The formation of identity: the importance of ideals

De Ruyter, D. and Conroy, J. (2002) The formation of identity: the importance of ideals. Oxford Review of Education, 28(4), pp. 509-522. (doi: 10.1080/0305498022000013643)

Abstract

In the formation and composition of what might be termed personal identity a key but often neglected aspect is ideal identity. While comprising aspirations rather than realities, it makes a major contribution to the definition of self-identity. It does this as a result of: (a) clarifying what kind of person the individual wishes to be; and (b) an interrogation of how she sets about achieving her ideal identity, intimating what kind of person she is at a particular moment by virtue of the way in which she strives to achieve her ideal. The article argues for a re-appraisal of the notion of ideals in education and for its reinstatement as a significant feature of education. Indeed, we argue, children cannot avoid ideals--they are presented to them everyday from a wide variety of sources. But these sources or the ideals that they promote are not necessarily good for the child's well-being or for her fellow citizens. Consequently, teachers as moral agents have an important role in assisting children to acquire ideals that do meet such a criterion of goodness in addition to helping them reflect critically on the range of ideals they may encounter in their communities and society.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Conroy, Professor James
• Authors: De Ruyter, D., and Conroy, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Creativity Culture and Faith; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
• Journal Name: Oxford Review of Education
• ISSN: 0305-4985
• ISSN (Online): 1465-3915
• Published Online: 19 August 2010