(Part 3 of 9)
At the crossroads of adolescence, teenagers stand at a crucial moment in their lives, facing the daunting task of forging their identities. In a world that often seeks to categorise and label them, they are confronted with a choice: to conform to societal expectations or to boldly defy the labels imposed upon them. This journey of self-discovery explores untrodden paths, where the essence of their true identity is waiting to be discovered. We are exploring how teenagers can manage the challenging journey of identity formation, embracing their uniqueness and challenging society’s limitations. So, let’s question the status quo, embrace your individuality, and pave your path towards an authentic and empowered sense of self.
“Roles can be taken away, but identity can never be stripped from us. It is the core of our being.” – Author Unknown.
Teenagers often confuse role and identity; however, grasping their differences is crucial to developing a clear and authentic sense of self. Roles include the behaviours, responsibilities, and expectations of specific positions or social contexts. These roles are defined by society, culture, or specific environments such as family, school, or work. For example, a teenager may have roles such as being a student, a sibling, a friend, or an employee. Each role carries certain expectations and behaviours that shape how they act in different contexts. For instance, as a student, one attends school, studies, and completes homework, while as a sibling, responsibilities towards brothers or sisters come into play.
On the other hand, identity includes the sense of self that individuals develop through their experiences, values, beliefs, and personal attributes. It represents a cohesive and integrated self-concept beyond external roles and societal expectations. It involves understanding one’s unique qualities, beliefs, passions, and what matters most to them. For example, someone’s identity might be that of a caring and creative person who loves animals and enjoys playing the guitar. So, it reflects what makes them unique and what resonates with their core being.
“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives.”- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Confusion arises when individuals compare their identity solely with their roles and believe these roles define their worth. It can result in a lack of self-awareness and a shallow self-concept of themselves. When someone’s identity becomes solely defined by external roles, they may experience confusion or loss when those roles change or are no longer relevant. For instance, if a teen’s entire identity is based on being a student, they may feel lost or confused when they graduate and no longer have that role. They may struggle to comprehend who they are without that specific role, which can be unsettling.
Teenagers must engage in self-exploration, introspection, and reflection to overcome this confusion. They must go beyond societal expectations and roles and understand their values, interests, passions, and beliefs. This process involves reflecting on their experiences, questioning assumptions, and defining themselves deeper to become self-aware.
Healthy identity formation is a complex process that involves several tasks essential for teenagers to develop a strong and coherent sense of self and choose a path. The first task in choosing this path is exploration, where teenagers actively explore various options, possibilities, and roles. It includes exploring career choices, personal values, relationships, interests, and beliefs. For example, they may explore different extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs to gain exposure to different experiences and discover their passions and interests.
Once teenagers have explored different options, the next task is commitment, which involves making decisions and choosing specific paths or roles that align with their values, interests, and aspirations. For instance, they may commit to pursuing a particular career path, joining a club or organisation that shares their values, or forming deep and meaningful relationships with friends with similar interests.
Reconsideration is an ongoing process of critically evaluating and re-evaluating one’s choices and commitments. Teenagers must reflect on whether their chosen identity aligns with their authentic selves and be open to rethinking decisions if necessary. For example, teenagers committed to a particular belief system may re-evaluate their beliefs by encountering new perspectives or experiences that challenge their views.
The final task is integration, which involves combining different aspects of one’s identity into a cohesive whole. Teenagers must integrate various roles, values, beliefs, and interests to develop a consistent and meaningful sense of self. For instance, a teenager who is an athlete and an artist must find ways to integrate these two aspects of their identity and understand how they complement and shape each other.
“Identity is not static, but a dynamic and ongoing process of self-discovery and self-creation.” – James E. Marcia
Now, let’s relate these tasks to the four identity statuses proposed by James Marcia, which builds upon Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Marcia identified four critical identity statuses or categories that individuals might adopt. These four statuses are based on the interaction between exploration and commitment, as discussed in the previous paragraphs.
- Identity diffusion refers to a status where individuals have yet to explore alternatives or commit to specific roles or values. As a result, they may feel disconnected or disinterested in their identity and need direction or purpose. Exploration is crucial for individuals in this status to break free from diffusion and actively seek out different possibilities.
- Identity foreclosure occurs when individuals commit to specific roles or identities without exploring other options. Instead, they adopt beliefs, values, and goals based on external influences, such as family or societal expectations, rather than personal exploration. Reconsideration is essential for individuals in this status as they may conform to predefined roles without critically examining their alignment with their authentic selves. However, they may miss discovering their passions, interests, and potential. For example, a musically gifted individual becomes a doctor because it is a family tradition for siblings to become doctors, so there’s no exploration but high commitment due to loyalties to culture. Moreover, they may also struggle with adapting to change or unexpected life events. Since their identity is based on predetermined commitments, they may face difficulties when confronted with new experiences or challenges that require flexibility and openness to different possibilities.
- An identity moratorium is a status where individuals actively explore various possibilities and alternatives. They are engaged in exploration and experimentation, questioning established beliefs and values and are open to discovering new aspects of their identity. However, the disadvantage of this status may mean individuals experience a prolonged period of uncertainty and indecisiveness, exploring various possibilities and alternatives without making firm commitments, which can lead to confusion and a lack of direction in life. In addition, their constant search for identity can prevent them from fully engaging in activities, relationships, and responsibilities, leading to missed opportunities for growth and maturity. As a result, they may experience internal conflicts, inner struggles, and emotional distress as they grapple with different identities and the uncertainty of not having a solid sense of self.
- Identity achievement means individuals have actively explored different options, critically evaluated their choices, and made commitments that align with their values and aspirations. Integration plays a significant role in identity achievement, as individuals have successfully integrated various aspects of their identity into a coherent and well-defined sense of self. This clarity provides a solid foundation for decision-making, goal-setting, and managing life’s challenges due to healthy self-esteem with greater belief in their abilities, strengths, and values. This self-assurance enables them to approach life with a positive mindset, take risks, and pursue their goals with determination. Moreover, a sense of integrity is developed, building genuine and meaningful relationships and acquiring a strong sense of belonging.
It’s important to note that these identity statuses are not fixed or linear. Individuals may move through these statuses over time, and the process of identity formation is ongoing and dynamic. Teenagers may revisit and re-evaluate their identity at different stages of life as they encounter new experiences and challenges.
To find their true selves and live fulfilling lives, teenagers must take an essential first step: separating their roles from their identities. It means recognising that who they are goes beyond the labels and expectations placed upon them. It requires them to reflect on their thoughts and feelings, look inward, and be open to new experiences.
Creating a healthy and authentic identity involves actively exploring different aspects of themselves, making choices that align with their values, thinking critically about their decisions, and integrating all the different parts of who they are. By understanding these tasks and how they relate to the four identity statuses, teenagers can manage the challenges of adolescence and discover who they are.
“Identity is not something to be found or discovered, but something to be created and continually shaped.” – Judith Butler.