Adolescence:

Identity vs. Role

Confusion
Er
 In the description for the adolescent stage, the crisis or conflict identified is that of identity and
role confusion. What does this mean?

ldentity is the concept of an individual about himself and is often referred to as "'self- identity"
that is influenced and molded by their external environment. These may include the manner by
which they interact with people. For example, the youngest child who is always treated as the
"baby" of the family, will develop an identity of a child who needs to be taken care of. Identity is
a self-belief of what the individual thinks and feels about himself. Roles oftentimes form part of
this self-identity, such as birth order in the family, the nature of work, occupation or title, and
academic and social standing. Identity is also influenced by how others perceive an individual.
For example, an eldest child may develop an authoritative identity, the kuya or ate whom their
siblings look upon as the substitute parent when they are not around.

Role confusion is the negation of self-identity, in a sense that there is confusion over one's self-
concept or the absence or lack of such a concept. Role confusion affects an individual's
relationship with others, because there is no clear definition of what he is and how he relates to
others. For example: the eldest child who is treated as the baby of the family will end up confused
over his identity. When this eldest child who thinks he is still a baby will have difficulty dealing
with other people who may expect him to behave and think like a panganay rather than a bunso.
 Changes During Adolescence
The adolescent's physiological transitioning is very pronounced at this stage. Puberty kicks in and is fueled by the hormonal
changes that are occurring and pushing the adolescent toward sexual maturation. At this stage, the brain also continues to develop.
Cognitive growth among adolescents is usually marked by the way they are able to comprehend abstract concepts, such as freedom
and human rights. Their beliefs about morality, religion, and politics are also starting to evolve. This is the stage when young men
and women begin to ask questions about the status quo, about the way things happen, and usually counter questions or situations
with a challenging question of, "why not?" Idealism is very prominent among adolescents, and so is their inclination toward
becoming very self-conscious and egocentric. Reckless behavior of adolescents are sometimes attributed to the development of
their brains since their ability to make plans and see the consequences of their actions are not yet fully developed unlike in adults
(Feist & Rosenberg, 2012).

Experimentation is a common activity among adolescents as they search for their identity. They want to be treated as adults, and
they see adult behavior as something to emulate. Unfortunately, they also mimic negative behaviors like smoking and drinking,
which are perceived as marks of manhood in some cultures such as ours. Different clothing and fashion styles are often the most
obvious ways used by adolescents in expressing their independence and in asserting their unique selves. They also search for social
groups with whom they find Common interests to further validate their chosen identity. In most high schools, various Student
organizations are being offered to students for them to choose from. Joining these organizations according to one's interest is part
of the adolescent's continuing formation of self-identity.
 Socializing among male and female adolescents also occur in this phase. In this digital era, online
friendships abound-thanks to social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and the game and
the need to develop abstract reasoning that is built in these games. Oftentimes, Twitter. Online games
are also popular among adolescents, partly due to the social aspect of adolescents are already online
friends even before they could meet face to-face.

Sexual experimentation also happens at this stage. However, due to their underdeveloped cognitive and
affective capacities and education of the matter, this experimentation sometimes end up in disaster,
such as teen pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
 Adolescence and Social Behavior
Every culture has a representation of how
their adolescent population behaved over
the decades. For example, in the USA, the
term "teenage rebellion" was popularized
in the 1950s with the Beat movement at its
forefront. Popular rebel teen stars such as
James Dean and writer Jack Kerouac
became the icons of that era. Local
teenagers copied their American
counterparts. It was the era of the "Lo'
Waist Gang," where actors wore tight (photo from “The Beats” by Mike Evans)
fitting jeans and pompadour hairstyles
slopped with pomade.
In the 1960s and 1970s, it was the hippie
movement and flower power that became
the trademark of the generation of
adolescents and young adults. The use of
psychedelic drugs and other hypnotic
substances were popular; thus, supporting
the theories about adolescence and the
experimentation that they were going
through. Social issues also became the
popular themes of this era, with the anti-
war movement against the war in Vietnam
where the slogan "Make Love, Not War"
became popular.
 The gathering at Woodstock in upstate New York,
where the hippies got together for three days amidst
music, drugs, and sex, also became one of the
enduring symbols that immortalized this generation.
On the local scene, social and political activists,
mostly high school and college students, were in the
midst of the political turmoil that dominated the
Philippines before and during Martial Law.
The social lives of the millennials are driven by technology and
their social interactions are dictated by their use of social
media networks, mobile phones, and other gadgets.
Meanwhile, the next generation born after the millennials has
not yet been given an official name and their years of birth not
yet defined. However, marketing organizations have started
calling this new generation as Generation Z, and Randstad
Canada describes Generation Z as those born between 1995
and 2010 (Randstad, 2015).
There is an interesting social
phenomenon that has taken
over the world today and it is
called “selfie phenomenon”.
 Additional developmental tasks and skills such as the following are equally important for a Filipino
adolescent to acquire:

