Based on all the information I have learned about identity and intimacy, I believe that it is necessary to have formed some sense of identity to have true intimacy. As I stated before, an important aspect of intimacy is the ability to reveal information about yourself to another person. Clearly the adolescent should have understood enough about himself to have information to reveal. Because the function of identity exploration is providing a new basis for identity commitments, one would also expect that identity styles would also predict levels of commitment to intimacy (Kerpelman, 2012). Furthermore, not only do I believe it is possible for a teenager to develop intimacy, I believe it is an essential part of the teenage period in more ways than one. It is very important for teenagers to be able to open up and have close relationships with people other than their parents. Being able to go through this process as teenagers in turn helps in learning about people and the structure of relationships they can form in adulthood. I also believe that intimacy in the form of dating also helps the teen know in terms of what kind of mate they are looking for, what they like and don't like in a potential mate, and essentially what to expect in