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Apologies for the delay in posting this.....

I have uploaded a picture of me with my immediate family.  It shows me as a man, a husband, a father and also a supporter of testicular cancer charities through the merchandise I am wearing.  In all truth these symbolise only a small part of my identity but are probably some of my most important 'roles' and highlight how our identity is not concrete. It is always changing depending on our relationships with ourselves and others. I was not always a Husband and Father but as a 'Resolver' this was something that I always wanted to happen in the future which meant I had to 'grow up' which I would attribute to 'Identity achievement'.
I didn't support testicular cancer charities until I had a close call myself and now it has become something that is very important to me and I wear this particularly noticeable charities clothing everyday. Not only to support, but to stimulate conversation and discussion. I have done this for 5 years now so I feel this has now become part of my identity. But maybe not forever. It's this fluidity of identity that I find fascinating.

Cote, J. E. & Levine, C. G. (2002) ‘The Identity Concept in Sociology’, in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. [Online]. Psychology Press. pp. 48–62.

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My sense of identity has been developing over the years, and more so in the last 4 years. I’m hitting 40 next week and I feel the strongest sense of self I have done my whole life. I have chose the book ‘we should all be feminists’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as reading this book made me really reflect about my role in the world. The questions posed in the book are well thought out, and her arguments are faultless. For many years I felt being a feminist meant you were unacceptable or militant, but the acceptance of women having a voice that is valid and heard is becoming greater. For many years I was a Searcher, trying to find what I was or belonged to, with very little sense of self. I was a people pleaser and ended up in abusive relationships, afraid of losing people if I was authentic.
Looking at the categories of people I wasn’t a Guardian due to the lack of well developed childhood as a prerequisite. Through a lot of reflection and work on myself, despite the chaos and trauma in the early life I feel I have become a Resolver using and developing my academic, social and emotional maturity.

TY - BOOK AU - ID - VLEBOOKS-9781410612199 SN - 9781410612199 PB - TAYLOR & FRANCIS ST - Identity Formation, Agency, and Culture: A Social Psychological Synthesis TI - Identity Formation, Agency, and Culture: A Social Psychological Synthesis PY - 2002/01/01 ER -

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I have chosen a copy of The Bridge by Iain Banks as it is a work of art that made me interrogate my own identity. I first read the book when I was at university and It tells the story of a man caught in both a literal and metaphorical limbo. The book introduced me to a concept called the ‘Caledonian Antisyzygy’ which is the idea that both the Scottish psyche and literature produced by Scots is typified by the presence of dueling entities within a single whole. The Scottish experience is often characterized by a split between two entities (Protestant/ Catholic, Highlands/ Lowlands, Edinburgh/ Glasgow, working class/ middle class etc.).

This really made me think about who I was a person. I realised that my identity had been formed as much in opposition to one thing as in appreciation of the other. I was a student from a working-class background, studying alongside more affluent peers in a city on the other side of the country (a whole 50 miles away!). This left me a bit confused and, honestly, with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.  Using the reading from Cote and Levine, I would categorize myself during the period of my life as a bit of a Refuser (or more charitably, a Drifter).

I have since come to realise that my identity does not need to be defined by entirely binary opposites and think that my life is all the richer for what I would have previously seen as contradictions. This book reminds me of the beginning of that journey.

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Hi everyone, my humblest apologies for outrageously late post (due to unavoidable circumstances). The photograph I have uploaded is my PGCE certificate the single item which marked my transition from “searcher” to “resolver”. I can clearly map my journey from cynical, disaffected “drifter” in my university years and early twenties, to become the archetypal “searcher” when I “grew up” and got married.  With these years came my search to find “a validating adult community.” I was most definitely someone “driven by a sense of dissatisfaction with themselves” and unfortunately, looking back, I have no doubt that this “dissatisfaction [was] projected onto others” i.e. my long suffering husband, with whom I was running a family business. It must therefore have been with enormous relief for him, that I came home one day to say I had an interview at the Institute of Education to train as a teacher in FE. The rest, as they say, is history; this certificate was the tangible evidence of my transition for “searcher” to “resolver” and I’ve been “resolving” ever since!

