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Identity Moratorium

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Author Carla Krueger once said, “The greatest barrier to self-understanding is our fear of knowing the truth within ourselves, but when we do understand ourselves, we greatly enhance what we are capable of.” I feel as if Miss. Kruger has a very valid point that is entirely pertinent to this essay; understanding one’s self is extremely important if one wishes to reach a stage self-fulfillment. By understanding yourself, you can communicate with others in a more effective and constructive manner. Better communication can then lead to healthier and stronger relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. Throughout our lives, we often look ahead to the future, waiting in perpetual anticipation to see what we will become. Alas, what we …show more content…

They feel around to see what will work for them and try to push back committing to any serious or long-term responsibilities. Identity moratorium is times in the life of teenagers where they try new personas, identities, activities, ways of dressing, etc (Rathus, 2010, p.316-317). In my life I would say I still go through stages of identity moratorium quite often. I find myself trying new ways of dressing constantly. I have begun to settle into a wardrobe that I feel comfortable in and believe I look good in, but I still try new things. For example, I’m perfectly comfortable in the footwear I own, but I still would like to purchase a pair of Doc Martens boots. I think the boots could add some sort of edginess or interesting quirk to my life. I’m aware that a simple pair of shoes can’t do this, but in my mind I still can rationalize the boots as a good purchase. I still want to get an earring as well. I’m not very sold on the idea, but I feel as if I should just try it and see how it looks on me. I think if I try to get it later in life, I’ll look desperate. I just think the identity stage of moratorium fits very well into the teenage years. Society views it as socially acceptable to experiment with who you are as a …show more content…

During this stage teenagers try to fit themselves into social groups that are already present. People in this stage will make decisions swiftly and never think about how those choices will affect them in the long run (Rathus, 2010, p.317).I know that I was certainly within this status at the start of high school. I believed very strongly that I knew who I was, and if any thoughts conflicted with my preconceived image of myself, I would repress them. In this stage I also accepted everything my parents told me as the absolute truth, and I questioned none of their standards for me. I first started to question the decisions I made and the beliefs I formed within this stage during my sophomore year. First and possibly most importantly, I came to terms with being gay. Starting in eighth grade with the onset of puberty (fun times), I realized that I was in no way attracted to females, and was attracted to other males. I was raised in a progressive and loving household, so I never felt the shame often experienced by young people who are gay. I never told anyone how I felt at that time; I simply repressed my emotions. But I first told someone I was gay sophomore year, and it changed my life. I became much happier and felt free of the secret I had held for so long. Since that first time I came out, I have continued to come out, and I am now completely open with my

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