IDENTITY CRISIS

In psychology [Erik Erickson], identity crisis is the failure to

achieve ego identity or selfidentity (Wikipedia) during
adolescence. The stage
of psychosocial development in which identity crisis may occur
is called the identity cohesion vs. role confusion (adolescent’s
stage).
During this stage, adolescents are faced with physical growth,
sexual maturity, and integrating ideas of themselves and about
what others think of them. Adolescents therefore form their self-
image. Let's take a closer look at the background and different
stages that make up Erikson's psychosocial theory.
If this stage is handled well, the person will feel a sense of
maturity, which is sometimes referred to as ego quality, gender
equality or sexual equality (Wikipedia).

If the stage is managed poorly, the person will emerge with a

sense of inadequacy (lacking of something) in that aspect of
development which will lead to role or identity confusion and a
weak sense of self.
According to Erikson, adolescents (teenagers) must overcome self-
identity crises and identity confusion. Identity confusion is indicated
by their inability to value their roles in the community, personality
issues, a lack of goals, hobbies, or plans for their future, a bad
attitude, and no interest in daily activities. This will result to risk-
taking behaviors or destructive behaviors which can be displayed in
school, in their community, or maybe in their own family.
These behaviors are characterized by bullying, smoking,
inappropriate diet, lack of physical activity, drug and alcohol abuse,
premarital sex and sexual crimes, violence, suicide, murder, motor
vehicle accidents, and multiple partnerships which could sometimes
lead to the spreading of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What
How important is the role of families when
it comes to concerns like identity crisis?
Family has a major influence on adolescents in terms of limiting
risk-taking behavior. Parental monitoring is a powerful tool for
preventing adolescents from engaging in risk-taking behaviors.
 Other practical ways which help you
 Do something you're passionate about like engaging in sports,
through with identity crisis:
playing guitar, journal writing, etc.;
 Hanging out with good influential (GI) friends, not the bad
influential (BI) ones;
 Join church/religious groups and organizations;  Find ways to
grow personally. Do not withdraw yourself from classmates or
friends when something is wrong. Face it and handle it accordingly;
 If you wish to cry, then cry! If you want to enjoy, then enjoy!
Release your inner self and do not hold grudges, and;
 APPLY GOOD DECISION MAKING IN ALL
CIRCUMSTANCES. A good decision is a decision in which you
have carefully considered the outcome of each choice.