Reference

Cote, J.E. and Levine, C.G (2002) ‘Identity Theory in Perspective’ in Identity Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press pp 17 - 29

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I have found this activity emotional as when reading chapter 1 about 'identity strategies' (cf. Josselson, 1996; Klapp, 1969), the description and definition of the Guardian and Resolver resonated profoundly with me.  My parents have been married for over 50 years and in my extended family, divorce was not the norm.  As a Guardian, I had a 'well-structured childhood in which the values of the parent and/or community have been thoroughly internalized' (Cote, James and Levine 2002) and so when I had my first serious relationship, I then got married a few years later.  Over the years, my identity was in conflict with my husband and I felt it being diminished and rewritten.  Indeed, Cote, James and Levine describe how you may be left vulnerable.  After over 20 years of my identity being challenged, I sought a divorce after having my husband arrested for domestic abuse.  This realisation was an arduous process emotionally but necessary not only for my family's safety and well-being but to enable me to find myself again.  It may be an overused cliche, but rediscovering myself and emerging as a stronger person, the Resolver, has allowed me to overcome this obstacle.  It was a conflict within me to resist divorce as it clashed with being a 'Guardian' but it allowed me to grow and evolve.  My environment and family history were in conflict; my parents' values and my ex-husband's were constantly opposed.  Reading this article has given me added affirmation that my personal identity needed to evolve for me to regain my own self-identity.  The image I have chosen is of a Celtic tattoo that denotes 'strength' - something that I have found a lot of over the past few years.
Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “The Identity Concept in Sociology.”
(Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 1-6. Web

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I would like to share a picture of me and my mum.  Shortly after giving birth to my first child, my mum passed away.  This played a huge role in shaping my identity as it is today – I moved from being a ‘daughter’ to a ‘mother’.  It was a huge turning point in my life and although I did not realize it at the time it changed me as a person.  For the first time in my life, I felt truly capable and able to stand on my own two feet.   I felt if I could deal with the death of my mum and be responsible for the well-being of my son then I could cope with anything else life threw at me.  I often think of this when things get tough and it gives me the strength to deal with problems.  I think this is the point in my life when I fully embodied what Cote & Levine (2002) describe as the ‘resolver’ identity – when my ‘adult’ identity really came into being.

Cote, J.E and Levine, C.G. (2002). 'Identity Theory in Perspective' in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press. pp. 17–29.

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The image that I have chosen is one from a win from a fight that I had before COVID-19. Resilience and strength is something that I believe I may have lacked as a child and sometimes in other aspects of life. But the mental strength to diet, train and literally fight another person for sport builds a belief and self-trust to complete any task. Fighting is the hardest thing I have done but something that has taught me humility, resilience, patience and every quality that a person needs to be successful in every other aspect of life.

In Chapter 1, Cote, James and Levine (2002) discuss the importance of locating agency by identifying that identity is a product of both internal and external factors. I agree, my identity has always been 'inside' of me. I have always been passionate and a leader, a fighter but boxing was the extrinsic factor that unleashed my potential in all walks of life.

In Chapter 2, Baumister (1988) studies the process of 'self-regulations' explaining that one must control both their-self and their environment to pursue self interest. This relates directly to fighting, self control with anger management, decision making and even food/calorie intake. Environment control such as training, locations and even in the ring. If you are in control you have the better chance in winning in both life and boxing.

Baumister R.F. (1998). The Self. In D.T.Gilbert, S.T.Fiske, & G.Lindzey (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (4th ed., pp. 680-740.) New York.

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Identity Theory in Perspective.”
(Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 17–29. Web.

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From I was a little girl, my dad has always charged me with courage and big dreams. He and my mom were the only people who believed that I would make a difference in this world one day. Growing up with all this support in every choice I made, define who I am today. I was the only girl in my family who graduated with honors in University. Seeing him so proud of me in my graduation ceremony made me want to achieve more to see that beautiful smile on his face again. Even after he passed away three years ago, I never gave up and I achieved many things, which I know if he was alive will cheer him up. His death transformed my identity in a good way. I think I became more resolver than before, as Cote said, this strategy type of identity transformation is responsible for developing the person's emotions, mind, and vocational skills (Cote and Levine's (2002:6). I become more independent, strong and professional regarding my career as an educator. Choosing to take a master degree is for my parents. Although I know that my dad will not attend my graduation ceremony this time, I am sure that his soul will stay with me. I decided to share with you my parents' photo.

