Young children go through a turbulent period on their way to teenage years when they will begin getting conscious about themselves and reevaluate relationships with other people as well as with family. This is called identity crisis.
Young children’s identity crisis is a common precursor of teenage years. Normal occurrences as they are, however, young children differ in the degree by which this identity crisis strikes them. It is then wise for parents of young children to educate themselves about this phenomenon. Awareness about identity crisis leads to more proper, timely actions from parents of young children to prevent untoward occurrences related to this period, and ensure that young children weather it and emerge as better persons in the end.
Identity crisis often starts in young children aged 11 or 12, who are well on their way to teenage years. If parents of young children frequently observe them experimenting with their looks – trying out new clothes, etc. – these are often precursors to young children’s pursuit of their identities. They start exploring things they can do to change their physical state, and this may range from changing their physical appearance to taking on sports purposely to buff their bodies. Underscoring this phenomenon is an increased awareness of young children’s physical bodies and what they can do with them.
From these may come an identity crisis that may lead young children to adopt another sexual preference, and signs of these usually appear physically. Male young children who have gay orientations, for instance, may have a particularly hard time trying to reconcile their heterosexual upbringing with inclinations towards the same sex. Young children at this stage must be guided properly – not punished, not abetted – but guided. Assuring them that parents of young children are always there to listen to whatever woes they have is a good way of guiding young children. This will help them think and evaluate themselves better without the unnecessary fear of being condemned by their own family and friends.
Aside from changes in physical state and sexual preference, identity crisis may also bring changes in attitudes of young children. At this period, young children may make more friends than usual, or may shun bigger cliques and opt for a more reserved social life. Whatever it is, it is the job of parents of young children to be extra observant of their ways and always assure them that they are never without confidants at home.
This is because identity crisis almost always draws them and parents of young children apart, but well-informed parents of young children should know better and make guiding young children with identity woes a bigger priority.