1. Being courageous in standing up and being different from your friends. The adolescent needs to feel he
or she belongs to a group. While this is important, belonging to a group does not necessarily mean losing
one's identity and being guided by "mob rule," or what the majority does. This is especially effective
when being offered to smoke a cigarette or to drink alcoholic beverages, or even to try out dangerous
drugs. Being courageous means learning to say "No" to what one thinks is going against his or her belief
and values system even if this would mean rejection by the group.

2. Developing self-esteem. Learn to understand, accept, and appreciate oneself as a unique person.
Avoiding comparisons between you and other people is also a healthy way to develop self-esteem.

3. Being true to yourself and avoiding the tendency to please others. Adolescents find it difficult to assert
their individuality or uniqueness because they are afraid others will not approve or like them, or will not
allow them to become a member of a group. Conformity often occurs during this stage of development.
By developing one's self-esteem, the need for approval from others becomes less.
4. Learning how media and advertising are trying to influence your thinking and feelings. Understand that
news is reported for a reason: to ultimately serve the purpose of someone or some organization.
Understand that advertising employed to sell consumer products work on either fear or desires.
5. Becoming aware, critical, and being involved with social issues. Ask questions and speak up whenever
possible to address social issues such as poverty and corruption. Let our leaders know how you think and
feel about our society, and learn to suggest solutions in improving our lives.

6. Embracing a healthy lifestyle. Becoming aware of your health and the food you eat, and engaging in
sports and other physical activities beneficial to your well- being. Learn to relax.

7. Developing your spirituality. Finding what gives meaning to your life and to all the experiences you are
going through.

8. Financial literacy. This is a skill that many Filipinos need to acquire, especially adolescents who are
just about to enter adult life. Financial literacy is about understanding the value of money and how this is
acquired. In creating money, many factors are involved: time, talent, energy, skills, creativity, and
connections, are just a few of these factors. It is important for adolescents to understand that the money
that their parents give to them are hard-earned and has a corresponding value in terms of personal
sacrifice.
Summarizing Big the Ideas in this Chapter
1. Puberty involves the physical changes that happen during the adolescent stage. During
puberty, the adolescent body matures sexually.

2. Cognitive development also happens during adolescence as the brain continues to grow
and develop. New cognitive skills develop such as reasoning, abstract thinking, and
increased intelligence.

3. Social development happens during adolescence when adolescents desire for more
autonomy and independence from their families; and as their friends and peers become their
primary influence, taking over the previous roles their parents had.

4. Idealism and experimentation are hallmarks of the adolescence stage. Beliefs and values
are formed at this stage, sometimes even questioning the existing and accepted social
norms. With puberty, the adolescent also goes into experimentation of their bodies,
exploring their sexuality, as well as substances such as alcoholic drinks or drugs, which may
result in addiction or crime when left uncontrolled.
5. There are certain developmental tasks and skills adolescents have to
learn and imbibe so that they can prepare themselves in becoming more
responsible adolescents and mature toward young adulthood. These tasks
and skills will also help adolescents in defining their career preferences
while preparing them for more meaningful and productive lives.

6. Self-identity or self-concept evolves from an individual's own set of

beliefs and values system, in the roles he has identified for himself, the
responsibilities he recognizes and owns, and the expectations others have
on him.
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