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From I was a little girl, my dad has always charged me with courage and big dreams. He and my mom were the only people who believed that I would make a difference in this world one day. Growing up with all this support in every choice I made, define who I am today. I was the only girl in my family who graduated with honors in University. Seeing him so proud of me in my graduation ceremony made me want to achieve more to see that beautiful smile on his face again. Even after he passed away three years ago, I never gave up and I achieved many things, which I know if he was alive will cheer him up. His death transformed my identity in a good way. I think I became more resolver than before, as Cote said, this strategy type of identity transformation is responsible for developing the person's emotions, mind, and vocational skills (Cote and Levine's (2002:6). I become more independent, strong and professional regarding my career as an educator. Choosing to take a master degree is for my parents. Although I know that my dad will not attend my graduation ceremony this time, I am sure that his soul will stay with me. I decided to share with you my parents' photo.

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Cote, J.E and Levine, C.G. (2002). 'Identity Theory in Perspective' in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press. pp. 7

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The object that I have chosen is my passport for the impact that travel experiences have had in shaping my identity. As an adolescent I did not travel abroad extensively and from the few experiences I did have I ‘got the bug’. I knew that I wanted to travel and see more of the world than what I had done growing up; however I did not realise quite the effects that it would have on shaping my identity as an adult. Had I not had my passport and travelled I wouldn’t have met my husband and had our children, I would not have been able to visit, live and work in different countries and in turn would not have had the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse range of people from across the globe, all of which have influenced and helped to shape my perspectives and aspects of my identity. Cote and Levine refer to five identity strategies, of which I would associate with being for the most part a Resolver and ‘going out into the world’ but with some qualities of a Searcher. Furthermore, I can see elements of Gergen’s (1991) theory of the modernist self being present in some of the decisions I have made to embed elements of my life trajectory in ‘educational systems, a stable family life and a rational choice on marriage partner’. At the same time I also feel that elements of Gergen’s ‘pastiche personality’ are present in my own identity formation. Due to the complexity of identity formation and construction, there are only ever certain elements that are relatable rather than all aspects of the theory. I think the most pertinent of the different theories for me and the one that led me to choosing my passport was Giddens’ (1991) theory in which he states that self-identity is now a product of (amongst other things) ‘the rise of interconnected global influences’.

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Identity Theory in Perspective.” (Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 17–29. WebCote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Psychological Approaches to the Concepts of Self and Identity.” (Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 30–47. Web.

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “The Identity Concept in Sociology.” (Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 48–62. Web.

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I spent most of my life trying to fit other peoples ideals of what I should be, always worrying about how I was observed and perceived. In some ways this enabled me to improve my career prospects as I always gave what my employers wanted but at the same time my mental health suffered to the point of psychological exhaustion. Cote and Levine discuss in their theory that personality is not a fixed property with events that are resolved but rather that identity is a constantly shifting and ongoing process. So why did I choose a jar of Marmite for my object to represent my sense of self? Towards my late 30s I choose to stop concerning myself so much with how others perceived me and started to focus more on making me happy, rather than seeing it as a selfish mentality I found it a liberating process.  What has changed since? Well I started my Masters as I decided to make time for me, and my change in my ego identity has also meant that not everyone likes me but thats ok. As with Marmite, some people love me and some people hate me.

1. Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “The Identity Concept in Sociology.”
(Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 48–62. Web.

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I have chosen a picture of one of my favourite memories with my children.
When I was a child, I seriously lacked confidence in my self and people did not get to see my true identity. I would be very quiet and reserved and would much prefer to simply 'blend' into the background, never wanting to be noticed.
Since becoming a mum 14 years ago, my identity has seen significant changes. I realised that this wasn't the person I was meant to be. I did not want my identity to negatively influence those I love the most. I wanted them to be confident, resilient and develop a growth mindset.
These huge events in my live gave me a totally different perspective on myself and my whole life, making me realise that I needed to achievement my goals and be the person I needed to be. This is where I completed my educational studies and trained as a teacher. As stated by Côté and Levine (2002 p. 22), 'Resolvers' actively engage themselves to form an adult identity by developing own intellect, learning about the world and having the self motivation to achieve.
I believe that this identity was always part of me. Côté and Levine (2002 p. 22) suggests that events such as having a a child could be something that 'holds people back', however, I strongly believe that confidence held me back and having my children motivated me and helped to form my true adult identity.

