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Reconciling social norms with personal interests: indigenous styles of identity formation among Pakistani youth

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 11:38 authored by Bushra Hassan, Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Seth J Schwartz
Research 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 Adulthood

ISSN

2167-6968

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

3

Volume

7

Page range

194-207

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-01-16

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-04-13

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-01-16

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