Identity crisis in popular media - Essay Example

[Teacher’s Identity crisis in popular media Identity crisis is a phrase that has been analyzed by many scholars, and wasfirst introduced to the realms of psychology by Erik Erikson. In modern times, more adolescents are experiencing identity crisis as the popular media bombards them with numerous perspectives and advice that they are incapable of realizing the role they should take in life. Hence, adolescents are now spending more time contemplating, exploring and analyzing different personalities to one which they identify with the most (Waterman, 5-24).

In the midst of feminism and the fight for gender equality, adolescent males are on the verge of an identity crisis due to the clash between male roles of the past, and the current trends in the world today. The article reviewed is entitled “Our male identity crisis: What will happen to men?” (Williams, 2010). In the article, the author illustrates the underperformance of males in the modern world and the development of a gender education gap that has females far above males. A study illustrates that as of 2009, females earned more higher education degrees than their male counterparts (Williams, 2010).

In addition, the independency of women is increasing as they are more women purchasing homes as well as being the breadwinners in the family (Williams, 2010). This will have an influence on the development of male adolescents in this family. Hence, in the modern world, there is now a conflict in the messages received by adolescents on the meaning of being a man and the role that male must fulfill. In Erikson’s stage of Identity versus Role Confusion, he illustrates the problem that is being discussed in the paper.

The stage involves the development of sexual identity and a feeling of concern for the image one portrays to others (Erikson, 128). The article mentions the problem in this perspective that the male adolescents experience, as they do not know the ideal appearance for a man. For example, in the western world women are becoming more successful and overtaking men in many fields such as education and employment. On the other hand, the male is portrayed as the dominant figure in the family whilst in many homes the woman is the bread winner.

The male adolescents have difficulty in deciding if they should present the traditional male image or what perception the world will have if they play a secondary role to their female counterparts. As mentioned above, this is the stage of sexual identity development (McLeod, 2008); however, male adolescents face the dilemma of ignorance on male sexual identity as the world today lacks clear-cut distinctions and boarders. The dilemma in the article also presents male adolescents with difficulties in determining their future careers as there is a level of uncertainty on the roles that they will adopt as adults.

In summation, the article does not provide any concrete advice to adolescent males. However, it does prepare these individuals for the diverse and constantly changing society we live in today. The explanation of the changes in the world are beneficial in reducing the confusion among males by introducing them to the new world, and removing the traditional stereotypic gender roles from their mentality. Works CitedErikson, Erik H. Identity: Youth and crisis. No. 7. WW Norton & Company, 1968. Chapt. III, p. 128-135McLeod, Saul.

Erik Erikson. Simply Psychology. 2008 Waterman, Alan S. "Identity in the context of adolescent psychology." New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development 1985.30 (1985): 5-24.Williams, Ray. Our male identity crisis: What will happen to men? Psychology Today. 2010