Articles

Identity Crisis

Who am I?

Who am I?  What am I all about? What am I going to do with my life? What is different about me? How can I make it on my own? These are some of the questions which surface as common, virtually universal concerns during adolescence.

Adolescence is a time when they examine who they are what they are all about, and where they are going in life. Adolescents are confronted with many new roles such as vocational and romantic roles at the same time when a volcanic eruption of sex hormones is erupting inside them.  

Adolescence is time of great turmoil in life of an individual, it is the time of heightened susceptibility to a particular developmental changes associated with puberty. Teenagers experience rapid changes in body build, hormones, emotions, and cognitive abilities.  Perhaps for the first time in life, they contemplate their roles in society including their careers, values, and gender role.

 So the question arises what is identity?

Identity development rather than identity is a gradual process, not a cataclysmic transition. We should not forget that identity formation neither begins nor ends in adolescence. It begins as a person begins to explore his or her surroundings that begins with the appearance of attachment in infancy, and reaches its final phase with a life review and integration in old age.

 Adolescents experience psychosocial moratorium, a state between childhood security and adult autonomy as a part of their identity exploration.

 The main goal of identity formation in adolescence is to establish a clear sense of self. This is done by “trying on” different roles in various settings, such as home, school, and other social settings. In this process young people explore their own values, ethics, spirituality, racial and ethnic identity, sexuality, and gender.

  Identity formation can be a time of crisis as adolescence navigate through the stormy years of teenage.

“Identity crisis” is a term well known to almost all but many don’t know what exactly it is. An identity crisis is most notably marked by feelings of confusion about your place in the world, of not knowing who you are.

People who are experiencing an identity crisis often have some of the following thoughts:

• I don’t know who I am
• I don’t know what my role in life is
• I am unsatisfied by my present life
• I don’t know what to do next
• All of my efforts to change are futile

These thoughts can demoralize an individual and have significant effects on their wellbeing. As such, it is important not to take an identity crisis lightly or to sweep it under the rug.

An identity crisis not necessarily will happen in adolescence only but it can happen during any life stage. For many people, an identity crisis is triggered by a particular life event- divorce, the passing of a loved one, parenthood or losing your job can all lead you to question your place in the grand scheme of things. Or feelings of dissatisfaction can creep up, with seemingly no logical source, and soon destabilize everything that you have built your self-concept around.

But an identity crisis is something which every adolescence should go through. However the degree of difficulty faced by an adolescence vary during this time. Some may have a much more difficult time with it than others, but everyone must struggle with this concept of finding out who they are to some degree or another

. In addition, not every adolescent goes through an identity crisis at all but instead accepts the roles and values handed down by his or her parents. Some adolescents remain in a permanent state ofcrisis. Because there are more than two ways that people navigate their adolescent identity issues .Adolescence is full of challenges for any child. The change is fast, everywhere, and hard to keep up with: The body changes in response to increasing levels of sex hormones; the thinking process changes as the child is able to think more broadly and in an abstract way; the social life changes as new people and peers come into scope. Yet the child needs to deal with every single one of these changes, all at the same time! 
Adolescents yearn to develop a unique and independent identity, separate from their parents’. Yes, they love their parents, but they don’t simply want to follow their foot steps. They challenge their parents in any way they can. They disobey their rules; criticize their "old fashioned" values; they discard their suggestions. Experienced parents know that sometimes they have to be very "political" approaching their adolescent children, if they are going to get their point across. On the other hand, adolescents give a lot of credit to their peers. They yearn to belong to a peer group which would define and support their identity. They may attempt to do things very much out of character just to gain the approval and acceptance of their peers. They tend to hide their weaknesses and exaggerate their strengths. Of course, what adolescents consider as "weakness" or "strength" may sometimes shock their parents. But parents sometimes needs to take a back seat and let their child explore. Too much of interference may have negative effects

But With their willingness to help, parents, who have "been there", with the life experience, maturity and resources. So, how can parents help? Recognizing the complex and sometimes conflicting needs of an adolescent would be a good point to start. Parents are important figures in the adolescent’s development of identity.

One recent study found that poor communication between mothers and adolescents and persistent conflict with friends were linked to less positive identity development. The presence of a family atmosphere that promotes both individuality and connectedness is important in the adolescent’s identity development.

Parents are always a great help to their children to cope with the stress of adolescence years but in the end it is the individual who has to face this storm. Some of the key points which might help to successfully come from the state of identity crisis are

• EXPLORE : Often, a key contributor toward an identity crisis is monotony in your present life. Make time to try new things and meet new people . By changing up your routine you will discover new hobbies, new people and, soon enough, a new lease on life.
• RECONCILE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: While exploration is thrilling, be sure not to make any rash decisions or take significant risks at this vulnerable moment in your life. Make sure that any major decisions or purchases you make are well-thought out, and not charged by the “heat of the moment”. Always remember that your actions don’t just impact you, but those around you as well
• FORGE NEW GOALS: Once you have explored new aspects of your life and yourself, it is time to create some new goals to work towards. .By creating new targets to work toward, you will give yourself a purpose and spice up your life with some excitement again

While teens are learning what makes them unique, they also have an increased needs to “fit in”. Therefore identity formation can be especially challenging for teens who feel different from others because of their cultural. Ethnic, gender, or sexual identity.