Young People Developing Their Identity Perception and Values: How Can School Support Such a Process by Bringing in Controversial Issues?

Juliana Crespo Lopes () and Bodil Liljefors Persson ()
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Juliana Crespo Lopes: Department of Theory and Foundations of Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, PR, Brazil
Bodil Liljefors Persson: Department of Society, Culture, Identity, Faculty of Education and Society, Malmö University, 211 19 Malmö, Sweden

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: This article draws upon group conversations with young people (11–19 years old) from Europe, focusing on the Nordic countries. The participants’ identity perception showed more aspects as the deliberative, non-structured conversations advanced. From initially showing limited aspects of identity as being related to geographical and temporal aspects, a broader comprehension of identities as constructed, multiple, and at times subject to negotiation and change came to the fore during the discussions. Examples given showed an awareness that people, such as older relatives, develop diverse ways of thinking and acting due to historical and cultural contexts. Understanding that there is an intersection between psychosocial, post-structural, and sociocultural explanations for how identity formation progresses, we propose pedagogical actions working with controversial issues and values, raising critical consciousness of the context. During the conversations, a majority expressed that controversial issues were not something they dealt with at school. By working with controversial issues, the content of conflicts is made visible, and the possibility for students to recognize and respect each other’s diverse identities and perceptions increases. The goal of bringing controversial issues into education and conducting good discussions in the classroom is to help students develop and assess their opinions, gain an increased understanding, and consider new perspectives on various issues.

Keywords: controversial issues; identity; Nordic countries; values; young people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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