The creation of a concept of one’s own life by adolescents as a manifestation of subjectivity and autonomy

Abstract

Abstract The article discusses the creation by young people of a concept of their own lives during adolescence, which is treated as a sign of their subjectivity and autonomy. What was emphasised therein was the significant relationship between the creation of the own life concept by adolescents and their overall development during adolescence (development of thinking, personality, value system, future perspectives and social development). Deliberations were based on the theoretical concepts of Piaget (1970) and Niemczyński (1980, 1988), as well as in the empirical studies of Nuttin (1980), Nurmi (1991), Zaleski (1991), Trempała (1996, 2000), Liberska (2004), Katra (2008), and Czerwińska-Jasiewicz (1997, 2005, 2015). An extended author’s own model of the creation of an own life concept by adolescents was also presented (Czerwińska-Jasiewicz, 2015). This model indicates the main elements of the own life concept of adolescents (preferred lifestyle, goals and life plans as well as decisions concerning their future) and the main factors that have an impact on the creation of this concept by them (value system, social factors, factors related to general development, and individual characteristics). Conclusions formulated on the basis of the author’s own research were also presented (Czerwińska-Jasiewicz, 1997 2005, 2015). Further considerations constituted an attempt to substantiate the contention that the creation of the concept of their own lives by adolescents is a manifestation of their subjectivity and autonomy.