Côté, James E, and Levine, Charles G (2002) 'Psychological Approaches to the Self and Identity.' Identity Formation, Agency and Culture. psychology Press 21-22)

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I have chosen a picture of one of my favourite memories with my children.
Wen I was a child, I seriously lacked confidence in my self and people did not get to see my true identity. I would be very quiet and reserved and would much prefer to simply 'blend' into the background, never wanting to be noticed.
Since becoming a mum 14 years ago, my identity has seen significant changes. I realised that this wasn't the person I was meant to be. I did not want my identity to negatively influence those I love the most. I wanted them to be confident, resilient and develop a growth mindset.
These huge events in my live gave me a totally different perspective on myself and my whole life, making me realise that I needed to achievement my goals and be the person I needed to be. This is where I completed my educational studies and trained as a teacher. As stated by Côté and Levine (2002 p. 22), 'Resolvers' actively engage themselves to form an adult identity by developing own intellect, learning about the world and having the self motivation to achieve.
I believe that this identity was always part of me. Côté and Levine (2002 p. 22) suggests that events such as having a a child could be something that 'holds people back', however, I strongly believe that confidence held me back and having my children motivated me and helped to to form my true adult identity.

Côté, James E, and Levine, Charles G (2002) 'Psychological Approaches to the Self and Identity.' Identity Formation, Agency and Culture. psychology Press 21-22)

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Taiye Selasi's TED talk, "Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local." I show this to students in international schools; it resonates. Selasi reflects, 'where she's from' doesn't suffice, rather, where she identifies as 'local' is more revealing. I am a local of Lochgilphead and Edinburgh in Scotland, and Oberusel, Germany. Although I have never 'been from' there, I also feel local in Washington D.C., Seattle and New Orleans. Conversely, I lived in Doha and Bangkok and at no point was I local. I moved abroad in 2007 and have lived in five countries since, in search of my next 'local' experience. Many students need the same, as some attend as many schools, as they have years. I aspire to help each of my students find a sense of 'local' in my schools, no matter how long they stay. As such, the reference to Gergen's "pastiche personality" is something I am familiar with.

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Psychological Approaches to the Concepts of Self and Identity.” Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 30–47.

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Don’t ask where I’m from, ask where I’m a local

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When someone asks you where you’re from … do you sometimes not know how to answer? Writer Taiye Selasi speaks on behalf of “multi-local” people, who feel at home in the town where they grew up, the city they live now and maybe another place or two. “How can I come from a country?” she asks. “How can a human being come from a concept?”

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My chosen artefact is Yoda. I was the first member of my family for generations to attend university where I studied Physics before doing a PGCE. Yoda for me represents a wise, kind person who has an inner sense of peace and purpose. Although I felt very proud of being accepted into University, it was not until I became a teacher that I felt real sense of belonging and Yoda represents the qualities that I wanted to bring to my role as a teacher. However, this sense of belonging was also the start of distancing as I moved away from my family home and in fact from the lifestyle and goals of many of my family members.

I would describe myself as a Resolver in that I wanted to use the experiences of my childhood and social identity to overcome socioeconomic factors and to achieve an academic status that my parents did not have.

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When it comes to my identity formation, the idea springing into my mind right now is an important change regarding my mindset recently and the picture I attach is what my mentor want to tell me.
Before doing my current job which is student support manager in 1 and a half year, I was a 22-year-old girl with fixed mindset. I was more like a "searcher" - who cannot seem to find a community that satisfies unrealistically high criteria of functioning (Cote and Levine's (2002:6). At that time, I was a fresh graduate and did a full time job as an English teacher. I didnot have much of joy with a nine-to-five job and tedious daily routines.
Whenever I received any new tasks, I looked down on my ability and just said "I can't do this" " Everyone is judging me" and I felt tired of such negative  thoughts. I closed many doors of success due to my closed mindset.
It changed until I met my mentor - my boss for the current job. I feel like  I'm living a new life with a new me. During more than 1 year working in education field, I have undergone many tasks like sales, marketing, partnership and now customer care; I was trained to be more confident in myself and believe what I'm doing. I still care about what people think about me but I turn it into actions.
I become more like a "Resolver" who always seek opportunities with a lot of energy and motivations.

I think that finding the right mentor is crucial for everyone to form indentity. I am a lucky person when I  have a good mentor to change my mindset positively.

Cote, J.E and Levine, C.G. (2002). 'Identity Theory in Perspective' in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press. pp. 17–29.

