Abstract An examination of the relationship between ethnicity and identity as understood as basis structures of individual life-worlds. The essay is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to sketching conceptual fieldwork, while the second part deals with the analysis of collected data. Therefore, in the first part, the writer explains the concepts ?identity?, and "ethnicity" and indicates possible ramifications the particular usage of concepts implies. In the second part, identity is discussed as a variable that influences ethnic ideologies one adheres to. In this part he also shows how the level which a particular ethnic group occupies at the stratification level, influences the shape of one's identity. In conclusion, the writer summarizes the findings by suggesting that identity and ethnicity mutually influence each other and they are both complementary expressions of each other.
From the Paper "In the following essay, I am going to locate the focal point of this problem in the one particular community - Highland Park High School. Highland Park is a small town in New Jersey, Middlesex County, where many emigrants from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America are there. At the Highland Park High School, although not apparently seen, the question of identity and ethnic belonging is still a problem among the American youths. While staying a year at Highland Park, I have been thinking a lot about the problems characteristic for the multicultural societies. All the questions I have asked myself may be boiled down to one single question ? namely, whether ethnicity and identity should be treated as interdependent variables, or rather one of them is more fundamental?"
Reviews two articles about identity formation in adolescence: "The Development of the Sense of Self in Adolescence" by A. Blasi and K. Milton and "Styles of Identity Formation in Early and Middle Adolescence" by H. Flum.
Abstract This paper examines and compares "The Development of the Sense of Self in Adolescence" by A. Blasi and K. Milton and "Styles of Identity Formation in Early and Middle Adolescence" by H. Flum, which both explore different adolescent identity styles and how they are formed. The paper points out that both articles are influenced by Erik Erikson's concept of the development of personality during adolescence. The paper also explains that Flum explores styles of identity within the framework of a number of issues, which concern adolescents at different age levels and represent the intrapersonal and interpersonal facets of the adolescent's experience; whereas, Blasi and Milton clarify an adolescent's sense of self, which underlies the experience of their evolving identity.
From the Paper "Flum (1994) results were categorized based on Marcia's ego-identity statuses. These showed whether the participant demonstrated identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, diffused type of moratorium and a less-diffused type of moratorium. The participants who fit into the identify diffusion category showed high external orientation and low decisiveness. The lower SES group had the most extreme cases of identity diffusion. The results for sex differences showed that 8 out of 10 of the extreme identity cases where males. There was no difference found for age for participants with extreme identity diffusion and the extreme non diffusion participants."
This paper looks at the issue of self-expression of identity, focusing on the classroom setting and students with a non traditional sexual orientation or disability.
Abstract This paper explores several educational theories that deal with the formation of individual identity within the context of a classroom. The paper discusses social justice education theories, critical pedagogy theory, and social identity theory and looks at how these theories can help exlplain the development of identity within the classroom, specifically focusing on students with disabilities or a non-traditional sexual orientation. The paper relates that constructing an identity within the context of a classroom is difficult enough, but adding into that a disability or a non traditional sexual orientation makes the process that much more difficult. The paper concludes that several of the theories examined in the paper prove how identity formulation is in some ways hindered within a classroom based on the categories and labels children place upon themselves.
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From the Paper "This is the same concept for students with different sexual orientations; they should first be acknowledged for all of their various identities, and then treated and taught accordingly based on the collaboration of those identities. This type of teaching environment must begin in grade school and continue on into higher education in order to present a solid foundation for these student's identities to grow and flourish all throughout their educational career.
"Children who are forced with a disability have an especially hard time in formulating their own unique identity when compared to physically normal children. Deaf children of all ages suffer a lag in their language and communication skills, which in turn delays their own formation of a conception of a self ..."
Abstract This paper discusses identity theft in terms of its impact, its character and its prevention. In the paper, particular attention is given to the types of primary identity theft classifications, some online methodologies of identity theft and finally, some preventive measures. The paper discusses how identity theft is found to be a massive problem in terms of financial losses to both corporations and individuals and is expected to grow in severity over the next few years.
From the Paper "Identity theft occurs when an unauthorized person obtains another's name and a piece of critical identifying information about that person such as a credit card or bank account number, social security number or driver's license number. With these two pieces of information, someone can open credit card accounts in someone else's name and go on spending sprees for personal items or for things that can easily be sold. When bills are not paid, the delinquent account shows up on that person's credit report. The identity thief can change the mailing address on the victim's credit card account thus delaying the discovery of the theft. The imposter then runs up big bills on the victim's account, and since they are being sent to the new address, one would have no way of knowing any of this was going on."
Abstract This paper addresses broad concepts, such as identity, cultural awareness, cultural communication, social norms, and sustainable global harmony, without compromising detail or completeness. It uses Chapters One through Four of anthropology professor Dr. Fitzgerald's book, "Metaphors of Identity: A Culture-Communication Dialogue", to illustrate the key factors contributing to effective interpersonal and intercultural relations. his paper not only summarizes the ideas in Fitzgerald's book, but also analyzes their content in terms of identity, culture, and anthropological ideals.
From the Paper "In chapter 1 of Thomas Fitzgerald's Metaphors, important concepts such as identity, cultural awareness, and cross-cultural communication are introduced. The prominent theme in this chapter is cultural awareness, which is becoming more and more necessary to create an effective global society. Communication is the key to achieving effective cultural awareness (Fitzgerald 1993: 2). Cultural awareness is actually a broad notion that recognizes and accepts all attitudes, values, social customs, and traditions different from the ones we are accustomed to (Fitzgerald 1993: 1). Additionally, it is essential to recognize minority groups within your own culture, such as the elderly or handicapped, to sustain harmony on a smaller scale."
