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Identity development is a central task of adolescent development. Who am I? How do I fit in? What is my role? These are all key questions adolescents are asking themselves. Important dimensions of identity formation include race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, among others.
Adolescent Identity Development
This article briefly defines and describes types, dimensions, and stages/statuses of identity. ACT for Youth.
Article"Who Am I?" -- Identity Formation in Adolescence
Written by Rachel Sumner of Cornell University, this handout provides a brief overview of adolescent identity development. ACT for Youth.
Identity Development Theory
This open education module briefly covers the fundamentals of identity development theory. Lumen.
Identity Formation in Adolescence
This article reviews identity formation during adolescence, presenting both theory and research. ACT for Youth.
Ethnic and Racial Identity Development
Summary of Stages of Racial Identity Development
This document summarizes several prominent frameworks that describe stages of racial and ethnic identity development. Racial Equity Tools.
Understanding Racial-Ethnic Identity Development (presentation)
In this presentation, Dr. Sandra Chapman discusses why it is important to understand racial and ethnic dimensions of identity and introduces models that help us make sense of these identities. Embrace Race.
Understanding Ethnic-Racial Identity Development (handout)
Developed by Gabe Murchison, this fact sheet briefly presents key terms and dimensions of ethnic-racial identity and ideas for promoting identity development in schools. Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Adolescent Ethnic-Racial Identity Development Lab at Harvard
Led by Dr. Adriana Umaña-Taylor, the Adolescent Ethnic-Racial Identity Development (AERID) lab draws on socio-cultural ecological approaches to understanding ethnic-racial identity development in adolescence. The lab offers resources on ethnic-racial identity. Harvard Graduate School of Education.
The Intersection of Adolescent Development and Anti-Black Racism
This report includes, among other topics, a discussion of the impact of anti-Black racism on adolescent identity development. National Scientific Council on Adolescence and UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent.
Project READY: Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth, Module 9
Module 9 of this professional development curriculum for librarians and other educators focuses on racial and ethnic identity development. Many additional resources are linked within the module. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Gender and Sexual Orientation
About Boys
In this article, we discuss the pressures on boys with respect to masculinity and sex and provide resources for those who work with boys. ACT for Youth.
The Future is Non-Binary, and Teens are Leading the Way
Here, a researcher describes what he found from surveying hundreds of LGBTQ youth about gender identity. Pacific Standard.
Understanding Gender Identities
Written especially for young people who are questioning where they are on the gender continuum, this article covers gender basics in plain language. The Trevor Project.
How Do LGBT Youth in NYS Talk about Gender and Sexual Orientation?
In this article, the authors discuss the fluid nature of identity labelling and provide examples.
Growing Up LGBT in America
Based on a survey of more than 10,000 LGBT-identified teens, this report presents the challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and also describes LGBT teens' strengths and safe havens. Follow-up reports spotlight specific populations such as Latino LGBT youth, gender-expansive youth, and more. Human Rights Campaign.
Gender Norms and Sexual Health Behaviors
In part 2 of her series on gender and sexual health, Lori Rolleri discusses traditional gendered social conditioning and the harms it can bring to our health.