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When considering my identity formation, I have decided to share picture from when I became a mum. I believe I was very lucky with my upbringing and my parents had high expectations of me and allowed me the chance of travelling to all parts of the world as a child and then supporting me with working in different parts of the United States during my summer holidays from university. According to Cote and Levine (1992) I believe I come into the resolvers identity strategy, due to the fact that I have always wanted to be the best I can be and having clear expectations of career progression, which I have managed to follow so far, even though at times it has taken a step back when I became a parent. I have manged to be the first person from our family to attend university and gain my degree, which is something I am proud of but most importantly I think the chances I have had while travelling and working abroad have been the most influential and just want to be able to give my little boy the same chances as what I had as a child.  

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When considering my identity formation, I have decided to share picture from when I became a mum. I believe I was very lucky with my upbringing and my parents had high expectations of me and allowed me the chance of travelling to all parts of the world as a child and then supporting me with working in different parts of the United States during my summer holidays from university. According to Cote and Levine (1992) I believe I come into the resolvers identity strategy, due to the fact that I have always wanted to be the best I can be and having clear expectations of career progression, which I have managed to follow so far, even though at times it has taken a step back when I became a parent. I have manged to be the first person from our family to attend university and gain my degree, which is something I am proud of but most importantly I think the chances I have had while travelling and working abroad have been the most influential and just want to be able to give my little boy the same chances as what I had as a child.  

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 I will attempt to discuss how the writing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journal and blogger who was murdered in 2017 challenged my beliefs in Maltese society and had an influence in the formation of my identity.  I started reading Daphne's blog in 2008 and kept doing so until her death and her writing influenced me a lot. Before I started reading her all I knew was that Daphne was one of those posh people from upper class backgrounds who people like me, coming from a working class family, loved to hate. That was what she was known for , she was a household name yet a lot of people never read any of her articles- she wrote in English and this was a barrier for many, moreover, we are not a nation of readers .As soon as I started reading her articles, which were so intelligent and well argumented and also funny at the same time, I realised that a lot of lies were being said about her. It was not true that she belittled the lower classes-Daphne attacked all those who put their economical interests before the greater good, be it from whatever background they hailed. It is true that she attacked members of one political party more than others :this is what led to the belief that she attacked the lower classes because she was elitist , and this is what led to a hate campaign  which lasted for years.  I did not agree with everything she said (she was very good at mocking those who stood against her beliefs and sometimes I  sympathised with those who came under her wrath, albeit her poking fun at such people made her articles fun and refreshing and greatly enhanced her readership). But besides such articles, her musing on Maltese society were very enlightining. For example,  she was alarmed how big sectors of Maltese society were being taken for a ride by our politicians. She was mostly against the labour party but she attacked all public figures if they were caught lying or embezzling. Daphne made me realise how a great percentage of our nation relies too strongly on what their political party tells them to do without bothering to check the facts or at least attempt to. Trying to defend her led me to a lot of arguments with close acquaintances and even family members when I challenged them to read what she was saying before accusing her, or at least read the news from independent sites and not rely on political TV channels.  Her death was a great loss to Maltese journalism, but it also started a revolution, I am sure that her writings caused many to question their identitities and stop assuming that societal norms are there to stay.

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 I will attempt to discuss how the writing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journal and blogger who was murdered in 2017 challenged my beliefs in Maltese society and had an influence in the formation of my identity.  I started reading Daphne's blog in 2008 and kept doing so until her death and her writing influenced me a lot. Before I started reading her all I knew was that Daphne was one of those posh people from upper class backgrounds who people like me, coming from a working class family, loved to hate. That was what she was known for , she was a household name yet a lot of people never read any of her articles- she wrote in English and this was a barrier for many, moreover, we are not a nation of readers .As soon as I started reading her articles, which were so intelligent and well argumented and also funny at the same time, I realised that a lot of lies were being said about her. It was not true that she belittled the lower classes-Daphne attacked all those who put their economical interests before the greater good, be it from whatever background they hailed. It is true that she attacked members of one political party more than others :this is what led to the belief that she attacked the lower classes because she was elitist , and this is what led to a hate campaign  which lasted for years.  I did not agree with everything she said (she was very good at mocking those who stood against her beliefs and sometimes I  sympathised with those who came under her wrath, albeit her poking fun at such people made her articles fun and refreshing and greatly enhanced her readership). But besides such articles, her musing on Maltese society were very enlightining. For example,  she was alarmed how big sectors of Maltese society were being taken for a ride by our politicians. She was mostly against the labour party but she attacked all public figures if they were caught lying or embezzling. Daphne made me realise how a great percentage of our nation relies too strongly on what their political party tells them to do without bothering to check the facts or at least attempt to. Trying to defend her led me to a lot of arguments with close acquaintances and even family members when I challenged them to read what she was saying before accusing her, or at least read the news from independent sites and not rely on political TV channels.  Her death was a great loss to Maltese journalism, but it also started a revolution, I am sure that her writings caused many to question their identitities and stop assuming that societal norms are there to stay.

