Giamo's Thoughts: Identity

 

What is identity? 

Identity is the characteristics that determine who or what a person or thing is. It is a word that encompasses many different aspects of people's lives. 

Also there are several different types of identities such as cultural identity, professional identity, disability  identity and many others. 

What are some common ways people define their identity? 

I usually associate my identity to others as being a relatively young African American man who works as an online English teacher and who loves creating digital content. 

However there are other people who define their identity in terms of religion such as being a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc. Also there are people who do not define their identity in terms of ethnicity, but rather nationality. 

What does the "expression midlife" crisis mean? 

A midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self confidence that can occur in middle aged individuals, typically 45 to 65 years old. 

Physically as people age they are not able to do the things such as sports, exercise and other activities that they were once able to do which can cause a change in identity. 

Also mentally and emotionally people usually begin to change their perspectives and desires when  they are in the last half of their life. 

It is important to be able to  define your identity to others? 

In general it is not important to be able to define your identity to others. It is not necessary for strangers to know who you are or what you stand for. 

However, there are some situations such as an interview or a first date where being able to define yourself and explain who you are could be advantageous. 

What can destroy a person's identity? 

Failure can definitely destroy a person's identity. For example someone who thought she was a very good mathematician may not consider herself a mathematician if she fails many math tests. 

Also trauma can destroy a person's identity on a physical and emotional level. For example if a man gets into a motorcycle crash he may become physically disabled and he may not decided to identify himself as someone who loves motorcycles.