Does Identity Formation Affect Our Identities?

“Identity formation is itself a process shaped by political, economic, and cultural forces that come together and mutually constitute one another in distinctive and dynamic ways” (Sanchez, 2006, pg. 35). There are many factors which play into our identities and which work together to construct our identities, from a personal and societal standpoint. Several factors which contribute to our identities include: position, positionality, identity, and identification. In order to better understand these concepts, we will examine each of these constructs through definition and application of personal experiences.
The first component of identity we will examine is positioning. We are positioned within a society based upon various aspects of our identity, including: race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation. According to Sanchez (2006), this position is affected by economic, political, and culture structures. This means that not only do we exist based on our own characteristics such as gender, race, and sexual orientation; we are also positioned by the laws and authority which govern our society, culture, and economic status.
Her position in society would be determined by the following factors: female, white, straight, and dependent. She relies upon insurance and family to ensure her needs are met. Sanchez (2006) states that the state can define social status through labeling and identification. Due to impaired cognitive function, she is considered dependent; reliant upon others to provide financial and medical decision-making. The state has taken away her ability to make decisions and provided that right to her family due to cognitive impairment. Her position within society is determined and affected by all of these factors and due to her dependent status, could change depending on changes in state laws and