Identity agents

The paper introduces the concept of identity agents. This concept refers to
those individuals who actively interact with children and youth with the
intention of participating in their identity formation, and who reflectively
mediate larger social influences on identity formation. This contrasts with
the focus of mainstream research in the identity field that tends to portray
adolescents as the sole reflective agents involved in mature identity development.
The paper presents a theoretical analysis presenting the importance
of the concept for the formulation of a comprehensive contextual theory of
identity formation. The particulars of this concept are illustrated through the
presentation of a qualitative report of religious parents actively encouraging
their children's processes of identification, co-participating in their children's
identity's formation, and reflectively deliberating their parental roles
and goals in regards to this process.