How culture has influenced my Identity Identity
Introduction
We are the product of our societies and cultures, so they say. We are the way we are because of the cultural norms and values that our cultures defined and projected. Culture is a combination of values, beliefs, and practices of a particular group (Brewer & Yuki, 2007). The culture that each person lives define how that person dresses, talks, behaves, and presents the guidelines on what is acceptable and normal. Identities are often unique and specific for each individual. That beinIdentityidentity differs from one person to the next creating a chance that the society a person lives in won’t be fully accommodating. The cultural and social forces that help in shaping our identities are not neutral and instead operate as a powerful lens through which we judge ourselves and others. Culture, on the other hand, may pass judgment, which in turn will make the individual question their identity and self. The person will either use the cultural judgment to redefinIdentityidentity in another dimension or strengthen their already established sense of self. The culture strongly influences identity. Culture affIdentityidentity based on three main factors: Identityidentity, direct and observational learning, and integration and assimilation.
According to Brewer & Yuki (2007), the social identity theory explains how people create and define their place in society. Moreover, a social identity is engraved in an individual and is brought about by the experiences and relationships we have with other individuals or groups, put, the culture. I have been brought up in a culture that values men more than women. The persistence of patriarchy in the Arab countries is usually an obstacle for most women, which without prejudice affects their position in society. Ever since I was a kid, I have grown seeing men dominate in my society. This gender stereotype greatly influenced my perception of women, and even though I am borne of a woman, the idea that women are way inferior to men plagued my mind. The United States has greatly put forth measures on equal rights preservations for both genders. And every day, I wonder whether the rights and freedoms that women enjoy in America today will ever happen in my country or any other Arab country. I don’t feel superior to a woman by choice, and it’s out of a feeling that I can’t control, one that I assimilated from my culture. On a rational note, I value the position of the woman in my life and society at large and do think that both women and men should be treated fairly. But I am left on the crossroad sometime; I was brought up in a culture that thought otherwise. And as earlier stated, I am the product of my culture.
Enculturation is the process by which an individual learns the characteristics of another culture either through direct or observational learning and gradually acquires the values and norms appropriate in that culture (Kim, 2007). The main contributing faEnculturationturation is globalization, which has made the world more connected than before. It was initially hard to see a Christian in this country some years back, but thanks to globalization, we have many Christians working and living in the UAE than we had before. I am a staunch Muslim who believes only on the principles and precepts of the Islam faith. In recent years, however, I’ve interacted with several Christians, with one being a best friend now. We often discuss matters regarding our religions, and in some instances, I came to realize that there is nothing wrong with Christianity. We share a lot of principles. My friend has made me enjoy listening to Christian sermons, and even though I am not a Christian convert, I often accompany him to the Church. Through direct and observational learning, I’ve come to appreciate Christianity even though I remain a Muslim faithful.
Acculturation is the process by which one culture is assimilated into another, typically the dominant one (Kim, 2007). There has been a lot of integration in the UAE with many people from the western countries who visit this country for business and tourism purposes. During the interactions, a lot of ideas and views are exchanged. Also, through modern technology we are enjoying today, it has become easier for western behaviors to be adopted quickly. I am an Arab by birth, and the first words that I remember my parents speaking to me were Arabic. Everything surrounding me was being addressed in Arabic, and that’s how I identified myself with the Arabic language. In a broader note, Arabic is the official language in UAE. However, education exposed me to English, a language from the west. I learned how to speak and write in English, and today, I often make mistakes when speaking and writing in Arabic than I do in English. I fully assimilated the English language, and it has now become part of me even when Arabic is my native language. Due to the influx of Americans, English men, and Africans, UAE is now a multicultural society and partially if not fully assimilated the English language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, culture affIdentityidentity based on three main factors: Identityidentity, direct and observational learning, and integration and assimilation. This is evident from my accumulated views on gender, perception of Christianity, and my use of the English language. Thus, the power of choice and identity is greatly affected by the culture that we live in. Men are in the highest realm of authority in a society based on what culture has taught me, and I choose to believe so. But on the other hand, my learnings about Christianity has greatly shifted my identity because I choose to interact and learn from my Christian friend. I would say that I chose to learn English because I found it in the system. However, still, the choice of my society, education, and other systems have greatly influenced my identity with the English language.
References
Brewer, M. B., & Yuki, M. (2007). Culture and identity. Handbook of cultural psychology, 307322.
Kim, B. S. (2007). AcculturatEnculturationturation. Handbook of Asian American psychology, 2, 141-158.