Constructing identities in the sixth wave (2010-2060) culture

Voitto Kuosmanen

doi:10.31926/but.ssl.2020.13.62.3.9

Abstract

Identities are at the beginning of the 21st century, in one way or another, related to almost all cultural, religious and ethnic tensions and conflicts within and between national states. Why identities have become important? In this article I'm looking for answers to the following questions: What is happening to identities? What alternative strategies and options to constructing identities do people have? How do they change people’s orientation towards “the others” and the future? In my article, I study what challenges current identities pose to education, research and the economy in the Sixth Wave social, economic and cultural change. I suggest strengthening hybrid identity and social pedagogical orientation to face the future.

Highlights

At the beginning of the 21st century ethnic, religious and cultural tensions and conflicts between people and between groups, within and between states, have increased
Identities are at the beginning of the 21st century, in one way or another, related to almost all cultural, religious and ethnic tensions and conflicts within and between national states
Why identities have become important? In this article I'm looking for answers to the following questions: What is happening to identities? What alternative strategies and options to constructing identities do people have? How do they change people’s orientation towards “the others” and the future? In my article, I study what challenges current identities pose to education, research and the economy in the Sixth Wave social, economic and cultural change

Summary

Introduction

At the beginning of the 21st century ethnic, religious and cultural tensions and conflicts between people and between groups, within and between states, have increased. Tensions and conflicts are related in many ways to identities and the construction of identities. I'm looking for answers to the questions: What is happening to identities? How do they change the way people orientate towards the others and the future? What options are there when it comes to orienting towards the future? What challenges do especially education and research face 2010-2060?. My article is mainly based on Stuart Hall's (1932-2014) research on identity and cultural change, as well as my own articles and essays on identities, social pedagogy, social, economic, cultural and political change

The Scene for Constructing Identities in the Sixth Wave World

KUOSMANEN:

Options for Constructing Identities

Strategies to Face the Future