Who Am I Essay Example for Free

I tend to conform to culturally and socially prescribed gender roles to the extent that I learn the type of work a woman does, and her role in the society. It has shaped how I feel, think and behave in a way that I know how males and females have to fit in the society. Similarly, culturally and socially prescribed gender roles have influenced how I ‘do’ being a daughter in a way that I became aware of the individual stereotypes within the society. Culture has changed how I perceive my role within the family unit in a manner that I know what I am supposed to do as a woman. Besides, I did experience stigma in regards to ethnicity because people view my lifestyle as not the norm. The stigma affected how I think, feel and behave in a way that I became cautious of what I do or say around others.

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My life experiences have enabled me to empathize with people in particular situations. For example, one of my friends at school suffered severe criticisms because of his race. Over time, I learned to understand his feelings because we were in accord. Personally, I think other people perceive me as impartial. It shapes how I feel, behave, and think in a way that I learn how to act differently towards different people. As well, religion shapes how I feel, think, and behave. Leary & Tangney (2012, p.73) affirm that religious identity, which has relevant content and goals, help to shape identity and self-concept. However, political persuasions never affect my ability to think, feel, or behave because I believe in my views and affiliations.

In my entire life, I have always had the determination to succeed. I set my priorities and goals right to enable me to achieve success. However, in life, I have experienced some ‘isms,’ particularly, racism. It shaped my sense of self-identity in a way that I became lenient to racial problems and types of diversity to survive. Even so, Tatum (n.d, p.4) asserts that a subsidiary group has to focus on survival in a situation of unequal power. For me to survive, I believe that my sensibility, empathy, confidence, health, motivation, trustworthiness, and high self-esteem as well as self-belief will guide me through the way.

Bibliography

Leary, M.R., and Tangney, J.P. 2012. Handbook of Self and Identity. Second Edition. New York: The Guilford Press.

Tatum, B.D. n.d. The Complexity of Identity: “Who Am I?” Retrieved from http://www.whiteprivilegeconference.com/resources/05-The-Complexity-of-Identity-Beverly-Tatum.pdf