WHO I AM

How do I know who I Am?

Table of Content

Introduction1

Discussion1

An Individual's learning of Socio-Demographic Variables1

Influencers through Which My Identity Learning Evolved2

Role of Family3

Role of Father3

Role of Society4

Television and Media4

Role of Peer Group5

Role of School5

Influence of Socio-demographic Learning5

Conclusion6

How do I know who I am?

Introduction

The above topic is about my knowledge of how I know who I am, how my understanding of socio-demographic variables such as class, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation evolved and their influence on my identity development. Additionally, the topic discusses the ways through an individual learn these socio-demographic variables in general.

In the United States, cultural factors such as ethnicity, gender and social class demonstrate the association of an individual to specific cultural group of people such as white Americans. Differentiation in ethnicity, gender and social class serves as the salient features through which people view the differences in individual or a group of people. These variables, collectively defines the identity of an individual. Considering any of these in isolation, will not reflect the natural identity of most people. Multicultural counseling uses the intersection of ethnicity, gender and social class to recognize the experiences of individuals related to various issues.

Another variable of socio-demographic variables, that serves as the understanding of behavior and attractiveness to an individual is sexual orientation. This refers to an individual's sense of self and social identity based on certain factors such as attraction, behaviors and communal identity within a society.

Discussion

An Individual's learning of Socio-Demographic Variables

The simplest way through which an individual gets awareness about socio-demographic variables such as ethnicity, class, gender and sexual orientation is personal experience. These variables are the cultural values and beliefs of an individual which people learn through experiences as they move in the different stages of life. These experiences are innate in the society to which the individual belongs. Similarly, an individual learns the differences of values through interaction with different groups. These differences serve as the identifiers of different groups of people. Personal experience is one of the several factors through which the message of class, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation gets delivered in an individual. Another influential factor is historical evidences, which provide the bases of our values and beliefs. Socio-demographic development is an ongoing process; our learning develops as we face the different experiences of life. Such as, our learning develops as we interact with different individuals in the society (Marger, 2011).

The dynamic nature of culture results due to the change in individuals preferences. Individual's preferences shape the socio-demographic variables as he/she grows-up and interact with people in the society. Society plays a vital role in shaping one's cultural beliefs. It helps us in developing our identity and explores our role in society. Sense of self and social identity can also be understood by the societal norms, as many societies specify the gender roles particularly. These roles vary from society to society. Some societies have strictly defined gender roles whereas some have ...