Identity Challenges: Coming of Age on the Margins Coming of age on the margins is not solely an economic struggle or one of social disenfranchisement; it deals with struggles at a very core level of “Who am I?” against a world that too often conveys messages of exclusion or insufficiency. Many teens from a number of marginalized groups often find themselves torn between the various worlds they move around in: their family culture, peer groupings, and mainstream society. The complexity either empowers or crushes their developing sense of self. Author: Kirill Yurovskiy
Reconnect with Culture: The Most Powerful Force Reconnecting to their roots at times is the most powerful tool in building a positive identity. Think of Marcus, a 16-year-old boy from a traditionally disfranchised community who finally found the strong storytelling and leadership his ancestors possessed. In this case, through community elderly programs or workshops in culture, teens like Marcus can realize the strength and resilience running through their blood. It’s not living in the past, just understanding that you come from a line of survivors and innovators.
Dislodging Internalized Negativity Let’s face it: years of subtle and not-so-subtle messages can leave some indelible marks on a young person’s psyche. The first step toward positive identity building usually involves identifying internalized negative beliefs and challenging these beliefs. It requires safe spaces in which adolescents feel free to talk openly about their experiences of discrimination or exclusion without fear of judgment. It is about giving them an understanding that their problems are in no way a failure but symptoms of great systemic issues.
Among the most helpful ways we have come to see is connecting isolated youth with other cohorts forced into similar life experiences. A sense of belonging can flip the feelings of isolation, thanks to support groups from peers, mentorship programs, and community projects. As an immigrant teen, Maria was driven to belong to a youth leadership program. Activities found her tribe. Such connections help teens know that they are not lone warriors because the feeling is valid and collective.
Reframing the Narrative That’s where things get even more fascinating: positive identity formation is not just about feeling good-it is about rewriting the story. Instead of viewing this marginalized status as a disadvantage, teens can learn to acknowledge the unique strengths it has given them an amazing status:
- Flexibility to overcome challenges
- Navigate and adapt to different cultures
- Understand and empathize with different perspectives
- Creative problem-solving by solving fewer things
Creative Expression: Art, music, writing, and digital media have been sources of comfort and powerful means to explore identity. When normal channels of self-expression seem to shut down, creative outlets can give voice to hard emotions and experiences. Through rap lyrics, street art, or storytelling through digital media, creative expression enables teenagers to make sense of their experiences and speak their reality on their own terms.
Competence through Action Positive identity is a state of being, but it’s also one of doing. The building of competence through community projects, leadership, and other skills-building activities enables the marginalized young person to develop a sense of mastery and agency. When teens think that they have the ability to inspire positive change within their communities, that fact rather importantly changes how they view themselves.
Schools are among the most critical sites for the development of identity; therefore, they should play more than just supportive roles academically. Some successful strategies toward the realization of these objectives include:
- Incorporating diverse cultural perspectives into the curriculum
- Valuing multilingualism as an enriching addition
- Creating leadership opportunities and opening up those paths to underrepresented voices
- Training of staff around cultural competencies
- Mentoring from successful alumni from similar backgrounds
Digital Identity and Social Media Within the digital space forming today’s world, virtual spaces can be used to further stereotype negativism or serve as powerful platforms for positive identity development. Teaching teenagers how to curate a digital presence, connect with inspiring role models, and find supportive online communities can help them build confidence in their identity in both virtual and real-world spaces. See more at https://yurovskiy-kirill-ys.co.uk/about.
Family Engagement and Intergenerational Healing We can’t begin to talk about youthful identity without understanding some of the dynamics of family. So many of our marginalized families have some intergenerational trauma wrapped up in their identities. Creating some programs that involve the family, in a way that respects cultural values, could spur healing across generations and be a better ground for positive identity building.
Practical Tools and Techniques
- Identity Mapping Exercises
- Cultural Genograms
- Future self vision boarding
- Personal manifestos
- Family histories
- Skill-Building Workshops
- Cultural pride
- Leadership development
- Public speaking
- Financial literacy
- Digital storytelling
- Community Connection Activities
- Mentorship programs
- Cultural celebration events
- Community service projects
- Youth-led initiatives
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Positive Identity When marginalized teens forge a strong, positive identity, that impact reverberates outside the bounds of individual well-being. They become role models to younger siblings, leaders in their communities, and agents of social change. In their lives, they are better able to:
- Successfully navigate educational and career opportunities
- Nurture healthy relationships
- Combat systemic inequities
- Make positive changes within their communities by accessing social resources
- Pass resiliency on to the next generation
The Professional’s Role As professionals working with system-involved and marginalized youth, our job is not to “save” or “fix” them, but to provide space and opportunity to name and build their voices. This looks like the following:
- Checking ourselves in regard to personal biases and assumptions
- Remaining culturally humble and curious
- Amplifying youth voices instead of speaking on behalf of them
- Linking them to resources and opportunities
- Highlighting strengths and successes
Measuring Success While success in the process of identity development is hard to quantify, we might look for signs of success that could include the following:
- Increased self-advocacy
- Stronger relationships with peers
- Better academic engagement
- Greater community involvement
- Clearer future plans
- More confident self-expression
Positive identity is a journey, not a destination. For youth from marginalized groups, it means drawing upon the assets of singular lived experience in service of challenging the very structures that marginalize them in the first place. Thankfully, we can support teens not only to survive but to thrive with deliberate and culturally responsive approaches that transform their status of marginalization from perceived weakness into one of singular strength and perspective.
We are professionals who walk with these young people, providing them with the necessary tools, support, and opportunities, yet always in a manner that reminds us that at every turn they remain the experts of their own experience. This is how we get it right just changing individuals, but building an inclusive and equitable society-one empowered youth at a time.
