Difficulties with identity – art of self-creation and problem of recognition

Abstract

A discourse of the term identity is very unambiguous in social sciences. However, there is a prevailing opinion that identity is a social construct which is characterised by plurality of identifi cation relationships. Identity as a non-variable and stable quality of a man is in question and, on the contrary, it is understood as an ongoing process of constructing, defi ning and re-defining in the interaction of a man with the outer world. From the perspective of constructivism, the identity can be understood as the art of self-creation performed in concrete conditions of a social-cultural environment. In the era of late modernism the art of self-creation is being more signifi cantly performed in the atmosphere of growing insecurity. Insecurity causes problems when building self-confi dence, which complicates the process of creating a human identity. We, as consumers, experience certain insecurity when having to choose from a wide range of consumer goods and services. Uncertainty calls for a demand for the trust. Trust causes reduction of insecurity and supports self-confi dence as a presumption of creating identity. In the world of consumerism and consumption signifi cance, there is also a growing signifi cance of trademarks and of sellers as possible sources of trust. These sources become an important part of consumers´ self-creation and they become a symbol of social recognition. The inability to participate in the consumers´ world and in the commercial entertainment may cause frustration and humiliation leading to unwanted socially pathological behaviour.