04 Gender Differences in the Salient Identities of Adolescents

Abstract

The study examined gender differences in the salient identities of adolescents.  A purposive convenient sample of 100 adolescents with a distribution of 50 boys and 50 girls (13-16years) was drawn from two private schools. Aspect of salient identity questionnaire (Cheek, Smith & Tropp, 2002) was administered to measure the personal, social, collective and relational identities and figure rating scale (Stunkard, 1983) was used to investigate physical identity of adolescents. MANOVA was used to see the effect of adolescents’ gender on salient identities. Results indicated significant effect of gender on salient identities of adolescents. Girls significantly scored higher on relational identity whereas boys significantly scored higher on collective identity and were also significantly dissatisfied with their physical identity. Results also indicated that social identity and personal identity is equally important for both adolescent boys and girls. This study has important implications for developmental psychologists, educationists, parents and adolescents.