Identity Sovereignty in Childhood

Sor Juana navigated multiple, sometimes contradictory identities—nun, intellectual, woman, Mexican Creole—claiming space for each within her life and work. Identity sovereignty for children means recognizing that young people are not blank slates to be written upon by adults, but emerging selves with legitimate claims to self-definition. This concept protects children's right to explore gender expression, cultural heritage, religious belief, and personal values without coercion into predetermined roles. Through Sor Juana's lens, we see that institutional forces—schools, families, religions, states—often demand conformity and suppress authentic selfhood. Children's rights must include protection for their evolving identities, especially those that challenge conventional expectations. This means listening to children's self-descriptions, validating their experiences, and resisting the impulse to correct or erase who they understand themselves to be.