Overview

How do children determine which identity becomes paramount as they grow into adolescence and early adulthood? Which identity results in patterns of behaviour as they develop? To whom or to which group do they feel a sense of belonging? How might children, adolescents and young adults negotiate the gap between their own sense of identity and the values promoted by external influences? The contributors explore the impact of globalization and pluralism on the way most children and adolescents grow into early adulthood. They look at the influences of media and technology that can be felt within the living spaces of their homes, competing with the religious and cultural influences of family and community, and consider the ways many children and adolescents have developed multiple and virtual identities which help them to respond to different circumstances and contexts. They discuss the ways that many children find themselves in a perpetual state of shifting identities without ever being firmly grounded in one, potentially leading to tension and confusion particularly when there is conflict between one identity and another. This can result in increased anxiety and diminished self-esteem. This book explores how parents, educators and social and health workers might have a raised awareness of the issues generated by plural identities and the overpowering human need to belong so that they can address associated issues and nurture a sense of wholeness in children and adolescents as they grow into early adulthood.

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9781350244283

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Reviews

This interdisciplinary book offers a significant contribution to understanding and supporting healthy identity development in children and adolescents, a critical task for ensuring their well-being and, in turn, to the future well-being of the planet. Its range of coverage is remarkable, with contributions by scholars from many countries using varied research methods to investigate diverse identity facets and issues. --Aostre Johnson, Emeritus Professor of Education, Saint Michael's College, Vermont, USA This is an invaluable resource for all those who wish to have a glimpse of how children and young people on all five continents are making use, or struggling, with spirituality, religion, language, gender, education, class and ability in their journey to construct their identify. --Adrian-Mario Gellel, Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education, University of Malta, Malta This is an excellent collection of essays written by a team of international scholars who specialise in culture and identity across age groups. The topics covered are wide-ranging and contemporary. Grounded in cutting-edge research and solid scholarship, this volume is a must-read for policymakers, academics and educators. --Charlene Tan, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore With broad-ranging perspectives, ranging from the socio-cultural to the spiritual, this work shares significant ideas illuminating how we can face the challenge of establishing our identities in an unpredictable world. --Yoshiharu Nakagawa, Professor of Education, Doshisha University, Japan This handbook captures both the subaltern discourses and innovative intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, class, disability, religion, language, and technology to construct modern-day identities in children and adolescents. Its multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary global case studies make it the ideal resource to unlock the multi-layered complexities of an emerging research niche that influences worldviews. --Denzil Chetty, Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa

This interdisciplinary book offers a significant contribution to understanding and supporting healthy identity development in children and adolescents, a critical task for ensuring their well-being and, in turn, to the future well-being of the planet. Its range of coverage is remarkable, with contributions by scholars from many countries using varied research methods to investigate diverse identity facets and issues. * Aostre Johnson, Emeritus Professor of Education, Saint Michael's College, Vermont, USA * This is an invaluable resource for all those who wish to have a glimpse of how children and young people on all five continents are making use, or struggling, with spirituality, religion, language, gender, education, class and ability in their journey to construct their identify. * Adrian-Mario Gellel, Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education, University of Malta, Malta * This is an excellent collection of essays written by a team of international scholars who specialise in culture and identity across age groups. The topics covered are wide-ranging and contemporary. Grounded in cutting-edge research and solid scholarship, this volume is a must-read for policymakers, academics and educators. * Charlene Tan, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore * With broad-ranging perspectives, ranging from the socio-cultural to the spiritual, this work shares significant ideas illuminating how we can face the challenge of establishing our identities in an unpredictable world. * Yoshiharu Nakagawa, Professor of Education, Doshisha University, Japan * This handbook captures both the subaltern discourses and innovative intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, class, disability, religion, language, and technology to construct modern-day identities in children and adolescents. Its multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary global case studies make it the ideal resource to unlock the multi-layered complexities of an emerging research niche that influences worldviews. * Denzil Chetty, Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa *

Author Information

Ruth Wills is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Music at Liverpool Hope University, UK. Marian de Souza is now retired and was formerly Senior Lecturer at Australian Catholic University, Australia, and Honorary Associate Professor at Federation University Australia, Australia. Jennifer Mata-McMahon is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), USA. Mukhlis Abu Bakar is Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Cornelia Roux is an Extraordinary Professor in Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

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