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When considering my identity formation, I have decided to share a picture of my PGCE certificate, which is one of my proudest achievements, and the journey that I took to get there.

Being born in the nearly 90’s, this meant that when I was in high school the internet was really starting to become prominent and there were more options for schools to help students to achieve. I was told that I was unlikely to achieve my maths and English GCSE, so I was placed in the first ever ‘Key Skills’ groups. This has such an impact on my identity, as I did not feel good enough, or the same as everyone else.

When I left school, I went onto sixth form to complete A-levels, I was also told here that I would not achieve and I should probably do something else. I decided to change direction and learn to be an Early Years Educator; finally feeling supported and encouraged to do well. This meant I was older than most when attending university and felt like I was behind in all aspects in my life. I completed my BA (Hons) when I was 23, and my PGCE when I as 25.  I felt like I was so behind everyone else and found myself constantly comparing myself to others who had achieved more at a younger age. This is easily done with the access to technology and social media in the postmodern state (Cote and Levine, 2020) – this self-mediates our relationships with others through ‘socialising technologies’. This is definitely a state I have been in for half of my life, looking at others through social media and comparing my situation to theirs; whilst others do the same and manage false impressions continuously (Cote and Levine, 2020).

It was only when I had my son in August 2020 (which also took a long time) that I realised that I am not behind or less than anyone else, my experiences have made me want to help those who may struggle in education, and make sure they are supported in whatever path they choose.

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This picture was taken in early May 2020 before I became a mother for the first time. It was the vest I had chosen to pack in my hospital bag for my daughter to wear in the hospital once she was born. This vest to me symbolises a period of transition in my identity where I went from being a 'searcher'  to a 'resolver' (Cote and Levine, 2002). I am an only child from a single parent family and I had a fantastic upbringing where I had everything I needed but I have always felt like I have been continuously striving to find who I really am for most of my adult life. I have been a student, a teacher, a wife, a daughter, a daughter in law, an aunt to my cousins children and I could easily slip in and out of each of these identities and pick up where I left off. Cote and Levine (2002) talk about a person being made up of many identities and perhaps due to my 'searcher' life-course then this was easy for me to drift between my different identities. Once my daughter was born I suddenly had a sense of purpose and drive like never before to take care of my child and give her everything she needed to survive and have a great start in life. I felt like I had a purpose to engage in the parent community to become the best mother I could be. I suddenly felt like I was exactly where I needed to be and where I belonged with my small family. For the first time I felt like this new identity was one I couldn't just drop and pick up like before. I was a mother now and that was always going to be my role. This meant that I was distanced from my previously very active social life and my friends because being a first time mother is hard especially in the middle of a global pandemic. Cote and Levine (2002) talk about the structure agency debate where people's behaviour is influenced by external, social, political and economic actions which in my case of personal identity formation was the global pandemic and being in lockdown. The other side of the debate being the internal, individual actions which in my case was what was happening to me personally after just becoming a mother. Personally I feel like a combination of external and internal factors have influenced me to form this new identity.

Cote, J.E and Levine, C.G. (2002). 'Identity Theory in Perspective' in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press. pp. 17–29.

