NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE: IDENTITY FORMATION IN A CROSS-CULTURAL ADOLESCENT AS PORTRAYED IN SEAN WANG’S DÌDI (??)

Dela Julia Ananta

doi:10.24198/serat.v3i3.63494

Authors

Dela Julia Ananta
Delajulia08@gmail.com
Universitas Padjadjaran

Abstract

The surrounding sociocultural environment plays a big role in the identity formation that occurs in adolescence. Navigating adolescence and forming an identity can be challenging, particularly for immigrants who are exposed to two or more different cultural influences. This qualitative study, conducted using descriptive analysis method, applies psychosocial development theory as an approach to explore how Sean Wang depicted the challenges that adolescents with cross-cultural identity must face in the process of identity formation as represented by a Taiwanese-American adolescent in the film Dìdi (2024). The analysis proves that in the process of his identity formation, Chris faces numerous challenges tied to his identity as an immigrant, such as the dominant majority's views and discrimination that lead to internalized racism and family cultural values that are not in line with his personal aspirations. The present study argues that understanding the effects of cross-cultural identity on adolescents’ identity formation and how the process is represented in film can serve as a supportive medium for other adolescents with cross-cultural identities in navigating their adolescence in a positive direction.Keywords: Adolescent, Cross-cultural identity, Film, Identity Formation, Immigrant

References

Arce, C. H. (1981). A reconsideration of Chicano culture and identity. Daedalus, 177–191.

Attiba, K. (2024a). Chinese Immigrant Cultural Identity Acceptance in Turning Red Film. Vivid: Journal of Language and Literature, 13(2), 123–133.

Attiba, K. (2024b). Chinese Immigrant Cultural Identity Acceptance in Turning Red Film. Vivid: Journal of Language and Literature, 13(2), 123–133.

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (2017). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Interpersonal Development, 57–89.

Berghahn, D. (2010). Coming of age in ‘The Hood’: The diasporic youth film and questions of genre. In European cinema in motion: migrant and diasporic film in contemporary Europe (pp. 235–255). Springer.

Besana, T., Katsiaficas, D., & Loyd, A. B. (2019). Asian American media representation: A film analysis and implications for identity development. Research in Human Development, 16(3–4), 201–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2020.1711680

Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The location of culture. routledge.

Bosma, H. A., & Kunnen, E. S. (2001). Determinants and mechanisms in ego identity development: A review and synthesis. Developmental Review, 21(1), 39–66.

Chao, R. K. (2001). Extending research on the consequences of parenting style for Chinese Americans and European Americans. Child Development, 72(6), 1832–1843.

Chen, C. L., & Yang, D. C. Y. (1986). The Self Image of Chinese—American Adolescents: a Cross—Cultural Comparison. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 32(4), 19–26.

Connor, J. W. (1977). Tradition and change in three generations of Japanese Americans. In (No Title).

Doherty, T., & Doherty, T. P. (2010). Teenagers and teenpics: Juvenilization of American movies. Temple University Press.

Driedger, L. (1976). Ethnic self-identity: A comparison of ingroup evaluations. Sociometry, 131–141.

Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society (Vol. 445). Norton.

Fiebert, M. S., & Fiebert, P. B. (1969). A conceptual guide to friendship formation. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 28(2), 383–390.

Hall, S. (1989). Cultural identity and cinematic representation. Framework: The Journal of Cinema and Media, 36, 68–81.

Hsu, F. L. K. (1980). Americans and Chinese: Passages to differences. University of Hawaii Press.

IMDb. (2024). Dìdi (??) Awards - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30319503/awards/?ref_=tt_awd

Kiang, L., Peterson, J. L., & Thompson, T. L. (2011). Ethnic peer preferences among Asian American adolescents in emerging immigrant communities. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(4), 754–761.

Lewin, K. (1948). Resolving social conflicts; selected papers on group dynamics. Harper.

Para, E. A. (2008). The role of social support in identity formation: A literature review. Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1(1), 9.

Phinney, J. S. (1990). Ethnic identity in adolescents and adults: Review of research. Readings in Ethnic Psychology, 73–99.

Rick, K., & Forward, J. (1992). Acculturation and perceived intergenerational differences among Hmong youth. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 23(1), 85–94.

Singh, V. P. (1977). Some theoretical and methodological problems in the study of ethnic identity: A cross?cultural perspective. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 285(1), 32–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1977.tb29338.x

Tajfel, H. (1981). Human groups and social categories: Studies in social psychology. In (No Title).

Ting-Toomey, S. (1981). Ethnic identity and close friendship in Chinese-American college students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 5(4), 383–406.

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://data.census.gov/table?t=Native+and+Foreign-Born&g=160XX00US0626000

Wu, C., & Chao, R. K. (2011). Intergenerational cultural dissonance in parent–adolescent relationships among Chinese and European Americans. Developmental Psychology, 47(2), 493.