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Identity is the sense of self. It is the answer to our quest for who am I, our values, beliefs etc. Seeking an identity means locating one’s place in the social setup. Identiy also refers to one’s skills and attributes as a person. As you have read during childhood, parental beliefs and attitudes exert pressure on the thinking process of child. The adolescent period.
Initiates the development of a personalized set of beliefs which many a time give birth to conflict with elders and society. The adolescent period shows rapid shift between self confidence and insecurity. Identity confusion happens to be a major characteristic of adolescence. The parents, teachers and members are expected to be responsive to the needs of the adolescents and help them achieve their goals and aspirations that provide him or her a meaningful identity.
Most of the adolescents come out of the identity crisis by the time of their adulthood. Some are disturbed and confused to have a lot of problems in their early adult life. The extent of adolescent crisis varies from society to society. In the traditional joint families in India, a young adult can continue to be dependent on the family for a much longer period than is noticed in the western societies. As a result, the western adolescents may actually have a shorter period of preparation to assume an independent adult role compared to the Indian youth. In any case, adolescence is a period of great upheaval and challenge for the young mind.
Of course, the adolescent reaches a stage of cognitive maturity by his/her ability to think hypothetically and in abstract ways. By the end of the adolescence period, thinking becomes quite scientific and logical. Adolescents can be very creative and innovative in their thinking and most of them engage in some creative activity at least temporarily. Their thinking appears to be immature because they seem to be unsure of themselves and their identity and also because they are more likely than adults to engage in high-risk or rash behaviour.
But in terms of their cognitive development, adolescents quickly reach a level of thinking which differs little from the adults.
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