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Identity formation is a difficult process, made more complex through the high level of choice in selecting an ‘identity’ or what I consider to be a ‘traditional identity’. In this context: Am I a wife, a mother or a daughter? Am I a teacher or a student? In being one identify, how can I also be the other? One’s self is made up of many identities, as evident upon reading Cote and Levine’s (2002) identity descriptors. In the first instance I identified myself as being a ‘resolver’ through actively developing my intellect through being an adult learner. However, the reason for this could be through being a ‘searcher’ and being driven to learn through a sense of dissatisfaction with myself. In being unable to select just one identify, am I lacking a sense of self-definition? Is this what Cote and Levine (2002:5) define as the “continual struggle with ones’ inner conflicts”? On reflection, our identities cannot be formed by just one definition or descriptor. I cannot chose between being a wife, mother or daughter, or choose between being a teacher or a student because each of these descriptors forms part of my identity, with each role working with and evolving round each other. In embodying my sense of identify, therefore, I have chosen a rock. There are many interpretations of what I could mean by this, just as there are many interpretations of my identity. First, it could be because I feel I am the rock that holds my family together. Secondly because “mothers are the rocks that never crumble”. Or thirdly, it could just be something picked up on a family day out and embodies my sense of identify through being just a happy memory. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Identity formation is a difficult process, made more complex through the high level of choice in selecting an ‘identity’ or what I consider to be a ‘traditional identity’. In this context: Am I a wife, a mother or a daughter? Am I a teacher or a student? In being one identify, how can I also be the other? One’s self is made up of many identities, as evident upon reading Cote and Levine’s (2002) identity descriptors. In the first instance I identified myself as being a ‘resolver’ through actively developing my intellect through being an adult learner. However, the reason for this could be through being a ‘searcher’ and being driven to learn through a sense of dissatisfaction with myself. In being unable to select just one identify, am I lacking a sense of self-definition? Is this what Cote and Levine (2002:5) define as the “continual struggle with ones’ inner conflicts”? On reflection, our identities cannot be formed by just one definition or descriptor. I cannot chose between being a wife, mother or daughter, or choose between being a teacher or a student because each of these descriptors forms part of my identity, with each role working with and evolving round each other. In embodying my sense of identify, therefore, I have chosen a rock. There are many interpretations of what I could mean by this, just as there are many interpretations of my identity. First, it could be because I feel I am the rock that holds my family together. Secondly because “mothers are the rocks that never crumble”. Or thirdly, it could just be something picked up on a family day out and embodies my sense of identify through being just a happy memory. 

# data[].attributes.body
Cote, J.E and Levine, C.G. (2002). 'Identity Theory in Perspective' in Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press. pp. 17–29.

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Role of Artifact in Shaping Identity- Dareen Hattar 

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Role of Artifact in Shaping Identity- Dareen Hattar 

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Ever since I graduated from high school, I was living in a survival mode the whole time , and up to approximately 12 years, including the years when I was having my studies at university, working as an educator,  and within my family before and after getting married, and even after I had my 2 kids. My vision was focused on studying and working non- stop in order to develop and succeed to the extent that I used not to enjoy things I own or have, and even not noticing them in my life. One day, I decided to resign because I couldn’t take things this way anymore. It really took my about 4 years to take this step of resignation as I always had the fear that this step would be a drawback and not a benefit to me and my career. It was at the same time when I read the quote ‘never let things you want make you forget things you have.’ Sanchita Pandey.  At this point, I started to enjoy things I have and to be grateful for.  This way, I got disassociated from the mentality that I need to rush in everything, keep going with pausing at any period in my life, and being mid full the whole time without enjoying what I have at the moment. I see myself as being a resolver in terms of getting myself engaged in the development of my identity regardless of the different obstacles and barriers that have been faced from childhood to adulthood. This is what helped me be the one I am today; a person who enjoys the moment and is thankful for what I have, mindful, with planning in a slow pace for new ambitions and achievements. I can see that Erickson’s approach of psychosocial applies to my identity formation; identity is a combination of social relations within a certain society that would nurture your ego and psyche (Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine 2002 : 17).

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Identity Theory in Perspective.” (Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 17–29. Web.

Cote, James E, and Charles G Levine. “Psychological Approaches to the Concepts of Self and Identity.” (Links to an external site.) Identity, Formation, Agency, and Culture. Psychology Press, 2002. 30–47. Web.

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Cote and Levine, (2002) develop a typology of identities and point to the phenomenon of multiple hats – Refuser, Drifter, Searcher, Guardian, Resolver – that lead to identifying identity. These identities may change or adapt depending on our personal situation and influences. Sociological thinking about identity suggests looking at identity at a micro level and macro level. At a micro level our view of self and others vary by situation, may influence behaviour and meaning in life. At a macro level, identity is the definition of our place in an institution and within society. When considering my own identity, I consider the definition of my place within society and how I am perceived by others in those roles; mother, teacher, wife. I think that I am also perceived by societal expectations of gender and age. Within the typology of identities this would place me within the guardian role where my sense of personal identity is almost exhausted by the social. That I have clear values and morals but perhaps a fear of change. That my social identity is rigid and strongly identifies with adult communities. I am prepared to  accept this as perhaps the definition of the moment. However I also feel that it is impossible to live within society and not except that change happens. Or that identities change and adapt. I have decided to choose the following verse from an Alice Walker poem ‘On Stripping Bark from Myself’ to illustrate my ideas about my identity.

