Identity Styles of University Students in a Globalising World – a Sociopedagogical Perspective

Abstract

Reflections on the globalising reality and young people, who have to cope with transformations occurring around them, such as difficulties of their development stage, but also the constant changes making the world unpredictable, inspired the research on the sense of identity among contemporary students. The research was aimed at investigating the subjective aspect of the sense of identity of academic youth participating in a globalising reality. The main research question was: “What is the subjective aspect of the sense of identity of university students participating in a globalizing reality, and which variables differentiate it?” The research results were contrasted with the 2012 study, which addressed the same research objective and issue. The same method and research tools were used then. This indicated a direction of change in the identifications of the surveyed youth and their identity styles. Research findings indicate that young people living in postmodernity appear to possess a defined self-image and are engaged in their own identity problems. They typically resolve these problems through self-reflection based on newly acquired information about themselves. However, they increasingly demonstrate a closed-minded attitude toward this information, or choose escape as a method of resolving difficulties. A growing individualistic tendency is also noticeable among contemporary youth. The attributes of the young generation represent a response to the multiplicity and dynamic transformations of “liquid modernity.” Research on young people and their identities prompts young people to undertake self-reflection. It updates knowledge about the psychosocial condition of contemporary youth, who are in a double crisis. In addition, they provide an important report on the resources and ways in which young people cope with identity issues. Given the dynamic nature of changes in our globalizing reality, it's crucial to continually update our knowledge of youth. This is especially true given that we live in a prefigurative culture where young people are the driving force behind change.