Identity

Each person develops a distinct & differential identity in the move from childhood into adolescence into adulthood – from the world they were born into, to the world they spend their adult life in – the four lines of identity formation are: 
 
1. Productive Identity – earning or learning – work or study – productivity 
 
2. Attachment Identity – belonging- who claims you as one of them – most often family  
 
3. Peer Identity – similarity – friends, acquaintances, a world shared in common 
 
4. Sexual Identity – closeness – intimacy, love, sexuality, sex & solace 
 
A good idea to have all 4 lines of identity functioning reasonably well, most of the time – not a good idea to have more than 1 line of identity down or dysfunctional for any protracted period of time – the person & others around them make an adaptation that reinforces this dysfunctional identity – makes it extremely difficult to produce change in a conventional way.