Seeking Identity — Township youth and Social Development

Abstract

The potential of South African youth to play an economically productive and socially reconstructive role in society has been questioned. In this article it is argued that personal development is central to social development, and that appropriate intervention programmes which target the psychological functioning of youth will substantially enhance the chances of youth playing socially constructive roles in society. A framework for such interventions is suggested. The article applies Erikson's theory of identity development to township youth, first within an historical perspective and then to current youth. It is argued that both historically and currently, identity for many young people has been integrally linked with struggle for political change. A major challenge facing psychologists and other change agents is to help youth shift from this identity, to one in which youth see themselves as builders of and contributors towards a new democratic society. Key elements derived from Eriksonian theory which might facilitate this change are presented.