Employment status can shape youth identity

Although we prefer to believe that life is about more than just work, we frequently inquire about the occupations of new individuals we meet. It’s true that our personal identities are shaped by our employment, especially for those who are entering the workforce.

In any case, this is the implication put up by Osaka Metropolitan University researchers. They note that people particularly identify with their work while they are in their 20s. This is mentioned an article that was just published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

A longitudinal Japanese study with 875 people aged 24.74 demonstrated this. The volunteers’ identity development was monitored by the academics from 2015 to 2019. Based on their employment position (full-time, part-time, unemployed, etc.), the volunteers were separated into five groups.

They wanted to know if their workplace shaped their identities. It turns out that it did. Young adults who experienced sudden changes in their working lives, such as going from a full-time to a part-time employment or losing their job, were more likely to have an identity crisis and have their self-image impacted by the shift.

On the other hand, individuals in their 20s who were in more stable employment found it easier to develop their adult identities. Which improved their overall wellbeing regardless of their line of work.

The results show a strong correlation between young adults’ job stability and their sense of self.

“While identity has traditionally been considered a central issue during adolescence, our study is the first to show that it remains a crucial element supporting wellbeing in adulthood,” said Kai Hatano, associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University and lead author of the study.

Therefore, public authorities ought to give young people’s professional integration top attention. Even though graduates often do better than others depending on the amount and specialization of their schooling, many people in their 20s are having difficulty finding stable job.

It can be challenging to develop a positive self-image when you’re insecure in your career. Maybe it’s time to stand back and reconsider the other facets of our lives that really define who we are.

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