Teen Identity Issues

The teenage years are a difficult stage of development. Teens develop differently during adolescence and puberty, changing in both body and mind. Stuck somewhere between child and adult, teenagers often struggle with becoming individuals and understanding themselves. Identity issues become particularly acute during the teenage years, according to University of Florida Extension. These issues include sexuality, peer pressure, rebellion and individuality.

  1. Rebellion

    • While it sounds cliche, children frequently become rebellious and combative once they reach their teen years. Teenagers often question their parents' and teachers' authority, since they feel entitled to make decisions for themselves. Although most teenagers are partly or completely dependent on their parents, they often feel like adults who can do whatever they like. It's important to accept teen rebellion, but keep it in check. Often, the more restrictive parents are, the more rebellious teens will be.

    Sexuality

    • Sexuality is one of the most difficult identity issues for teenagers. With hormones changing the way their bodies look and feel, teenagers often have questions, concerns or problems with their sexuality. Teens have to become comfortable with their sexual identity as either male or female. When entering teen years, children often choose to accept or deny traditional gender roles. Before the teen years, children don't follow or break with gender roles as consciously as when they are teenagers. In addition, teens sometimes discover that they have confusing feelings about their sexual orientation.

    Peer Pressure

    • Peer pressure can dominate, help or damage teenagers. Formulating your own identity can be difficult when pressed to behave in certain ways by friends or peer networks. Teens often do things because their friends or classmates do them. This can lead teens to experiment with drugs, alcohol, vandalism or sexual activity. Teens must learn that they can make decisions on their own without following the crowd.

    Individuality

    • Teens have trouble with the questions "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?" Understanding and being comfortable with yourself is an issue that can continue into adulthood. Teens deal with developing their own identity and breaking away from their parents while fitting into a social group. According to the University of Florida Extension, teens begin to create a "social fable" about themselves, seeing themselves in a narrative that involves how they look and act and how others perceive them.

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