Identity
Identity is one of the most quietly important factors in the way we live our lives. While generally during our childhood we do not question the identity others give us, the teenage years can be a time of (re)establishing your life goals, creed, and identity. It is during this tumultuous time that many teenagers have identity crises and feel like they do not fit in.
Many of us accept the identity which we are born with and given throughout our lives. For example, someone's birth sex might be XY male, and they may identify as someone of the male gender. For many of those cis-gender (cis meaning gender is same as sex) individuals, it can be hard to understand the plight of other individuals who are uncomfortable with the gender they have been given and feel that the other gender describes them more accurately. The unfortunate truth is that our society, and in fact any society, has certain guidelines and stereotypes for the behaviors of people of different races, genders, ethnic groups, religions, etc. When someone does not follow these guidelines, they can be ostracized. As a result, they may feel like they are not worth as much as someone else who fits within the stereotypes. While to many these roles are simply guidelines, others can have a negatively impacted self-worth when they do not follow their expected role. If you know anyone who might be in that situation, it is important to let them know that they are not worth any less for not following a specific role. At the end of the day, every human is different and cannot be fit into a certain bucket. Remind them that they shouldn't feel bad about what they aren't: instead they should take pride in what they are.
If someone is feeling left out, the best solution to change that is to include them in activities, discussions, etc. Defend them for who they are if you see them being ostracized. Even one friend can make a huge difference during a transitory period when someone's feelings of self-worth are at a low.
Identity is one of the most quietly important factors in the way we live our lives. While generally during our childhood we do not question the identity others give us, the teenage years can be a time of (re)establishing your life goals, creed, and identity. It is during this tumultuous time that many teenagers have identity crises and feel like they do not fit in.
Many of us accept the identity which we are born with and given throughout our lives. For example, someone's birth sex might be XY male, and they may identify as someone of the male gender. For many of those cis-gender (cis meaning gender is same as sex) individuals, it can be hard to understand the plight of other individuals who are uncomfortable with the gender they have been given and feel that the other gender describes them more accurately. The unfortunate truth is that our society, and in fact any society, has certain guidelines and stereotypes for the behaviors of people of different races, genders, ethnic groups, religions, etc. When someone does not follow these guidelines, they can be ostracized. As a result, they may feel like they are not worth as much as someone else who fits within the stereotypes. While to many these roles are simply guidelines, others can have a negatively impacted self-worth when they do not follow their expected role. If you know anyone who might be in that situation, it is important to let them know that they are not worth any less for not following a specific role. At the end of the day, every human is different and cannot be fit into a certain bucket. Remind them that they shouldn't feel bad about what they aren't: instead they should take pride in what they are.
If someone is feeling left out, the best solution to change that is to include them in activities, discussions, etc. Defend them for who they are if you see them being ostracized. Even one friend can make a huge difference during a transitory period when someone's feelings of self-worth are at a low.