Identity foreclosure: A crucial phase of adolescence
Identity refers to our sense of who we are as individuals and as members of social groups. Our identities are not simply our own creation. They grow in response to both internal and external factors. Adolescence is the stage where youngsters are in the process of figuring out their identities. One crucial step in this process is known as identity foreclosure. At this stage, adolescents tend to imbibe certain traits from people in their close circuit without actually figuring out their real self.
What is identity foreclosure all about?
Identity foreclosure is that stage in the life of adolescents when their self-exploration is incomplete but they feel that they have found their identity. This happens because they unknowingly adopt certain characters and qualities of their parents, certain friends and relatives they respect without figuring out who they are. The unconscious commitment to an acquired or adopted identity before internalising its traits is what is known as identity foreclosure. Usually, the step which leads out of identity foreclosure is known an identity crisis.
Tweens are most likely to be at this transitional phase of discovering their identity. They may end up subscribing to the political view of their parents or someone they are in awe of without being sure of their own beliefs and preferences. However, they question themselves at a later stage and reach their true identity. It usually occurs when the teen is exposed to environments that contradict their taught beliefs and offer a shiny new world of possibilities and freedom.
How can parents help their kids find their identity?
Parents need to make conscious efforts to help their kids find their own identity while ensuring that their kids are not their carbon copy. Motivating them to question what they see and seek is the first step towards this. This will help them embark on an inward journey which is a must for finding the true self. Here are some other steps that you can take to help your tweens achieve their real identity:
- Encourage curiosity and the desire to explore
- Help them tap into their explicit and implicit interests
- Support them in their preferences
- Let them learn from the natural consequences of their choices