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 what we are taught what to do and what not to do. Although this is something everyone
is taught they all have different meanings such as someone being taught that a certain race is bad
while another being taught that everyone is equal. 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 shaped. Another example is how 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. 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 beliefs.
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, your family may force you to go to church but you start realizing that
what the priest is saying is irrelevant and pointless. 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, 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 as well. Growing up in a
neighborhood where gang related issues are high will completely have a different impact than
those who grow up in a nice peaceful neighborhood. For example, if a group of gang members
were to move in into our neighborhood and they happened to be hispanic, then we would start
viewing all hispanics as gang members when in reality they are not. This ties up to young kids
who experience that because young kids tend to eliminate all the bad from their lives and due to
that, they would then begin eliminating all hispanics 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.