Definition Essay on the Term Identity - 1154 Words

English Composition II October 27, 2012 Definition Essay The term â€Å"identity† as the English dictionary defines it is â€Å"the individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized,† however, the dictionary fails to truly capture the word’s meaning. Generally the development of an individual’s identity goes on during his/her childhood, puberty and in most situations it ends at adulthood. Identity is quite difficult to define because it is such an abstract concept. In order to define such a word, it is better to describe factors that are more directly involved with the meaning of a person’s identity. There are specific and important factors such as: social class, culture, family and society. In essays such as, â€Å"Some Lessons†¦show more content†¦They are ubiquitous, having entered the circles of glamour and the mainstream of fashion, and they have even become an increasingly common feature of our urban youth. Legislation in most states restricts professiona l tattooing to adults older than 18 years of age, so high-end tattooing is rare in children and adolescents, but such tattoos are occasionally seen in older teenagers. Piercings, by comparison, as well as self-made or jailhouse type tattoos, are not all rare among adolescents or even among school-age children. Like hairdo, makeup, or baggy jeans, tattoos and piercings can be subject to fad influence or peer pressure in an effort toward group affiliation. As with any other fashion statement, they can be construed as bodily aids in the inner struggle toward identity consolidation, serving as adjuncts to the defining and sculpting of the self by means of external manipulation.† (Martin 388). Tattoos can also become symbols of the individual’s spiritual belief. They are commonly used as links because of the bonding relationship they offer to the individual. Tattoos such as Crosses, the Star of David and the Yin Yang, they all offer the individual a sense of belonging to a greater belief. In today’s world, especially in American society, people tend to be highly materialistic. Perhaps the urge to buy everything could be a disguise for the search of the person’s identity. Just as Quindlen wrote in her article about materialism, â€Å"Here IShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes A Good First Impression?1508 Words   |  7 PagesAn introduction does not need to be long (and should not be), but it is an important part of an essay. A weak introduction can cause readers to lose interest in your essay from the start, whereas a strong introduction will engage your readers and make them want to continue reading. Of course, the introduction is the first part of your essay that your audience will read, and it s important to make a good first impression. This page provides suggestions to help you write strong introductions. Introductions:Read MoreSelf Identity By Anthony Giddens1653 Words   |  7 Pagesthe study seeks some further explanations of the role of identity in the social life of individuals. This essay will investigate issue of self-identity in the modern world according to Antony Giddens’s ideas. Firstly, it will be considered how the concept of self-identity is created in the modern world. After that identities will be explained in terms of Giddens’s opinion. It will be given an overview of the main Giddens’s work on self-identity (Giddens, 1991). Then Giddens’s â€Å"Project of the self† willRead MoreThe Interconnectedness Of Cultural Anthropology And Folk Literature1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe chief concern of this paper is to explore the interconnectedness of cultural anthropology and folk literature. There are many essays that have already shown the interrelationship between folklore and anthropology1. Both these umbrella terms have many things in common but when it comes to folk literature and cultural anthropology, some distinctions become apparent. To say, hence, this paper is different in a sense that instead of dealing with the broad areas of folklore and anthropology, it looksRead MoreWhat Is Identity? Who Defines Such, And How Is It Constructed?1570 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is identity? Who defines such, and how is it constructed? The Oxford English dictionary, describes identity as â€Å"being who, or what a person is, and the characteristics determining who, or what that person is.† But, identity is much more complex than its dictionary definition. Although the word â€Å"identity† is used correctly in everyday discourse, its meaning is not captured by the definition. Identity has a double sense, it can refer to one’s self, a personal identity; but at the same timeRead MoreLiving All My Life Through Kazakhstan And Being A Third Generation Of Ethnic Korean Living Outside The Korea Essay1644 Words   |  7 Pages Living all my life in Kazakhstan and being a third generation of ethnic Korean living outside the Korea, I have never questioned my identity and have never thought how important it can be. On March 1 2013, in the apartment of my older brother, in small town in the north of Kazakhstan, everything was prepared for the celebration of my niece’s first-year birthday that Koreans usually call tol’. Small low wooden table was covered with different subjects symbolizing various good wishes for our littleRead MoreComparing Martin Luther King Jrs Letter from a Birmingham Jail and Amata Millers The Many Faces of Social Justice1387 Words   |  6 Pagesof social justice. One can interpret both of these essays as literature promoting equality and ending issues of racism. However, a thorough analysis of each work indicates that both authors advocate a difference approach in achieving what are similar ends. An examination of the authors respective works indicates that Millers methodology is more applicable to the author than Kings is. King Jr.s definition of social justice within his essay is civic equality between Caucasians and those of AfricanRead MoreWilliam Wordsworth and his not so Spontaneous Overflow of Powerful Changes in â€Å"I wandered lonely as1600 Words   |  7 Pagesbetter suit or reflect the Romantic period. In this essay I will discuss the common characteristics of poetry in the Romantic era from my reading of various professionals’ essays on this subject. I will talk about the impact the changes and additions that Wordsworth made upon reflecting on his writing have on the poem. I will also argue how the revised version of â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud† is an improvement compared to the original version in terms of Romantic poetry and should therefore be the authoritativeRead MoreSexuality, Identity And Media Audiences Essay1567 Words   |  7 PagesAudiences Faith Holloway 300314105 Sexuality, Identity and Media Audiences Drawing upon qualitative audience studies, this essay aims to discuss the extent to which sexuality plays a role in media audience’s identity construction. Furthermore, this essay argues that sexuality is significantly influenced by hegemonic discourse surrounding masculinity and heteronormativity. Foucault eludes to this idea nothing that both â€Å"†¦ the formation of identities and practices are related to, or are a functionRead MoreErving Goffmans Insight on Face- Work in His Essays on Face-to-face Behavior629 Words   |  3 Pagesthroughout literature. On face-work is Goffman’s first essay from his book entitled ‘Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-face Behavior’. It considers the approaches to human interaction alongside five more essays featured in this book and focuses on the concept of the face. His essay on face-work offers an analytic study which explores interaction as a ritual process. It is instrumental in providing a sound understand ing of the definition of face and is a comprehensive insight into basic kindsRead MoreInteraction Ritual by Erving Goffman1369 Words   |  6 Pages ‘On face-work’ is Goffman’s first essay from his book entitled ‘Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-face Behavior’ which was originally written in 1955. It considers the approaches to human interaction alongside five more essays featured in this book and focuses on the concept of the face. His essay on face-work offers an analytic study which explores interaction as a ritual process. It is instrumental in providing a sound understanding of the definition of face and is a comprehensive insight