Abstract This paper discusses the ways in which institutions help to construct social identities. The paper uses various paradigms to consider how identity is constructed in two different settings: a secondary school and a trauma center emergency room. The paper contends that the processes of identity-building is impacted by education, as well as other socializing factors.
From the Paper "Working in the spirit of Goffman's study of the psychiatric clinic and the resulting description of how a social identity is constructed as an evolutionary process dependent in large measure upon the social...."
Abstract This is a paper on the topic of identity theft. The paper explains how hackers use social security numbers to steal a person's identity through the computer.
Abstract This paper describes ways in which scholars link choice of language to personal identity and the social perception of one's identity. It argues that people make deliberate choices to represent themselves in a desirable manner.
Abstract This paper explains the concepts of political identity. The author relates the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Islamic political identity. The paper examines the likelihood of resolution.
From the Paper "Political identity is a difficult concept to grasp because it inherently juxtaposes many different concepts. On the one hand, there is political affiliation, which can depend on economic factors social factors and moral factors. On the other hand, there is the no ..."
Tags: political identity, middle east, arab, jew, israel, palestine, intifada
Abstract In this article, the writer discussed the conception of identity as rooted in interaction with society.
The writer discusses the relevant beliefs of George Herbert, Mead Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann. The writer explains that they all believed that a human being's identity is forged from the interactions they have with society.
From the Paper "George Herbert, Mead Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann all believed that a human being's identity is forged from the interactions they have with society. Mead drew a fundamental distinction between the self which was a person's body and was capable of a limited form of physical intelligence and the I and the Me that form a person's psychic identity. The I and the Me in turn were the dichotomy between an individual's sense of their own identity and the same individual's conception of their interactions with society."
Abstract The topic discussed in this article is identity politics. Essentially, the writer looks at the question of how identity politics drive new social theories like feminism, critical race theory and post-colonial theory. A number of topics are examined ranging from social organization and gender to oppression.
From the Paper "A number of newer social theories have developed that are driven by identity politics. Some of the most important of these social theories are feminism, critical race theory, post-colonial theory, lesbian and gay theory. What all of these social theories share is a new understanding of identity. In African Identities Anthony Appiah states, 'There are, I think, three crucial lessons to be learned from these cases. First, identities are complex and multiple and grow out of a history of changing responses to economic, political and cultural forces, almost always in opposition to other identities'."
Abstract This paper offers two articles on the way companies create a corporate identity strategically. Firstly, it discusses the purchase of the Fido network by Rogers Wireless, then faced with the need to decide how to handle the new entity and secondly, it discusses the need for a new company to create a corporate identity so as to reach the consumer and make the consumer see the product or service as satisfying some need.
From the Paper "Rogers Wireless has purchased Microcell Telecommunications, operator of the Fido network, and is prepared to offer lower prices for cellphone service. Fido is a company with a reputation for lower prices, and so there is a need to protect this brand name and to make use of its image in the marketplace to sell the service at lower cost as Rogers wants. Changing the name to Rogers would not make good use of the existing customer image of the company. From a financial standpoint, cellular technology has become more affordable to a wider range of people. "
Abstract This paper focuses on language as it defines cultural identity. The paper examines the lives of individuals that have experienced a cultural separation from society, discovering their personal and cultural identities through language. The paper then further discusses how school age children develop their attitudes about their lives and the world through the acceptance by society of their cultures and their languages of origin.
From the Paper "Language As a Definition of Cultural Identity Individuals that are born into specific cultures are taught through the practices of the culture how to relate to one another, what is acceptable in society, and what their roles are within the constraints of the cultural system. Just as children comprehend gender specifics from their interactions with parental figures from the time that they are born, culture becomes a significant part of the identity of the child because until socialization with the rest of the world begins with school enrollment, the child understands the world specifically through the culture that he or she is associated with. Language is a significant part of that cultural identity. Regardless of the language, each culture communicates with one another with variations of the proper spoken word, such as through slang, phrases, or abbreviated words."
Abstract This essay critically analyzes what it means to be an American. The author attempts to investigate how the way in which we define ourselves within our racial or ethnic categories affects our identities as Americans.
From the Paper "One's identity and self esteem is constantly being molded by a number of ongoing factors. Culture a factor of many. A persons cultural upbringing predetermines how that specific person will live his or her life. It also determines how that person will respect other cultures, as well as his own. A complex nation is America, and the opinions of Americans can vary greatly. Mary C. Waters relays the concept of ?ethnic options,? which is a term which means the freedom to choose your ethnicity, based on the specific situation. Waters strongly believes that Americans with European ancestry are at a significantly greater advantage over non-Whites in America. Therefore, according to Waters, the ways in which we define ourselves within our racial and ethnic categories, can compliment or vanish our identities as Americans."
Abstract A look at this 19th century school of philosophy, with a focus on three main scholars - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller. All three of these Transcendentalists dealt with the identity of the "self" from different perspectives. The author finds that while they share several key elements - the notion of independence and "entitlement" in thought and action being chief among them?they also diverge on specific applications for the Transcendentalist philosophy.
From the Paper "The American identity has a character and uniqueness all its own, not without obvious cause: never before was such a "grand experiment" of self-rule implemented on such a vast scale. Under the auspices of unprecedented liberty and self-determination, the American consciousness and identity developed with its own flavor and distinction, heavily weighted with the notions of individual freedoms, rights, and responsibilities.
American authors and scholars took that freedom to heart, emerging beyond mere scholarship and letters into the realms of philosophies that influence us to this day. In the nineteenth century, one of the major new philosophical schools of thought in America was the Transcendentalist movement, and a list of its primary "thinkers" now reads like a "Who's Who" of American literature. Among the names on the list are three whose philosophies we will touch on in this essay: Emerson, Thoreau, and Fuller."
