Identity: Who I am and who I will become?
By Hopeful
EDI 17 Psychology & Development of Adolescent Students
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
February 4, 2010
Long Island University, C. W. Post
February 4, 2010
When I hear the word “identity,” I believe it encompasses the characteristics, experiences, thoughts, and beliefs that define who an individual is and what is important to him/her. I really enjoyed today’s lesson because I was not only encouraged to take a deeper look at myself, but I was also exposed to new information and knowledge that I could use to analyze my identity. It’s easy to forget that identity is a constant negotiation among our present, possible, and future selves; the characteristics, memories, and values that represent the core of who we are as individuals will remain constant, but new experiences and the passage of time will cause each and every one of us to grow and further define our individual identities.
While learning about James Marcia’s four identity states, I immediately recognized the state that illustrates where I am and describes how I feel right now: the identity moratorium state. As a college student preparing to become a teacher, my career and future seems to be clearly planned and unfolding. I enjoy my major and I can certainly see myself as a teacher in the future, but I find myself constantly wondering if I have chosen the right path. I declared myself as an education major my first semester of college, but I have begun to wonder if I declared too soon. Should I have waited a year or two, exposing myself to a variety of liberal arts classes and giving myself the chance to explore other options and possibilities? I just don’t know; this uncertainty has caused me to feel an almost constant level of confusion and anxiousness and I wish I could feel more content with myself and with my life.
As a result of today’s lesson, my goal is now to reach the identity achievement state. I want to strive to resolve my identity confusion and doubt and achieve commitment to my identity as well as a true sense of self-acceptance, a true sense of belonging, and a true sense of purpose. I am confident that I can do this and I look forward to the day when I will be genuinely content and excited about my life and where my life is headed.
While learning about James Marcia’s four identity states, I immediately recognized the state that illustrates where I am and describes how I feel right now: the identity moratorium state. As a college student preparing to become a teacher, my career and future seems to be clearly planned and unfolding. I enjoy my major and I can certainly see myself as a teacher in the future, but I find myself constantly wondering if I have chosen the right path. I declared myself as an education major my first semester of college, but I have begun to wonder if I declared too soon. Should I have waited a year or two, exposing myself to a variety of liberal arts classes and giving myself the chance to explore other options and possibilities? I just don’t know; this uncertainty has caused me to feel an almost constant level of confusion and anxiousness and I wish I could feel more content with myself and with my life.
As a result of today’s lesson, my goal is now to reach the identity achievement state. I want to strive to resolve my identity confusion and doubt and achieve commitment to my identity as well as a true sense of self-acceptance, a true sense of belonging, and a true sense of purpose. I am confident that I can do this and I look forward to the day when I will be genuinely content and excited about my life and where my life is headed.
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