A Key Role In Shaping Personal Identity
People can define their personal identity in any number of ways. Whether that is through their job, their relationship to another person, or through their interests. My identity is strongly linked to the music I listen to. I think a moment that played a key role in shaping my identity was when I went to my first punk show. I was 14 years old and was friends with several skaters. My one friend Andrew had a half pipe at his house, along with a barn. When the skate park in our town was about to be shut down, a benefit was held at Andrew’s barn. My friend’s band, along with many others played that day and we raised enough money to keep the skate park open. I had never experienced an event like that, so many friends in one place, so many bands I
liked. The punk scene in my hometown and the punk scene in Philadelphia have both helped shape my identity greatly. Hardcore punk created the environment I spent time in when I was not at home and aided in molding who I am currently. Participating in the punk scene allowed me to be exposed to things like feminism, anti fascism, and anti capitalism at a much younger age than most people which I am grateful for. All of these things are still present in my life and are a driving force behind a lot of the classes I decided to take throughout my time in college.
Prior to this particular event, I was not sure who I was or what I stood for but punk has taught me, and continues to teach me, a lot of values. Before this I was in a state where I did not question anything in my life and accepted it how it was even though I had no sense of direction. Using James Marcia’s Adolescent Identity Development, I would say that prior to my entrance into the punk scene I was in a state of diffusion. As explained in the video, a person is in a state of diffusion “If you are not doing anything or committing to anything,” (2:40). I was not content with my position in the world and felt that I simply existed, however I did not partake in anything that would have changed my circumstances. Through punk I was able to find things in my life that are meaningful. It has allowed me to make friendships that have lasted since my first show, it has given me the confidence to start playing an instrument myself, and it has given me a reason to travel to other countries.
liked. The punk scene in my hometown and the punk scene in Philadelphia have both helped shape my identity greatly. Hardcore punk created the environment I spent time in when I was not at home and aided in molding who I am currently. Participating in the punk scene allowed me to be exposed to things like feminism, anti fascism, and anti capitalism at a much younger age than most people which I am grateful for. All of these things are still present in my life and are a driving force behind a lot of the classes I decided to take throughout my time in college.
Prior to this particular event, I was not sure who I was or what I stood for but punk has taught me, and continues to teach me, a lot of values. Before this I was in a state where I did not question anything in my life and accepted it how it was even though I had no sense of direction. Using James Marcia’s Adolescent Identity Development, I would say that prior to my entrance into the punk scene I was in a state of diffusion. As explained in the video, a person is in a state of diffusion “If you are not doing anything or committing to anything,” (2:40). I was not content with my position in the world and felt that I simply existed, however I did not partake in anything that would have changed my circumstances. Through punk I was able to find things in my life that are meaningful. It has allowed me to make friendships that have lasted since my first show, it has given me the confidence to start playing an instrument myself, and it has given me a reason to travel to other countries.