Identity and Self-Concept
Although dramatic changes occur to children in the first three years of life, the developmental changes that occur from middle childhood up to adolescence (6-14 years) are much more pronounced. For proper presentation of the discussion, the broad period of the middle childhood is 6 to 10 years while that of early adolescence is 11 to 14 years. The identity and self-concept are geared towards achieving psychological needs such as autonomy, competence and relatedness (Jones, R. et. al, 2014). The young people want to make independent decisions, master new skills, control their behavior and form meaningful relationships with peers and adults outside their families. The development of these aspects is subject to social, biological and cultural factors.
Social Factors
Parents and religion are some of the most influential social factors in the development of children in their middle age right through to adolescence. For instance, mothers create a sense of trust in their children, and they also promote the capabilities to be initiative among children from middle age to adolescence (Sengsavang & Krettenauer, 2015). Parental marital status, parent-child relations and parenting are critical in identity formation and so are peers and friendships. The environment and siblings also shape the development of identity and self-concept in middle age children (Sengsavang & Krettenauer, 2015). The children want to seek autonomy from younger siblings while the challenges from members of the opposite sex and older siblings cause the middle aged ones to develop identities and self-concepts to help them compete. School, teachers and technology help the young persons to develop industriousness.
Biological Factors
The biological factors that influence the formation of identity and self-concept include the rapid growth spurt in the middle age right through to the early adolescence as well as the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics in puberty (Jones, R. et. al, 2014). Hormones controlling physical development become very active in early puberty and if improperly handled the changes in voice, body shape, development of beard, breasts and other features could interfere negatively and lead a young person to develop stubbornness and rebellion. The commencement of sexual relations as a result of intense sexual urges is an identity issue dependent on individual people. On average girls experience the biological changes earlier than boys, and this has impacts on the development of identity or self-concept in both genders (Jones, R. et. al, 2014). For instance, early maturing females tend to gain weight and may become fat against their expectations of maintaining a slim figure and this has a huge impact on their self-esteem and identity.
Cultural Factors
Children aged between 6 and 14 years are adapting to their cultures, and they tend to do anything possible to fit into that culture in an acceptable manner. For instance, in the culture that prioritizes education and academic excellence children will acquire reading and arithmetic skills (Jones, R. et. al, 2014). In a culture that values individuality and self –expression through arts say music, dancing, sports, and modeling; children will start to acquire such skills depending on the role model and the guidance they receive from those in their culture. In a society that values excellence in these cultural aspects children will seek continual self-improvement and identity along such lines.
Children also become aware of cultural factors such as ethnic identities, gender identities, social-economic status, sexualities and how these issues affect their day to day lives. According to Sengsavang and Krettenauer, (2015) children become aware of their culture and increasingly aware of the group memberships, stereotypes, and the complexities that lie in their cultures.
This information is important my future counseling practice, especially when dealing with children aged between 6 to 14 years or adults handling such children. An understanding of the underlying social, biological and cultural factors affecting identity development helps to address any problems wholesomely and with the best interests of the middle-aged child or early adolescent at heart. Knowledge of the motivations helps to avoid condemnation who are problematic and instead help to guide them on the correct path. I believe that when armed with information on identity development in young people I can guide a young adolescent who is feeling worthless as a result of poor academic performances or failure to excel in the desired sport.
References
Jones, R. ET. Al (2014). Friendship characteristics, psychosocial development, and adolescent identity formation. Utah State University. Personal Relationships, 21, 51–67
Sengsavang, S. & Krettenauer, T. (2015) Children’s moral self-concept: The role of Aggression and parent-child relationships. Merrill-palmer Quarterly, April 2015, Vol. 61, No. 2, pp. 213–235
