Introduction
If a peer were to ask you, “who are you?” what would you say? How would you respond to this open ended query? You could give them your first name or your last name or both, tell them you are their friend or classmate, you could list your accomplishments, or avoid the question all together. How do you tell a stranger who you are? Well, you introduce yourself to the world all the time.
Your response should reflect what kind of person you think you are. You could tell the stranger what sports you play, what music you listen to and where you are from. In fact, you may have an answer already prepared for such an occasion, although you may not think you have. You simply identify yourself to the other person, as an automatic response.
Your identity is a series of labels you and other people have given you. It is your choice to wear them, and to accept them. Your identity is what defines you, in every aspect of your life. Your personal preferences are a huge part of identity too. You actually have a relationship with your identity. You may or may not want to identify as the person you are. You may or may not want to be the type of person you seem to be to others. The reality does not change based on your feelings.
But can you completely change who or what you are just by answering a question with a spontaneous answer? Identity flows from individualism, which ironically comes from one’s role in group. Changing one's hierarchical position in a crowd of companions is not easy. Really, it’s the familiar faces that have the most influence. Altering yourself and your identity is very hard work. Breaking away from one’s identity and behavior style is hard because they are so much a part of one.
The concept of identity, its definition, meaning, and influence on a person's life is very popular with philosophers, psychoanalysts, writers, and other people who look beyond appearances.
The purpose of this essay is not to analyze the ideas of these numerous thinkers, but to consider my thoughts on identity and its importance in one's life.
Your response should reflect what kind of person you think you are. You could tell the stranger what sports you play, what music you listen to and where you are from. In fact, you may have an answer already prepared for such an occasion, although you may not think you have. You simply identify yourself to the other person, as an automatic response.
Your identity is a series of labels you and other people have given you. It is your choice to wear them, and to accept them. Your identity is what defines you, in every aspect of your life. Your personal preferences are a huge part of identity too. You actually have a relationship with your identity. You may or may not want to identify as the person you are. You may or may not want to be the type of person you seem to be to others. The reality does not change based on your feelings.
But can you completely change who or what you are just by answering a question with a spontaneous answer? Identity flows from individualism, which ironically comes from one’s role in group. Changing one's hierarchical position in a crowd of companions is not easy. Really, it’s the familiar faces that have the most influence. Altering yourself and your identity is very hard work. Breaking away from one’s identity and behavior style is hard because they are so much a part of one.
The concept of identity, its definition, meaning, and influence on a person's life is very popular with philosophers, psychoanalysts, writers, and other people who look beyond appearances.
The purpose of this essay is not to analyze the ideas of these numerous thinkers, but to consider my thoughts on identity and its importance in one's life.