Postmodernism and Identity

Postmodernism offers a distinctive perspective on identity that challenges the assumptions of both traditional sociology and modernity. Where modernist sociology understood identity as shaped by structural factors — class, gender, ethnicity, occupation — postmodernists argue that identity in contemporary society has become fluid, fragmented, and a matter of individual choice. This lesson examines the key postmodernist theories of identity, including the work of Giddens, Bauman, and Baudrillard, and evaluates their contributions.

Key Definition: Postmodern identity refers to the idea that in contemporary society, identity is no longer fixed by structural factors but is fluid, multiple, fragmented, and constructed through individual choice, consumption, and media engagement.

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Late Modernity vs Postmodernity

Before examining theories of identity, it is important to distinguish between two related but distinct positions: