Self-Identity Questions Paper Example

Question 1: Definition of Identities

Self-identity entails a combination of abilities, interests, hobbies, personality traits and also other physical attributes that help an individual to understand themselves. As it composes of relatively permanent self-assessments, I define my racial identity, ethnic identity, and sexual identity differently. My racial identity is straightforward from the fact that I have a native American background although I have a slight amount of other backgrounds. Thus, I consider myself as just white, and I believe that my race is something I should be proud of and preserve through culture. In defining my ethnic identity, (referring to the ethnic group with which I closely relate with) I can consider myself white and European American. It is characterized by cultural factors which include ancestry, language, and other factors that help deliver a more understanding about an individual.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Regardless of the current events about gender identity, it can correlate with assigned sex at birth which I believe serve as a basis of an individual's social identity which confirms to my gender identity as a being a male. Although gender identity and sexual identity are much different, the terms could be used interchangeably in self-identity as some people may be bi-gender. In defining my sexual identity, it could be referred to as sexual orientation which may identify an individual's view and attraction to a given gender. I describe myself as a heterosexual individual since I find attraction to individuals of my opposite gender; however, I also define my sexual orientation as "straight" adding to my sexual identity.

Nonetheless, I am not living with any disability. In consideration to the economic class, I define my economic level as the middle class. It is because the class entails individual's members earning money through involving in professional jobs which elaborate best on my economic identity and class as it relies on an individual's social position. On the other hand, in defining my national identity, I am a US citizen as per the requirement of the social security number (SSN). Also, my immigrant status defines me as a United States Citizen. My family embraces cultural roles and activities which delivers a particular chain of things that one believes about culture and religion. I define my religious identity as a Christian since I come from a believing family which I think is also represented by the cultural practices. With these operative aspects of my personality, they are essential to me since they help elaborate more and create a broader understating about my self-identity to myself and other people.

Question 2

In defining my identities, some of the identities were easy for me. These identities include my gender identity, sexual identity, and also my religious identity. It is because a majority of these identities not only deliver an intellectual knowledge regarding an individual but also portray on the some of the physical attributes of an individual, in the long run, irrespective of the current happening regarding any of them. I had not thought of any of them as a result of various occurrences. For instance, I had never thought of my gender identity and sexual identity since I believe both as physically visible. Although people may differ, I believe an individual's status is best explained by observing both physical and other attributes.

Question 3

Recently, the perception regarding self-identity of an individual is shifting not to the negative but better developments and understanding. On numerous occasions, some parts of my identity have been made visible to me through different actions and have significantly delivered more benefits. The situation involves one of my visits to an airport where the authority gave me a flying discount for being a US citizen, and in a similar station, a guard allowed a lady to jump the line because of her gender identity. Although there might be few cases of marginalization, the situation has rarely occurred to me. In one of the situations where I gained benefits, I believe I acquired the benefit because of my ability to interact with other people.

On the other hand, I have encountered a few cases of marginalization. Marginalization mainly occurs within different identities (such as gender identity, economic class, and cultural identity). In one of the specific instances portraying marginalization, I was marginalized because of my gender identity as a lady was allowed to jump line irrespective of a given notice. However, in the situation, some of the occurrences reflected on institutionalized privilege.

Question 4

Self-identities play a significant in expanding and elaborating more on an individual's orientation and gives a more understanding concerning the different personalities and personal attributes. With a proper understanding of oneself, it shapes the perspective of an individual regarding various occurrences. Correspondingly, these identities and experiences have shaped my perception of interaction with other people. Because people may not always understand each other as quick as one may expect, recognizing the personal identities helps create a favorable environment for interaction. I can view people concerning their personalities and interact with them effectively which builds long-lasting relationships.