Presentations of the Adolescent Self in Contemporary Society

Abstract

This chapter addresses how young people present themselves and express their identity to others in contemporary society, and begins to build the concept of civic identity by illustrating the identities of young people. Identity is a personal experience, and the author argues that identity is how young people describe, present, and express themselves. This type of expression is difficult for young people, as adolescence is a time of change and evolution in one’s life, but it is an even more difficult task for young people of color. The author highlights how identity and presentation of the self can be understood in contemporary society, providing a foundation for how young people present themselves as citizens or members of society as well. The case of Martin, a young black male, helps to highlight how young people struggle with their presentation of self in today’s digital era.