis with the PSD concept is assessed. The conclusion formulates directions for further research necessary for clarifying the truth.