I found the section on identity in chapter 16 to be particularly interesting. Developing an identity is something I am still working on as an emerging adult. In fact, I think late teens to early 20's is a critical time for the shaping of one's identity. It's during the 20's, after all, that we make very important decisions that will probably impact the rest of our lives. We answer questions like: How do I make a living? What are my passions? Where do I want to live? Who do I want to live with? Should I get married? Should I have kids? What makes life meaningful? I think millennials are extending their exploration of identity. Part of this is out of our control.
My teenage self didn't ask many questions. I felt like a valued member of the communities I belonged to and in general my parents were very supportive of me growing up. According to Berger, when teens accept traditional values without questioning, it's known as forclosure (Berger, 2011). I was totally guilty of this. I identified with my parents' religion and political views. When I learned something in class I took it as fact. It wasn't until I got to college that I truly learned how to learn...about the world and about myself. I will continue to ask questions as I develop my identity.
I found this section interesting as well. You may be totally guilty of accepting traditional values without questioning, but I don't think you ever have to be ashamed of this. The important thing is you've grown and matured and learned to think for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI've also observed these four ways of facing identity versus role confusion in myself and others. I've moved into and out of foreclosure more than once. The scariest thing is to begin to question everything you've ever been taught and begin to make up your own mind about it.
In some ways I've reached "achievement" I know what I want to do with my life - educate people about the use and benefits of medicinal plants, in a decided way that i didn't know when I was 20 or even 25. I'm still in school though, and will be for a few more years, so in that way I'm still preparing for my career. And as a single career woman in a subculture that highly values marriage and family I suppose i haven't fully achieved gender identity either. I'm quite happy single though and don't think I have to take on the same gender roles as my friends, so maybe I have achieved gender identity :).