Identity development is said to be a defining process of adolescence, a time when a teen is grappling with the multiple roles they play in terms of culture, ethnicity, gender, peer group, and family structure. However, it does have roots earlier. In infancy and childhood, children first recognize that they are individuals, distinct from caregivers and others. They learn that they have their own desires, likes, and dislikes and gain a self-concept. This self-concept, then, is tested against the social bonds they have formed with family and the emerging relationships with playmates and friends.
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This recognition then encourages children to explore who they are and their place in the world. As they grow older, identity development becomes more complex as they become aware of additional aspects such as gender, ethnicity, religion and sexuality.
Identity development is an essential part of human growth and development. It involves developing a sense of self-awareness, understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses, discovering individual values, beliefs and goals that define what it means to be oneself. The process can involve exploration through different contexts including family relationships; peer group dynamics; educational opportunities; media influences; religious/cultural/ethnic traditions; work experiences; extracurricular activities