Chapter 8: Identity

Identity

On the site

The Adolescence: Change and Continuity site was written by students enrolled in introductory and advanced classes in adolescent development, using the Steinberg textbook on Adolescence. Three students wrote autobiographies, exploring their own identity formation processes, and posted them on the site. They call themselves 'Jennifer', 'Kelly', and 'Abigail'. How do their experiences in their families, at school, with their friends, and with their boyfriends appear to shape their sense of how they are? How are their experiences similar, and different from, the processes described in the text?

Background Reading

• Additional information on identity and self-esteem can be found in the Identity section of the Adolescence: Change and Continuity website.
• The National Association for Self-Esteem tries to help all people develop a personal sense of self-worth and happiness. You may be particularly interested in the discussion line.
• Although all the women here went through their adolescence without spending much time on the Internet, the anonymity and power of the Internet does offer interesting possibilities for identity development. These issues are discussed in an article published by the American Psychological Association. It includes link to an on-line book on the Psychology of Cyberspace.
• Shykids.com offers a very gentle site for children and adolescents. Much of this is aimed at developing confidence and more positive feelings about the self.