| "Identity" is a very vague term with different | | | | generations to this level of identity, societies must |
| meanings. What is identity? "It refers to the cultural | | | | have regulated plans to educate and treat children |
| values or perspectives an individual most strongly | | | | from the very young ages; so that these learned |
| relates to; such as an Asian identity"(SCP), "The | | | | values and moralities will be strengthened through |
| distinguishing character or personality of an | | | | ages. Cultural means can best aid and instruct children. |
| individual"(Arts Connected Organization), "It includes | | | | This process of identity formation has always been |
| those qualities that distinguish one person from | | | | very dominant through years by Hollywood.Hollywood |
| another" (Encarta Encyclopedia), "The distinguishing | | | | as the most influential media in America, and also in |
| character or personality of an individual" (Britannica | | | | other countries, has had a great role in identity |
| Encyclopedia). The very concise definition of | | | | formation of Americans since childhood. American |
| "Identity" is realized in the question of "who Am I?" | | | | values and morale are being conducted in different |
| It refers to one's specific and unique characteristics | | | | ways in Hollywood movies; religious, national, political, |
| and features which differ it from others. It | | | | moral and even economic values. There has always |
| represents the real "self" of the person and the | | | | been a great emphasis upon religious |
| behaviors and desires due to that understood "self". | | | | believes-attending church or celebrating religious |
| Like most human characteristics identity is formed | | | | holidays like Christmas- and national values; American |
| through a very long and deep process.The personal | | | | has always been stressing upon. Equality, liberty, love |
| continuity and being unique are the most important | | | | for the nation, freedom of expression, human right |
| factors of identity formation. It goes without saying | | | | have been demonstrated repeatedly in movies in |
| that people, moreover to their personal identity that | | | | order to imply meanings and values.American cinema |
| is formed mainly in families and schools in very young | | | | has also established the "rating system" in Hollywood |
| ages, acquire their social identity according to what | | | | so that it could have the cinema under its own |
| group they belong to; membership in familial, ethnic, | | | | control and it could present what ever was to the |
| religious or even occupational groups. These group | | | | benefit of the society. Rating was considered as a |
| identities are necessary for people in order to define | | | | way to set force limitations. Hollywood movies were |
| themselves in the eyes of both others and | | | | being rated when bearing sexual affairs, violence, |
| themselves. | | | | drug abuse and crimes. Thus, they would have |
| Erik Erikson has extensively discussed "Identity | | | | restricted sexual openness in the society, they would |
| Formation" under his theory of "developmental | | | | have abandoned violence and drug abuse presented |
| stages", which believes identity formation extends | | | | widely to people, more specifically to children for |
| from birth through adulthood. He states that this | | | | whose sake rating system has developed in the |
| identity formation begins in childhood and goes along | | | | United States in 1930s by Motion Picture Association |
| to adolescence and it also gains prominence in | | | | of America. Rating system has been categorized |
| adolescence. Having had physical growth, sexual | | | | considering age limits. American movies have been |
| maturation, and various occupational opportunities, | | | | divided into 5 categories as follows; G category- |
| adults will start integrating their former experiences | | | | General Audiences- that all ages are admitted and is |
| and characteristics, gained specifically through | | | | surely pure of any immorality, PG that means some |
| childhood, into a fixed and -perhaps- permanent | | | | materials may not be very appropriate for children, |
| identity. But basics of identity are constructed in | | | | PG-13 implies that some material may be |
| childhood and teenage years. Thus, it can be said | | | | inappropriate for children under 13, R that children |
| that the most significant period of identity | | | | under 17 must be accompanied by parents or adult |
| construction is childhood.The predictable obstacle | | | | guardian and the last one is NC-17 that no one 17 or |
| through the identity formation can be identity crisis | | | | under is permitted.Another approach to teaching |
| caused by various reasons and circumstances. | | | | morality is through movies conveying moral values, |
| According to Erikson, the crisis can be resolved by | | | | expressing national and religious connotations, |
| one's progress through previous developmental | | | | showing the way of life; the life which is desirable to |
| stages, orienting on basic issues of life such as trust, | | | | public and government. The very good examples of |
| autonomy, and motives. "J. E. Marcia illustrates four | | | | these moral films made before and after World War |
| common ways in which adults deal with the challenge | | | | II are "It's a wonderful life" and "You can't take it |
| of identity formation. Those who successfully | | | | with you" directed by Frank Capra; former made in |
| resolved and passed identity crisis are referred as | | | | 1946 and latter made in 1938. Both films were great |
| "identity-achieved." Others who are trying to make | | | | messengers of American identity.In "It's a wonderful |
| commitments without questioning or investigating | | | | life" we can see "George Bailey has so many |
| alternatives are named "identity-foreclosed," those | | | | problems he is thinking to end them all - and it's |
| who are "identity-diffused" flee from making decisions | | | | Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his |
| about their futures who are unable to make total | | | | life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a |
| heartily commitments to careers, values, or other | | | | bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, |
| people. In contrary, those in the "moratorium" group | | | | Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town |
| are struggling and experiencing an ongoing crisis as | | | | would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his |
| they try to "find themselves."(Gale Encyclopedia of | | | | good deeds over the years". The emphasis on |
| Psychology)Undoubtedly, societies are in search for | | | | Christmas, friendship, helping others, benignity of |
| "identity-achieved" generations. Hence, the young | | | | politicians and private organizations are all subjects |
| generation or even adults will not be struggling with | | | | that need a great stress and emphasis to be |
| their "selves" or the society to find out moralities and | | | | learned.The same subjects also exist in "You can't |
| values when they are mature enough to work and | | | | take it with you" in another way. |
| produce labor for their society. To be able to lead | | | | |