Haro, Guillermo

English 114B
Jennifer Rodrick
3/16/16
The Space Around Us is Us
What is identity? Many argue that is our personality but others will say that identity is
the behavior of a person in regards to their surrounding or space. But according to webster's
dictionary, identity is who we are what we are. Many people always wonder who they are and
what they are in the world for. To answer this question, they go on a hunt. The hunt for their
identity. According to an article, it states , In regards, identity is shaped into an individual
through the social trials of life that involve family and peers, the religious beliefs by the practice
of certain faiths, and cultural awareness through family history and traditions. These are what
shape the identity of an individual. Although identity is who we are by the choices we make,
identity is shaped with the help of society such as , religion, community, and family.
We are born into this world not knowing anything but the mumbles of da da and mama.
As we get older, we are taught many things by our family. Children develop their sense of self
from the environment in which they grow up. Usually, the family environment plays a large role
in shaping the identity of children as they grow into adolescence and become adults. The way
family members relate to one another and operate together as a social group can shape a child's
self-esteem, socialization, and cultural identity. The things that shape us can be simple things
such as on what we are taught on what to do and what not to do. Although this is something
everyone is taught they all have different meanings. Our parents are the ones that define what
those things are. For example, my parents taught me that everyone is the same and should be
treated equally. In another home a kid may be taught that mexican and black people are bad. This
ofcourse impacts how our identity is shape. Another example is children who grow up without a

father or mother figure tend to become more independent at an early stage. Another example is if
your parents argue a lot it can cause ones identity to be confined and distant. But on the other
hand, some people shape their identity similar to their parents such as a son following the
footsteps of his father or mother in pursuing the same career. Finally siblings are also an impact
to your identity because they can either shape you into becoming someone good or shape you
into becoming someone bad .According to the article, Identity Profiles in Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Youth: The Role of Family Influences, it states, both found that adolescents and
young adults who experience parental rejection have lower self esteem. Furthermore, adolescents
who perceive support from parents have been found to have increased global self worth,. This
indicates that those with families that are supportive with their choice of sexuality increases their
esteem while on the other hand those who are not decreases their self esteem. Overall this not
only shapes who you are but also shapes your believes.
Religion is a major key to someone's identity. Family influences religion hugely. The
religion the family praises or believes in impacts how children view their own religion and other
religions. For example family may force you to go to church but you realize that what the priest
is saying really gives no sense or meaning into your believes. This ofcourse has a negative
impact towards your view on religion. Friends with or without religious beliefs can influence
others into believing a similar view. Whether they want to impress or they respect a person that
may influence spiritual beliefs. Media's portrayal of religions can impact strongly onto a person's
beliefs as the media is a strong influence and can frame or shape certain perceptions. For
example if a show is on such as Ellen and she promotes Buddhism for example, then those who
are a big fan of a Ellen may shift their beliefs towards buddhism. In the article , Religious
Identity and Family Ideologies, it states, Evangelical Protestants are expected to be more

opposed to premarital sexuall activity, nonmarital cohabitation, abortion, divorce, and

feminsim,. This states that those who are from the Evangelical group are tend to have different
views on what another religion might believe. This ofcourse shapes who we are because in other
people's eyes we might be seen as monsters for accepting abortions but in reality we are just
normal human beings expressing who we are.
Our neighborhood and our community shape who we are. Growing up in a neighborhood
where gang related issues is high will completely have a different impact than those who grow
up in a nice peaceful neighborhood. For example, if a group of latinos or blacks were to move
into my neighborhood and they were criminals then of course I would view them in a frightened
form. This ties up to young kids who experience that because young kids tend to eliminate all the
bad from their lives. They would then begin eliminating all latinos and black because they are
criminals. In the article, Racial Identity and Academic Achievement in the Neighborhood
Context: A Multilevel Analysis, the author states, Youth in neighborhoods with low economic
opportunity may make race-related attributions; that is, they could reason that limited
opportunities exist because of discrimination against African Americans, or because of the
abilities, skills, or work ethic of African Americans. This explains how not only are we viewing
those people with low incomes differently, we are discriminating them and labeling them in
regards to their race. We are beginning to label the economic class in a sense of a race based
platform. Not only are we labeling discriminating the racial identity of a human we are
discriminating who they are.
Many may argue that we have the choice into follow what we believe in and they're right.
We do have a choice in what we do. But if that's the case why do we still let our surrounding
influence who we are. Humans are becoming something they aren't because they want to be

accepted within their society. Why do they do that? Well studies show that it is easier to join in
than stand out. That means that it is easier to change up to fit in that to fit in with who you really
are. On one hand, we come into this world not knowing anything of social structures so we grow
accustomed to them. On the other hand develop who we are by making decisions in those
situations. According to the article, Do we Choose Our Identity, the author states, The
degree to which we choose our identity, versus having it imposed on us via external influence, is
arguably a matter of consciousness and awareness. When we are unaware of the power of
external influence we are akin to pieces of clay, being unconsciously moulded to fit into the
accepted or preferred norms of someone elses reality. When we are aware we can take
responsibility for the creation of our identity. We have say in what and who we are but when we
are unaware of the circumstances and we want to fit in, the society changes who we are. This
ofcourse is something that is happening to many kids going to school that are trying to fit in with
the crowd. This states that even though we have choices the society overpowers who we are
which controls our identity.
Identity is shaped with the help of society such as , religion, community, and family.
Who we are is based upon what surrounds us such as our communities and or family. Although
we do have a say in what we want to believe we tend to stick to what the norms within the
society is. For example going to school can be hard because of adjustment but if you want to fit
in you will change who you are. Although we do have a say, the spaces around us over power
us.

Work Cited
Bregman, Hallie, Neena Malik, Matthew Page, Emily Makynen, and Kristin Lindahl. "Identity
Profiles in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: The Role of Family Influences." Journal of Youth
and Adolescence, 42.3 (2013): 417-430.

Byrd, CM, and TM Chavous. "Racial Identity and Academic Achievement in the Neighborhood
Context: A Multilevel Analysis." Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38.4 (2009): 544-559.

Pearce, Lisa D, and Arland Thornton. "Religious Identity and Family Ideologies in the Transition
to Adulthood." Journal of Marriage and Family, 69.5 (2007): 1227-1243.