Conceptualizing Adult Identity Formation in Higher Education Context
The main intention of this paper is to explore the possibility of positioning the discourse on adult identity formation within the context of higher education. To this end, first formational potential of higher education is revisited. Further on, Eriksonian psychosocial theoretical approach and Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood are proposed as the referential framework for conceptualizing adult identity formation processes. It is concluded that by offering instituzionalized moratorium and the possibility for the extended transition from adolescence to adulthood, higher education context provides intensive identity work opportunities. However, in dominant discourses, higher education's humanistic ends have been suppressed by economistic and utilitarian objectives. Therefore, this paper also urges revitalizing higher education's humanistic values by exploring personal growth posibilities.