Identity is one of the essential components of the personality of any person. In the context of identity development, adolescence is the most critical moment in a person’s life (Berk, 2018). However, resolving identity conflicts is a challenging process; besides, identity can be viewed from different points of view. Teenagers go through a difficult stage in their lives, as they need to decide on many circumstances. This list includes both attitudes to the family and the acquisition of a certain autonomy until the acquisition of constancy and confidence in their sexuality.
However, despite the number of components, it is imperative to address each of them. If a factor is missed, the teenager will have to make up for the lost time in the future, when it will be much more challenging to do it. The adolescent period presents many obstacles; however, at the same time, this is a time of opportunities that must be achieved for full development. For example, as adolescents grow up, they begin to have a romantic interest in others; however, further developing relationships can become a problem.
In a modern context, when a considerable part of the relationship is tied to social networks, finding a friend or partner becomes even more difficult. Although the use of social networks allows you to create a whole social map, it can be complicated to find out who communicates with whom, realizing these connections and translating them into the real world (Glass, 2015). While teens could only socialize in person in the past, there are now many more barriers to communication, including romance (Ehmke, n.d.). Adolescents need to take many more steps to achieve whatever they want. However, these steps are required because without them; the personality will not be fully formed.
Because the process is exceptionally complex, adolescents need all the help they can get. First of all, children need to be prepared in advance, showing them how best to build particular views and values. A pre-trained child, to whom the correct attitude towards sexual orientation was explained, will be more relaxed towards LGBT people. In addition, they will feel more comfortable coming out on their own if necessary (Kosciw et al., 2015). Such support can come from both relatives and friends. However, effective assistance requires disseminating information that will help adolescents navigate a massive variety of identities to choose from them what suits them successfully.
References
Berk, L.E. (2018). Exploring lifespan development. Pearson.
Ehmke, R. (n.d.). Dating during the pandemic. Child Mind Institute. Web.
Kosciw, J. G., Palmer, N. A., & Kull, R. M. (2015). Reflecting resiliency: Openness about sexual orientation and/or gender identity and its relationship to well-being and educational outcomes for LGBT students. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55(1-2), 167-178. Web.
Glass, I. (Executive Producer). (2015). Status Update (No. 573) [Audio Podcast Episode]. In This American Life. WBEZ. Web.