Forming an Identity

Every adolescent, at some point, seeks answers to questions such as: Who am I? Which subjects should I study? Do I believe in God? The answers to all of these questions involve the quest to define one's own sense of self — the search for identity. Identity is who a person is, and what their values, commitments, and beliefs are. According to Erikson, the primary task of adolescence is to establish an identity that is separate from one's parents. During adolescence, a gradual process of detachment enables the individual to develop a personalised set of beliefs that are uniquely their own; in the course of achieving this identity, the adolescent may experience conflict both with their parents and within themselves. Adolescents who are able to cope with these conflicting pulls develop a coherent new sense of self. Adolescents who are not able to cope with this identity crisis, on the other hand, experience what Erikson termed 'identity confusion' — this can lead some individuals to isolate themselves from peers and family, while others may instead lose their own individual identity by disappearing into a crowd or group.

Adolescents often desire independence on the one hand, but may also feel afraid of it and show a great deal of dependence on their parents at the same time; rapid fluctuations between self-confidence and insecurity are typical of this stage — an adolescent may complain of being 'treated like a baby' at one moment, and seek comfort by depending on their parents at another. Seeking an identity involves searching for continuity and sameness within oneself, wanting greater responsibility, and trying to arrive at a clear sense of who one is.

The formation of identity during adolescence is influenced by several factors. Cultural background, family and societal values, ethnic background, and socio-economic status all have a bearing on an adolescent's search for a place in society. Family relationships tend to become somewhat less central as the adolescent spends more time outside the home and develops a strong need for peer support and acceptance; increased interaction with peers gives adolescents valuable opportunities to refine their social skills and try out different social behaviours. Peers and parents act as dual influences on adolescents, and generally serve complementary functions and fulfil different needs, even though conflicting situations with parents can, at times, push adolescents toward increased identification with their peers. Vocational commitment is another factor that influences identity formation — the question 'What are you going to be when you grow up?' requires the ability to think about the future and to set realistic and achievable goals. Some cultures give young people the freedom to choose their own occupation, while in other cultures this choice is not given to children, and the parents' decision is expected to be accepted by them instead; career counselling in schools can support this process by offering appraisal for various courses and jobs, and guidance in making career-related decisions. …