Emerging Adulthood accepted.pdf (466.36 kB)
Reconciling social norms with personal interests: indigenous styles of identity formation among Pakistani youth
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 11:38 authored by Bushra Hassan, Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Seth J SchwartzResearch on identity formation has been conducted mostly in Western contexts. We extend and complement such research by exploring qualitatively the strategies and styles of identity formation employed by emerging adults in Pakistan. Whereas Western theories of identity formation often provide a negative view of normative orientation as “blind obedience” without exploring alternatives, our thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 12 Pakistani emerging adults suggests a much more complex interplay between personal interests and normative influences on identity formation. Participants described various ways of reconciling normative expectations (parental, religious, and cultural) with their personal interests, preferences, and explorations, when deciding about their careers, relationships, and values. In Pakistani culture, normative influences seem to play a more positive and flexible role in identity formation than is suggested by previous Western research.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Emerging AdulthoodISSN
2167-6968Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
7Page range
194-207Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-01-16First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-04-13First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-01-16Usage metrics
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