Identity Constraints: The Perceived Structural Requirements of a 'Good' Identity

Abstract

Ego Identity Status Theory, following Erikson''s identity theory, describes mature identity as striving towards sameness and continuity, and as thus constrained by structural elements such as closure, consistency and commitment. Lately, however, theoreticians are portraying a relatively unconstrained postmodern, mutable, multiple, Protean self, continuously changing and inconsistent across situations. This paper examines personal narratives of identity formation in order to determine what 30 Jewish modern orthodox young adults implicitly considered to be the structural requirements of a ''good'' identity. Their deliberations regarding a potentially conflictual identity issue (i.e. their religious and sexual development) revealed four constraints on identity: A ''good'' identity must allow for: a sense of consistency, sameness and continuity; the inclusion of all significant identifications; mutual recognition between individual and society; and feelings of authenticity and vitality. The possible implications of the concept of ''identity constraints'' on identity theory are discussed.