Adolescent Identity Formation and the School Environment

Abstract

Forming an identity that sets a firm foundation for adulthood is the central developmental concern and issue of adolescence. Identity formation is a lifelong development which begins from “the baby’s earliest exchange of smiles” (Erikson, 2008, p. 226). Nevertheless, it significantly emerges to individuals’ consciousness or awareness during adolescence due to some significant physical and psychological changes as well as the emergence of new social expectations from the individuals (Adamson & Lyxell, 1996). School is among the important contexts within which adolescent identity formation unfolds. Despite a great deal of theoretical discussions and empirical studies in disciplines of psycholo..