Identity development models are fundamental to understanding how people construct their sense of self in relation to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and race. Through an analytical essay (5 to 7 pages), find relevant information and analyze the Troiden (Sexual Identity), Cass (Homosexual Identity), and Cross (Black Racial Identity) models, comparing their approaches and discussing their relevance to social work practice.
Focus on the following points:
1- Explain each model:
Troiden’s (1989) model: Sexual identity development.
Cass’s (1979) model: Homosexual identity development.
Cross’s (1971, revised in 1991) model: Black racial identity development.
2- Compare and Contrast:
How are these models similar and different?
How does each model conceptualize the identity process within its respective group?
3- Application in Social Work:
How do these models help social workers better understand their clients’ experiences?
How could they be applied in clinical or community interventions with diverse populations?
4- Critical Reflection:
Are there limitations to these models?
Do you think these models are still relevant today? Why?
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Here’s an analytical essay comparing the Troiden, Cass, and Cross identity development models, focusing on your specified points:
Identity Development Models: A Comparative Analysis
Identity development is a complex and multifaceted process through which individuals form a sense of self in relation to various social categories. Understanding this process is crucial for social work practice, as it informs how practitioners engage with and support diverse populations. This essay analyzes three influential identity development models: Troiden’s model of sexual identity development, Cass’s model of homosexual identity development, and Cross’s model of Black racial identity development. By explaining, comparing, and contrasting these models, this essay will explore their relevance to social work practice and offer a critical reflection on their limitations and contemporary relevance.
Here’s an analytical essay comparing the Troiden, Cass, and Cross identity development models, focusing on your specified points:
Identity Development Models: A Comparative Analysis
Identity development is a complex and multifaceted process through which individuals form a sense of self in relation to various social categories. Understanding this process is crucial for social work practice, as it informs how practitioners engage with and support diverse populations. This essay analyzes three influential identity development models: Troiden’s model of sexual identity development, Cass’s model of homosexual identity development, and Cross’s model of Black racial identity development. By explaining, comparing, and contrasting these models, this essay will explore their relevance to social work practice and offer a critical reflection on their limitations and contemporary relevance.
. Explanation of the Models
Troiden’s (1989) Model: Sexual Identity Development
Troiden’s model describes the development of a gay or lesbian sexual identity. It emphasizes the influence of social and situational factors on this process, outlining four stages:
- Sensitization: In this initial stage, individuals experience a sense of being different from their peers. They may have vague, undefined feelings or attractions that they don’t understand.
- Identity Confusion: Individuals become aware of same-sex attractions, thoughts, or behaviors, leading to confusion, anxiety, and questioning. This stage involves grappling with the possibility of not being heterosexual.
- Identity Assumption: Individuals begin to accept a gay or lesbian identity. This involves self-disclosure to others and increased contact with the LGBTQ+ community.
- Commitment: Individuals fully accept their gay or lesbian identity and integrate it into their overall sense of self. They develop a stable and positive self-image and may become involved in LGBTQ+ activism.
Cass’s (1979) Model: Homosexual Identity Development
Cass’s model, one of the earliest models of homosexual identity development, proposes a stage-based process that individuals go through as they come to terms with a homosexual identity. The six stages are:
- Identity Confusion: Individuals become aware of same-sex attractions, thoughts, or behaviors, leading to confusion and questioning.
- Identity Comparison: Individuals begin to accept the possibility of being homosexual and compare themselves to heterosexuals and other homosexuals.
- Identity Tolerance: Individuals acknowledge their homosexual feelings and seek out other homosexual people to reduce feelings of isolation.
- Identity Acceptance: Individuals accept their homosexual identity and have more positive contact with the homosexual community.
- Identity Pride: Individuals immerse themselves in the gay community and may reject heterosexual values. There is a strong sense of “us” versus “them.”
- Identity Synthesis: Individuals integrate their homosexual identity with other aspects of their self, leading to a more holistic sense of self.
Cross’s (1971, revised in 1991) Model: Black Racial Identity Development
Cross’s model, also known as the Nigrescence model, describes the process by which Black individuals develop a sense of racial identity. It has been influential in understanding how Black people navigate and challenge systemic racism. The stages are:
- Pre-Encounter: Individuals at this stage have absorbed mainstream, white cultural views and may devalue their own Blackness.
- Encounter: A significant event or series of events challenges the individual’s previous worldview, leading to a reevaluation of their racial identity.
- Immersion-Emersion: Individuals immerse themselves in Black culture and reject white culture. This stage may involve intense feelings of anger and pride.
- Internalization: Individuals develop a more balanced and positive sense of their Black identity. They are able to work with people of other races and have a secure sense of self.
- Internalization-Commitment: Individuals move beyond personal concerns about their own identity to engage in social change and work towards the liberation of Black people.
2. Comparison and Contrast
These models share some similarities in that they all describe a process of moving from an initial state of confusion or unawareness to a more integrated and affirmed identity. They also acknowledge the role of social factors in identity development, such as interactions with dominant and minority groups, and the influence of societal attitudes and stereotypes. Each model posits that individuals go through a series of stages, although the number and specific characteristics of these stages vary. A central theme in all three models is the movement from a place of discomfort, dissonance, or marginalization to a place of acceptance, pride, and self-affirmation.
However, the models also differ in significant ways:
- Focus of Identity: The models focus on different aspects of identity: sexual orientation (Troiden and Cass) and race (Cross). This means that the specific challenges and experiences addressed by each model are unique to the particular identity group.
- Nature of the Stages: While all three models propose stages, the nature of these stages varies. Cass’s model is more linear, suggesting a sequential progression through distinct stages. Cross’s model allows for more fluidity and recycling, with individuals potentially revisiting earlier stages. Troiden’s model emphasizes the influence of social situations and experiences on identity development.
- Role of Social Oppression: Cross’s model explicitly addresses the impact of systemic racism and oppression on Black identity development. While Troiden and Cass acknowledge the role of social stigma and discrimination, they do not focus as heavily on the systemic power dynamics at play.
- Emphasis on Community: Cass and Cross place a greater emphasis on the role of community in identity development. Cass highlights the importance of connecting with the gay community, while Cross emphasizes the significance of immersion in Black culture and community. Troiden, while acknowledging social influences, places more emphasis on individual experiences.
How Each Model Conceptualizes the Identity Process
- Troiden’s model conceptualizes sexual identity development as a process of becoming aware of and accepting one’s sexual orientation through a series of personal experiences and social interactions. It highlights the role of self-disclosure and connection with the LGBTQ+ community.
- Cass’s model views homosexual identity development as a process of resolving the tension between societal expectations of heterosexuality and one’s own same-sex attractions. It emphasizes the need to integrate one’s homosexual identity into a cohesive sense of self.
- Cross’s model conceptualizes Black racial identity development as a process of navigating and challenging systemic racism. It involves a transformation from internalized oppression to racial pride and activism.
3. Application in Social Work
These models provide valuable frameworks for social workers to understand their clients’ experiences and can be applied in various ways in clinical and community interventions:
- Understanding Clients’ Experiences: These models can help social workers understand the unique challenges and experiences faced by clients as they develop their sexual, gender, or racial identities. For example, a social worker using Cass’s model can better understand the confusion and isolation a client may be experiencing as they come to terms with their sexual orientation. A social worker using Cross’s model can recognize the impact of racism on a Black client’s self-esteem and mental health.
