Unit 4 - Personal Identity

What is the definition of identity?

• A person's ability to adapt or change in a given situation

• How someone feels in response to a given stimulus

• A person’s conception and expression of individuality or group affiliation, self-concept and self-representation

• How someone perceives a group or individual

When does a person obtain an identity?

• Identities are fluid and one will always have an identity, irrespective of age.

• Identity is developed later in life, once teenagers enter adulthood

• Identity is only developed once a person feels like they belong to larger social groups

• Identity is fixed and is one's identity is passed down genetically

What influences identity?

• Identity is influenced by external and internal forces, ranging from social groupings, culture religion, biology, etc.

• Identity is determined by astrological forces beyond the limit of our understanding.

What is adolescence?

• Young adults between the ages of 13 - 19

• A transitional period between adulthood and being senile

• The period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.

• A period of time when adults lose all sense of responsibility and start travelling in camper vans around the country.

Who are adolescents?

• The period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.

• Young adults who are typically between the ages of 10 and 19

• A rare race of sentient robots who aim to liberate high school students from oppression

• A breed of dog

Why is adolescence a significant time period for teenagers?

• Because they may experiment with risk-taking behaviours

• Because they eat more food to help them grow

• Because they become obstinate and will refuse to do the dishes at home.

• Because they undergo psychological, emotional and physical changes during this time

What would be the negative cultural assumptions that adults have of teenagers?

• That they are hard-working, compromising, dedicated and trustworthy

• That they are uncompromising, hard-working, determined and ruthless

• That they are lazy, conceited, irresponsible, and untrustworthy

• That they are simple, delicate, sensitive and vain.

What do today's teenagers typically* value?

• Friendship, family, school and study satisfaction, physical and mental health

• A high paying job, and lots of clothes

• Money, wealth and power

• Job satisfaction, intimacy with a significant other, and self-esteem

What are some of the issues that affect teenagers' sense of identity?

• Bullying, fitting-in

• Alcohol, drugs

• Body image, sexual orientation

• Social media, mental illness