Separation / Individuation

In order to develop their own individual identity, adolescents experience a separation from their childhood identity. They begin to decrease their dependence on their parents and learn how to be an autonomous people who are capable of making decisions and running their own lives.

This process leads to the teenager attaining a balance between dependence and independence with parents, teachers, and other authority figures.

In developing a distinct identity, teens often

• display uncharacteristic egocentrism: they have a persistent preoccupation with themselves.



• take oppositional stances in order to define themselves. This can be displayed through choice of hairstyles and clothing.



• attempt to become significant through positive or negative behaviours.



• have a greater need for privacy and are less open with their parents about their lives outside the family.



• experience an increase in conflicts in which parents push them to become more responsible, while, at the same time, they want more privileges and freedom.

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