Value Builders International
The Impact of Modern Culture’s Identity Crisis on Youth Self-Value: A Call for Root-Cause Solutions
In today’s world, young people are navigating an unprecedented culture of identity crisis. What used to be a straightforward journey of self-discovery has become fraught with confusion, fueled by a culture that presents an overwhelming number of gender identities and even encourages teens to identify as animals, such as cats or dogs. While society celebrates this freedom of expression, there is a growing concern about the mental health impact on teens who struggle to find and appreciate their true self-value in this confusing landscape.
The Modern Identity Crisis: Confusion Surrounding Gender and Identity
The rapid introduction of new gender identities—ranging from non-binary, genderqueer, and agender to a seemingly endless list of personal labels—has left many young people more confused than ever. What was once a clear and meaningful process of understanding one’s identity, grounded in personal, spiritual, or familial values, has become blurred by the proliferation of terms and concepts unfamiliar to previous generations.
This explosion of new gender definitions has created an identity culture in which youth are not only exposed to a wider range of choices but are often encouraged to question their identity and experiment with different labels. For some teens, this environment has gone beyond gender expression; some now identify as animals—a phenomenon referred to as “furries,” or even in more extreme cases, claiming to be a cat or dog. In some schools and social circles, this is celebrated as self-expression, but at what cost to a young person’s mental health and self-worth?
The Negative Impact on Mental Health and Self-Worth
For many young people, the pressure to fit into a particular identity, or even to continually reassess and redefine themselves, can lead to confusion, anxiety, and a deep sense of insecurity. Rather than developing a strong sense of self that is rooted in intrinsic worth, young people may begin to view their identity as something fluid, unstable, and ultimately defined by external approval rather than inner understanding.
This identity crisis has been linked to a rise in mental health issues among teenagers. The pressure to constantly reinvent themselves, the fear of being judged or rejected, and the disconnection from a stable sense of who they are lead to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and a feeling of being lost. Instead of celebrating their intrinsic value as individuals, youth are often left searching for self-worth in fleeting, superficial labels that do little to address deeper, underlying issues.
The Role of Formal Axiology and the Hartman Value Profile
In such a complex and confusing environment, how can we help young people reconnect with their true sense of self-worth? The answer lies in addressing the root causes of this identity confusion, rather than merely focusing on the symptoms. This is where the science of formal axiology, developed by Dr. Robert S. Hartman, and the Hartman Value Profile (HVP) come into play.
Dr. Hartman’s work is grounded in the understanding that “good” is synonymous with God, and the more characteristics something has that reflect God (such as love, truth, and justice), the more “good” it is. This core philosophy helps us understand that a person’s value is intrinsic, given by God, and not subject to the shifting tides of social trends or external labels. Formal axiology provides a framework to help individuals understand how they value themselves, others, and the world around them. The Hartman Value Profile is a tool that can assess these value structures and reveal where a person’s perception of their worth might be distorted.
The HVP is particularly useful in diagnosing the root causes of stress, anxiety, and identity confusion in teenagers. By measuring how a young person values themselves (intrinsic value), their achievements (extrinsic value), and the systems and structures around them (systemic value), we can pinpoint where their value system is out of balance. This provides a clear picture of the internal conflicts that may be driving their identity struggles.
Understanding the Root Causes: Beyond the Surface
One of the primary benefits of the Hartman Value Profile is that it doesn’t just focus on outward symptoms like anxiety, depression, or identity confusion. Instead, it digs deeper into the underlying value structures that influence how a person thinks and feels about themselves. For example, a teenager who places too much emphasis on extrinsic values—such as how others perceive them or their performance in school—may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and stress when they fall short. On the other hand, a teen with a distorted sense of intrinsic value may feel lost, constantly searching for an identity that resonates with their true self.
By identifying these imbalances, the HVP allows us to understand the root causes of a teen’s struggles. Rather than simply treating the symptoms—such as medicating anxiety or depression—this approach offers a more profound solution by realigning a young person’s value system with their God-given worth.
Creating Individualized Coaching Programs Based on HVP Results
Once the Hartman Value Profile has been used to diagnose the root causes of a young person’s identity struggles, the next step is to create an individualized coaching program. These programs are tailored to each teen’s specific value imbalances and are designed to help them reconnect with their intrinsic worth, rather than relying on external labels or societal expectations for validation.
For example, if a teen’s HVP reveals an overemphasis on extrinsic value, the coaching program might focus on helping them appreciate their unique gifts and talents as reflections of God’s creation, rather than as measures of their worth. If the problem lies in an undervalued intrinsic sense of self, coaching might focus on spiritual growth, fostering a deep understanding that their worth is not determined by how others perceive them but by their inherent value as a creation of God.
By addressing these deeper value structures, coaching based on the HVP helps teens develop a stable, resilient sense of self-worth. This foundation empowers them to navigate the confusing messages of modern culture without losing sight of their true identity, grounded in intrinsic value and God’s goodness.
Conclusion: Moving Beyond Identity Confusion to True Self-Value
The modern culture of identity crisis is leading many young people down a path of confusion, where they are encouraged to question their identity at every turn. While society celebrates this as freedom of expression, the real cost is being paid by teenagers who struggle to find a stable, meaningful sense of self-worth. The pressure to conform to constantly shifting definitions of identity is taking a toll on their mental health and well-being.
The science of formal axiology and the Hartman Value Profile offer a powerful solution to this problem by addressing the root causes of identity confusion. By helping young people understand their value as inherently good, grounded in God’s creation, we can provide them with the tools they need to build a stable, resilient sense of self. With individualized coaching programs based on HVP results, we can guide teens toward a deeper understanding of their worth, helping them to rise above the identity confusion of modern culture and find peace in their true identity.
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