Levels, agency, and control in the parent identity

Identity theory has defined agency as the ability to achieve internalized goal states rep resented in identity standards despite changing or opposing environmental conditions Agency is thought to result from the ability to modify standards or goals lower in the identity control hierarchy in light of principles higher in the hierarchy. In this paper we seek to expand our understanding of agency in identity through an in-depth study of the parent identity. We examine how parents relate standards higher in the identity hierarchy (such as whether the children are critical thinkers, loving, autonomous, and intellectually stimulated) with standards lo;lower in the hierarchy (such as assuring that their children have completed their homework, are off to school, or are involved in sports). We predict that parents who relate the two levels will experience greater agency. The increase in agency should result in higher levels of efficacy and lower levels of stress. Data based on in-depth interviews with single and married mothers tend to confirm this prediction, bur also indicate the importance of role-taking, resources, and family background for the development of the higher-level identity standards.