Identities Essay

There are many things that shape our identities from society, and family to things we learn on our own like experiences. Many struggle to find their identity and struggle between two (or more) identities. Some are very secure with their identities whether it’s their own, a combination of society and theirs, or society’s alone. The question is which one plays a bigger role? I think when we’re young authority figures and society plays a bigger role in life, but as you grow older, and become a teenager (sometimes even adult) the roles switch and your own identiy is the biggest part in your life. For some reason when we are younger society and authority figures (such s parents) play a bigger role in our lives. It probably is because we’re young and innocent, and we’re still learning our own identity. As children grow older, their identities begin to play a bigger role on their lives, and outside influences doesn’t seem to matter, and I believe this happens because with each passing year, more independence is given to the child as their responsibilities grow. Whether we fail or succeed, it’s our own responsibility because we have to live with the consequences of our actions. Self motivation is a big part of succeeding, Malcolm X learned to read Unfortunately, for some people there’s a constant battle between society and you own identity, because they want to please both society and one’s own identity. This becomes a big conflict because sometimes two different views and opinions in how a person should be in life clashes, and cannot mix no matter how much you try. For example, society, especially the media, says a person should be thin and if you’re not then you don’t fit the “mold.” So what happens if you’re big boned, the opposite of what society wants you to be? You suffer from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, depression and a person will do anything to fit in. This is what happened to Alisa Valdes, the author of My Hips, My Caderas. She