Meaning of identity

Karen Monether Y4126938 TMA01

What is meant by identity?

Identity refers to the construction of individual and society’s characteristics by which we are symbolized and recognised as to who we are. In this assignment I intend to explore the meaning of identity. In considering the link between personal and social, I will examine the process of identity formation, and discuss the extent in which we are able to control and shape our own identities.

The definition of identity has been contested by many social scientists, as it has many influences, which has to be considered, such as, gender, social class, nationality, physical appearances, religious and ethnicity. Initially, we acquire some aspects of identity through official documents, such as birth certificate, where in order to exit, a birth must be registered and categorized by name and gender, which can never be legally changed and influence our entire identity formation, as to the expected manner within feminine and masculine characteristics (Woodward, 2004, p.44). For instance, Madan Sarup uses passports from different stages of his life to convey some aspects of his identity. All three passports reveal his name, gender and categorized him as to what nation he belongs to, which suggests continuity in his identity. Furthermore, the passports also reveal his physical appearance, which changes with age. The question ‘which is the real you?’ by Sarup’s friend, suggests that identities are not fixed but changing over time, as well as our possibility to acquire multiple identities. However, official documents do not portrait our feelings and life experiences, which are also important in the structure of identity. (Woodward, 2004, p.9)

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Identity formation is distinguished by a combination of how I see my self and how others see me, which was explored by a social philosopher, George Herbert Mead in 1930s. Mead argued that identities are formed through the link between individuals and the social world that they live in. He emphasised on our ability to imagine and be self-conscious of how we are seen by others through symbolizing and representing ourselves with the way we dress, the words we use and the way we behave, which suggest the need for an active engagement with one another in order to take up an identity. (Mead, 1934. Woodward, 2004, p.10). By doing so, Judith Williamson suggests that although the symbols that represent us within a particular culture are limited, the ability to visualize and present ourselves enables us to choose our image that we want others to perceive of us, when she says, “When I rummage through my wardrobe… I am not merely faced with the choice of what to wear. I am faced with the choice of images…you will be seen differently… depending what you put on; you will appear as a particular kind of woman with one particular identity which excludes others” (Williamson, 1986, p.91, Woodward, 2004, p.13).

Additionally, Erving Goffman a sociologist focuses on our daily encounters, interactions and conversations, suggesting we take up identities by playing roles which society presents to us through patterns within behaviour, responses and daily routines. For instance, a mother, a student or a doctor are all expected by society to perform according to their role, which gives details of who we are and how we interpreter others and links the personal and social aspects of identity. (Woodward, 2004, p. 14) Moreover, Sigmund Freud theory suggests that the way in which we determine our identity conveys through the unconscious mind by positive or negative repressed feelings from our childhood experiences that can resurface in late life and influence the choices we make, which limits our control over the identities that we take up. However, Freud argues that therapy can help us understand those repressed early childhood experiences and regain agency. (Woodward, 2004, p.17)

Furthermore, identity is marked by personal or social similarities that we share, where we have something in common and identify with other people, as well as by the differences between each other. For example, ‘SO YOU THINK I’M A MULE?’ is a poem written by Jackie Kay who was born in Glasgow to a white Scottish mother and a black Nigerian father. The poem describes an encounter with a white woman who questions Kay’s origin. Despite Kay’s Glaswegian accent and claims to be from Glasgow, the woman outcast her on the basis of skin colour, as she believes that black people cannot be authentic British. This attitude suggests a notion of white superiority over black, which indicates of the uncertainties and diversities that people face in a multicultural and multi-ethnic society. Nevertheless, Kay’s response comes over with certainty as to who she is, who she wants to be and whom she identifies with and belongs to. (Woodward, 2004, p. 33)

In conclusion, the meaning of identity is defined in various ways from various perspectives and, as such, has no widely agreed on meaning. Identity formation is based on the characteristics of individuals and social structure, where we use symbols to link us to the world we live in and to differentiate between those who we identify with and those whom we don’t by imagining and visualizing who we are. We present ourselves to others through everyday interactions and by the roles we take up, which may be influenced by our childhood experiences. Although, the world we live in is structured, which may limits our choices, we can, to some degree, regain agency in shaping our identities through individuals and collective actions.

Word count – 870

References

Question identity: gender, class, ethnicity by Kath Woodward, 2004 The Open University