No. I am finished with living
for what my mother believes
for what my brother and father defend
for what my lover elevates
or what my sister, blushing, denies or rushes to embrace.

I find my own
small person
a standing self
against the world
an equality of wills
I have lived to understand.

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Ten years ago, I made the decision to return to education and complete my A-level equivalent, achieve my degree, and work towards my aspirations. For years before this point, I always felt too 'busy', I was married, had young children, left school with no GCSEs and was meeting the needs of those around me. Would I ever have the time? Could I make time for it? I felt that in my strive for ‘normal’, socially acceptable, expected (from family), I lost myself. This quote struck a chord with me. I would always be busy, there would always be something going on in my life, but I needed to do something for myself. What was the point in waiting for the storm to pass? There is always a new one on the horizon! I would learn to dance in the rain.  5 years ago, I had the quote as a tattoo. A permanent reminder to always embrace the crazy, never let it get in the way of achieving what I want and to never give up. My sense of identity (preferred) developed (still is) once I began my education journey, I learned about the things that interested me, I met people I connected with, like minded people. This quote started my journey to belonging, it did not mean solely connecting with others, but also to myself and what I wanted for myself from this life. More recently, I find it centres me. Brings me a sense of calm. If I can do and achieve everything I have so far - I can and will again. I reflect back, I have changed, adapted and will continue to do so, my identity is not fixed, it is fluid. It is influenced by the connections that I make with others, with the world and internal changes to myself. In terms of distancing myself from an aspect of my life, it is a reminder to never return to the state of mind that set aside my own ambitions and aspirations in order to ‘be what is expected’, which left me feeling disconnected from the world and lost. Cote and Levine, (2002) reference the high level of choice societies are currently faced with, choice and options to pursue what has personal meaning. The searcher and the resolver strategies in the ‘working typology’ stood out to me. I feel for most of my late teens and 20s I would (for the most part) seek, find dissatisfaction and continue to seek. I followed normatives, what was expected and thought this would lead to my sense of belonging. My late 20s to current, I feel I more so connect with the ‘resolver’. Actively developing intellect, interests, maturity (arguably comes with age), general competencies, I would agree that I do often yearn for growth, desire to reach personal growth, through education this was afforded to me. As with most things related to the individual, a person changes, adapts, a typology could therefore be limiting. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Ten years ago, I made the decision to return to education and complete my A-level equivalent, achieve my degree, and work towards my aspirations. For years before this point, I always felt too 'busy', I was married, had young children, left school with no GCSEs and was meeting the needs of those around me. Would I ever have the time? Could I make time for it? I felt that in my strive for ‘normal’, socially acceptable, expected (from family), I lost myself. This quote struck a chord with me. I would always be busy, there would always be something going on in my life, but I needed to do something for myself. What was the point in waiting for the storm to pass? There is always a new one on the horizon! I would learn to dance in the rain.  5 years ago, I had the quote as a tattoo. A permanent reminder to always embrace the crazy, never let it get in the way of achieving what I want and to never give up. My sense of identity (preferred) developed (still is) once I began my education journey, I learned about the things that interested me, I met people I connected with, like minded people. This quote started my journey to belonging, it did not mean solely connecting with others, but also to myself and what I wanted for myself from this life. More recently, I find it centres me. Brings me a sense of calm. If I can do and achieve everything I have so far - I can and will again. I reflect back, I have changed, adapted and will continue to do so, my identity is not fixed, it is fluid. It is influenced by the connections that I make with others, with the world and internal changes to myself. In terms of distancing myself from an aspect of my life, it is a reminder to never return to the state of mind that set aside my own ambitions and aspirations in order to ‘be what is expected’, which left me feeling disconnected from the world and lost. Cote and Levine, (2002) reference the high level of choice societies are currently faced with, choice and options to pursue what has personal meaning. The searcher and the resolver strategies in the ‘working typology’ stood out to me. I feel for most of my late teens and 20s I would (for the most part) seek, find dissatisfaction and continue to seek. I followed normatives, what was expected and thought this would lead to my sense of belonging. My late 20s to current, I feel I more so connect with the ‘resolver’. Actively developing intellect, interests, maturity (arguably comes with age), general competencies, I would agree that I do often yearn for growth, desire to reach personal growth, through education this was afforded to me. As with most things related to the individual, a person changes, adapts, a typology could therefore be limiting. 