Chapter 6, Toward Contemporary Issues, Youth Summary and Analysis

Erikson resists the idea of characterizing modern youth as pathological or lacking virtue. Instead, he wants to understand why youth are searching for something to be true to in areas not sanctioned by society. This search may appear perverse but there is something normal in it. Youth often experience an estrangement from existence which is evidence of identity diffusion. Youth desire to have unique and differentiated identities. Often cultures and individuals will be led to absolutize their values, make them universal, perfect and sublime in an attempt to achieve this differentiation.

In youth, ego strength comes from the confirmation of individual and community, from community recognition of youth as bearing fresh energy. This process includes physical growth and the acquisition of the ability to procreate, the desire to be 'on the go' and...