Elements Of My Identity

Identity is not present from birth nor can be received like a gift wrapped in parchment and shiny ribbons. Each person has created their own peremptory identity, and each day their identity grows with little bits artfully pulled together. As a mother bird collects sticks and leaves for her nest, a person brings together new bits and pieces to be added to their identity. Indeed, identity is not tangible yet is exhibited by what that person wears, what music they listen to, or how they wear their hair. Although, race and social status contribute to a person's uniqueness; noticeably, identity is created through personal experiences and knowledge.

Outside influences have a strong capability to influence and alter our personal identity. Both directly and indirectly, the social contexts in which we live can change the way we think and feel, and by extension how we interact with other people and places. Immediate family, friendship groups and the physical environment are all factors which contribute to our ever changing perceptions of ourselves. Sometimes personal identity can be subtly reshaped over a gradual time frame, as our sense of who we are is modified without personal recognition that we are changing. At other times we may be able to notice our personal identity changing, through important life decisions.

A horizontal identity consists of traits that parents seem to find strange due to the fact that the traits are acquired by an individual’s peer group. Some horizontal identities reflect recessive genes, random mutations, prenatal influences, or values and/or preferences a child does not share with his or her parents or ancestors (Solomon, 2012, p. 2). Nevertheless, these identities tend to be viewed as flaws. Knowledge, competence, and actions would be demanded from the rest of the family of the child with the marked difference (Solomon, 2012, p. 4). However, a vertical identity includes traits that are influenced by parents. Not only are aspects of a vertical identity biological and passed down through generations, but they are also shared through cultural norms (Solomon, 2012). On the contrary, vertical identities are considered to be accepted than horizontal identities. This is because

Philosophers from ancient Greece and Rome to modern scholars have contemplated what defines one’s identity. Everyone is a product of both their heredity and environment, and this is demonstrated in modern texts and podcasts. Individuals have limited control on their environment, actions of others, and genetics; however, memories and experiences influences how people behave and act.

Each obstacle and failure I encountered led me to be the person who I am today; the person who hides the bruises and scars of my childhood with an enormous smile that glows as if light could counteract darkness. My insecurities, struggles with low self-esteem, and failed attempts in my life must be swallowed and sealed so that I have the opportunity to pursue my life dream: being one of the first in my family to say, “I attended and finished

‘In the age of globalization and of the ever-accelerating intermingling of elements in which we are all caught up, a new concept of identity is needed, and needed urgently. We cannot be satisfied with forcing billions of bewildered human beings to choose between excessive assertion of their identity and the loss of their identity

Defining identity can be complex and therefore we have to investigate the factors involved that make us who we are and how we are seen by others, collectively or individually. Social scientists have to consider the key elements which shape identity, the importance of social structures and agency involved. The differences and/or similarities between us are the focus that categorise and label us in society. Knowing who we are is important for many reasons including, social rights, obtaining a passport, housing, health, employment, marriage, and over all, being able to ascertain who we are, and belong.

Our identity can sometimes be shaped by the way others see us. As we have seen, the way in which others view us can have some sort of impact on how we see ourselves. There are also other contributing factors such as our years of adolescence, the basic human need of wanting to belong and maturing; all play an equally important part in the forming of our character and who we are. On balance it appears that there is not only one influence in the shaping of our identity, but there are many.

What is identity? A person’s identity can be established over the course of life. Family, Society, acquaintance, and personal interest are what shapes identity. For example, growing up with a family can impact a person’s responsibility and sense of interest. It can also impacts a person’s maturity. Friends and society can impact a person’s style in dressing or social activities. In life, we cannot determine what happens or controls it. Our decision making can impact our identity though. The common factors that help people search for identity are ethnicity, environment, and gender.

What is identity? When someone speaks of identity one might think of your action, habits, character, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or gender. However, when I think of identity, I think of where you come from and the things you learn that shape you into the person that you are today. I think identity is a collection of memories and interactions that we share with the people we encounter in our lifetime. I also believe your identity is something you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your life. My family plays a big part in the person I am today. My great-grandmother was the woman who practically raised me. "She is without a doubt one of the most influential people in my life;" she taught me many life lessons at

Studies in social sciences offer other important insights about identities. Lemke (2008) presents five interesting perspectives on identities that can help us understand their relationship to beliefs and emotions. First, identities are multiple. It means that we behave differently in different situations (formal and informal) and settings (professional and intimate) and with different people (children or peers). Second, identities are multi-faceted and dynamic, they develop and change as who we are is constructed within the limitations of our interactions in different settings in our lives with different people. Third, identities are hybrid. Thus, sometimes we should act in more normalized ways than we would like to since there are some contradictions

Many factors can determine one’s identity. This can include, family, friends, and even the environment one lives in. However, I believe the one thing that contributes most to one’s identity is their past experiences. Past experiences can ultimately change the way someone sees themselves and how other people view them. What people tend to go through

As time flashed before my eyes, I have grown to love the person I have become. However, I cannot take all the credit when it comes to how I had the ability to define who I am. Specific authorities who have been directly or indirectly in my life have played a part in helping me see who I am and who I can become as time progresses. As of today, I have the confidence to say that I am ambitious, a role model, devoted, an African American woman and a family person. My identity is important to me because I want to be the individual who is remembered as the one who did everything in her power to be different from those she grew around. I don’t want to be remembered as one of those Fort Wayne girls who became pregnant at a young age because sex was more important than using the resources available to better one’s own future. Also, I want to be remembered as one of those individuals who would rather stay in the house and study than party every weekend. I work my hardest each and every day to earn grades that will make those who believe in me proud and I want my actions to reflect it. Most people may feel that an identity does not matter nor has an importance in life, but I believe it is the most important thing to develop over time. An identity separates you from others around you. It makes you different and it can either benefit or destroy the person you are. Your identity does not just come in one day, but it is a lifelong progress that

People’s multiple identities are given by their similarities and differences, and their connections with others.’ [1] When considering identity it is import to look at the elements that contribute to the idea of identity. Identity elements range from situational reasons, which can just be temporary to identities based on personal characteristics such as racial, gender and age, which are a constant. Identities of class, place, race and ethnicity vary within context but are difficult to separate, as they are very relational. For

In general we differentiate between two “kinds” of identity. On the one hand there is the so called social identity, which stresses self-interpretation as a member of a certain social group and on the other hand there is the personal identity, which puts it´s emphasis on individuality and distinctiveness. This distinction is widely known as “patchwork-identity”. Both identities are only a subgroup of many different subjectively interpreted identities that everyone of us has innate.