IDENTITY CRISIS - A PSYCOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE
Identity is a multidimensional word. lt may be defined as the distinctive characteristic belonging to any given individual, or shared by all members of a particular social category or group.
An identity crisis essentially means a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or role in society.
“Who am I?”
“Where do I fit in?”
“Will other people accept me?”
If these questions sound familiar, it might be because you're facing an identity crisis. It's not something scary or wrong. It's a part of life. An identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. It’s awkward, confusing, and frustrating at times – and it can wreck havoc on a person's self-esteem.
English literature abounds with novels that address identity crisis as a literary theme. Some of the angles in which literature explores identity crisis are as follows :
Getting caught in an identity crisis.
Some novels explore what happens when the protagonist is torn between who they are and who others want them to be. Painful internal conflicts peppered with questions like “Am I a good person?” and “Why can’t I be who I really am?” arise. Readers can relate to this struggle in real life, since they may also find themselves caught between how their parents, friends, or other influencers see them and how they see themselves.
Identity Is a (Complicated) Choice.
Reading about adults or other teens coming to terms with their individual identities, readers realize how complex and ever-changing one’s sense of self can be. And when they eventually embrace their many layers, the outcome of their choice inspires readers and teaches them that all people yearn to understand who they are – and once they do, that knowledge can be empowering beyond words.
Learning to Accept Who You Are
Self-acceptance can be a hard-fought battle for many people. Their circumstances at home, in school, or in certain relationships can make it difficult for them to share their traumatic pasts, sexual orientation, or gender identity with others. Characters aren’t hiding who they are. Rather, their stories are about seeking acceptance from others as well as themselves and learning to be comfortable with who they are.
THE BOOK WE'VE CHOSEN IS SLATED
The book; 'Slated' written by Teri Terry also explores the case of identity crisis. The book is set in the mid-21st century, where suspected young criminals in the United Kingdom have their memories erased so they can earn a second chance with a new name and an adoptive family. This story revolves around a sixteen year old girl Kyla, who has no idea who she was or what she did , she was one of the 'slated' whose memories have been erased, personality wiped blank, and identity lost forever, but she's troubled by recurring nightmares that she shouldn't be having , which makes her curious about her differences from the others who are 'slated' ,If slating is only for criminals, why are people who have done nothing wrong suddenly disappearing? The more fearful she becomes, the more determined she is to fight back. Threaded through the story is her forbidden romance with Ben, another 'slated', who is willing to risk his life to find out the truth.
REASON FOR CHOOSING THIS BOOK
The book SLATED was chosen because it is compelling to read and provocative to ponder and discuss. It is a stunning novel of a teen's struggle against the government tyranny. The Author, Teri Terry vividly depicts terrorism from both the government and the secret opposition sides. It talks about prejudice , harassment and potrays a strong sense of menace throughout the novel, both from the government Lorders and the anti-government Terrorists .
Researchers have found that those who have made a strong commitment to an identity tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not. Those with a status of identity diffusion tend to feel out of place in the world and don't pursue a sense of identity.
In today's rapidly changing world, identity crises are more common today than in Erikson's day. These conflicts are certainly not confined to the teenage years. People tend to experience them at various points throughout life, particularly at points of great change such as starting a new job, the beginning of a new relationship, the end of a marriage, or the birth of a child. Exploring different aspects of yourself in the different areas of life, including your role at work, within the family, and in romantic relationships, can help strengthen your personal identity.
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