what is a good respond?

Adolescence is a period of transition, a time where they develop physically, mentally, socioemotionally, and even spiritually. As each of these domains intersect and develop, an important aspect towards development is the concept of healthy self- identity or the "Who am I?" question. For this discussion, I explore my own conception of a healthy self-identity as well as comparing and contrasting biblical and the textbook's view of healthy self identity.

As the text states, identity is defined as who a person believes she or he is, representing a synthesis and integration of self- understanding (Santrock, 2018). Put another way, it is the culmination of all aspects of an individual that make up who they are. These aspects include the career paths they want to follow (vocation), political beliefs, religious beliefs (spirituality), relationship status, culture, personal interests, personality, and body image (Santrock, 2018). All of these domains come together in pieces to help form a person's identity but there are unhealthy and healthy ways to develop this identity. For healthy self- identity to develop, there is some criteria that I believe need to be followed. First, individuals need to exercise introspection, the ability to manage and examine mental and emotional states. In addition to this, people should allow self reflection. From experience, self reflection allows oneself to examine strengths and weaknesses and to apply strengths to specific areas and weaknesses to be developed and worked on as well. Next, being high in openness and trying out new experiences is important to self identity. People should never narrow their options to specific things, especially when it comes to vocational calling. Rather, they should use the time that they have to explore different interests and, if possible, travel the world and take in different cultures and ideas. Finally, social engagement is another piece to developing a strong identity. We were designed to be social creatures, to build relationships with one another and with God. I argue that being a part of religious group and being in loving environments where people can foster growth is important to the development of identity.

From a biblical perspective, we were created in the image of God as stated in the creation account in Genesis. We learn from this story that the world has been cursed and broken as a result of sin. However, through the love and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, our lives have been changed on a foundational level. Our identities are formed in union with Christ and we are to live like he did on this Earth and share his message. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This view holds that healthy self- identity comes from a transformation of ones life through Jesus. According to the textbook, revisionist theorists that healthy identity development involves evaluating identity commitments on a continuing basis. Specifically, exploration in depth, talking to others about commitments and a person's confidence and security in a commitment (Santrock, 2018). This view holds that identity formation comes in bits and pieces and is a gradual lifelong process. Even though the biblical and text views differ on the formation of healthy self identity, both involve a series of fundamental changes in a person. Through Christ, we are transformed into something new and through life experience and exploration we are able to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally into stewards of Christ. We cannot spiritually grow without Christ and we cannot grow as people without experience from life.