ERIC Number: EJ806249
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Sep
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1050-8392
EISSN: N/A
Identity Agents: Parents as Active and Reflective Participants in their Children's Identity Formation
Schachter, Elli P.; Ventura, Jonathan J.
Journal of Research on Adolescence, v18 n3 p449-476 Sep 2008
The paper introduces the concept of identity agents. This concept refers to those individuals who actively interact with children and youth with the intention of participating in their identity formation, and who reflectively mediate larger social influences on identity formation. This contrasts with the focus of mainstream research in the identity field that tends to portray adolescents as the sole reflective agents involved in mature identity development. The paper presents a theoretical analysis presenting the importance of the concept for the formulation of a comprehensive contextual theory of identity formation. The particulars of this concept are illustrated through the presentation of a qualitative report of religious parents actively encouraging their children's processes of identification, co-participating in their children's identity's formation, and reflectively deliberating their parental roles and goals in regards to this process.
Descriptors: Adolescents, Social Influences, Self Concept, Parent Child Relationship, Qualitative Research, Religion, Parent Role, Parent Aspiration
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Publication Type: Information Analyses; Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A