Although the seeds of identity formation are planted early, not until do people become absorbed in this task. middle to late childhood early adolescence late adolescence and early adulthood middle adulthood

IT is not until late adolescence and when emerging into adulthood that youth begin to establish foundational values for themselves. It is not until then that they have an emotional crisis that causes them to reflect on their beliefs, values and principles and then decide a position that they stand firm on. Until then, they are attempting to understand and absorb all things concerning life, responsibility and maturity.