By: Alina .B John
Introduction
One of the main goals of adolescence is generally regarded as the development of a solid and strong sense of self. Adolescence is the first period when people start to consider how their identity may impact their lives, even though identity development happens throughout life. We are more self-conscious of our evolving identities during adolescence than at any other point in our lives.
Our sense of self as individuals and as members of social groups is referred to as identity. Our identities develop in response to both internal and external factors, so they are not merely products of our imagination. Each of us selects an identity to a certain degree, but external factors beyond our control also shape identities.
Identity is fluid, multifaceted, and evolves with time.
Definition of Key Terms
・Identity: refers to who or what a person or thing is
・Adolescence: The period following the onset of puberty during which one transitions from childhood to adulthood.
Identity development theory
A well-developed identity is made up of
person's values, beliefs, and aspirations. It
involves being conscious of one's own
consistency over time and having others
recognize this consistency (Erikson, 1980).
According to Adams and Marshall (1996), identity development is a social and individual phenomenon. A large portion of this process is presumed to occur during adolescence, when cognitive development permits a person to build a "theory of self" (Elkind, 1998) based on exposure to identity options and role models (Erikson, 1980).
According to Erikson (1968), this
developmental stage is known as an "identity crisis," a pivotal moment when a person must change in some way, guiding the adolescent toward maturation and uniqueness.
According to Eric Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, development is a lifelong process and at each stage in life there is a battle or conflict that an individual goes through.
Identity vs Confusion
According to Erik Erikson, developing an identity was the main psychosocial task of adolescence. Identity versus role confusion is what occurs when teenagers struggle with the difficulties in defining who they are. Questions about their appearance, career choices and goals, education, relationships, sexual orientation, political and social beliefs,
personality and interests are all part of this stage.
According to Erikson, this is a time of identity and life path experimentation and confusion. Teenagers put their commitment to an identity on hold while they consider their options during the psychological moratorium that occurs during adolescence.
The way a person handles all of their past childhood psychosocial crises affect how their identity develops, and this adolescent
stage serves as a link between childhood and adulthood.
According to Erikson, an adolescent's primary inquiries are, "Who am I?" and "Who am I hoping to become ?" In contrast to the role confusion, which would be an indication of failing to meet the task of adolescence, identity formation was emphasized as the the main indicator of successful development during adolescence.
When teenagers have reexamined the objectives and values of their parents and culture, this crisis is positively resolved through identity achievement and the acquisition of fidelity (the capacity to be faithful) as a new virtue. Some teenagers take on the roles and ideals that their parents have
set for them. Some teenagers form identities that are different from their parents but fit in with their peer group. As peer relationships take center stage in adolescents' lives, this shift is typical.
A more cohesive self-perception is the result of this investigation. If this stage is not resolved, the person may become lost in the crowd or further withdraw into social isolation.
More recent studies, however, indicate that few people emerge from this age range with identity accomplishment and that most achieve identity accomplishment in their early adult years.
Factors of identity development
・Ethnic Racial Identity: refers to the process by which individuals accept their identity in light of their racial and/or ethnic heritage. "The task of ethnic identity formation entails determining one's place concerning both one's ethnic group and other groups, as well as sorting out and resolving positive and negative feelings and attitudes about both."
・Gender Identity: The process of developing a gender identity has become a prolonged task as gender attitudes and conventions continue to shift. Men's and women's roles are changing, and the absence of a gender binary gives teenagers greater latitude to experiment with different facets of gender. To cope with this uncertainty, some teenagers may give up on a gender identity and instead take on more stereotypical roles that are either male or female (Sinclair & Carlsson, 2013). Young people who go to college may be able to reopen their questions about their own gender identity as a result of being exposed to a greater range of options and role models, which could lead to additional research and new commitments.
・Sexual Identity: Carroll (2016) states that most teenagers start to show interest in close relationships and may even start experimenting with sexual activity by the age of 14. Even if they are not prepared, many teenagers feel pressured to show interest in relationships with people of the opposite sex. Teenagers who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, or who are unsure of their sexual orientation may find this pressure particularly stressful. During their exploration, many non-heterosexual teenagers face unfavorable responses from their family and peers. Adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual may experience feelings of self-doubt, depression, and alienation as a result of their parents' lack of acceptance, which can have particularly negative effects on their developing sexual identity.
Importance of Identity Development in Adolescence
Teenagers and young adults without a strong
sense of self are more likely to struggle with
confidence and self-worth, participate in risky
behaviors, or suffer from mental health
conditions like anxiety and depression.
Adolescents with a strong sense of self are better equipped to make wiser choices in life. They are therefore more likely to have a positive outlook on life and make healthy decisions. Additionally, they are more capable of managing difficulties like academic stress and peer pressure. Because of this, young people must have a strong sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-awareness to successfully navigate the changes that occur during their teens.
References
・Adolescent Identity Development - ACT for Youth. (n.d.).
・Identity Development Theory | Adolescent Psychology. (n.d.). https://courses.lumenlearning.com/adolescent/chapter/identity-development-theory/
・The Human Development Teaching & Learning Group. (n.d.). Identity Development during Adolescence. Pressbooks.
・Stephenson, T. (2023, June 20). Building a powerful self-identity: Why it matters for adolescents. Monash Lens.
https://lens.monash.edu/@education/2023/05/01/1385697/building-a-powerful-self-identity-why-it-matters-for-adolescents#:~:text=As%20a%20critical%20stage%20of,before%2 0the%20age%20of%2025.
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