How Is Gender Identity Influenced by Social Structures Essay

What is meant by identity? Firstly this essay is going to explore what is meant by identity. Identity is made up of individual characteristics by which a person is known. Internal factors such as physical appearance, personality, mental ability and sex would have an affect on a persons identity. Then there are the external factors such as family, class, religion, culture, occupation and nationality which would influence ones identity. Then, even beyond all these personal and social structures, societal opinions about gender, race, culture, ethnicity and nationality must have an impact on identity. Many attributes of identity are formed from childhood experience, adolescence, early adulthood and are ever forming. Identity can†¦show more content†¦Women on the other hand can wear trousers, jackets and even ties and this is considered completely normal. The same can be said for make-up and hairstyle. Traditionally, woman generally had long hairstyles and men had short hair, but nowadays many women have short boyish cuts and men are even growing their hair long. It is still very rare to find men wearing make-up unless they are cross dressing. There is also genetic evidence which can be used to differentiate between men and women. This is done with a DNA test, which in women would present two X chromosomes and in men one X and one Y chromosome. Generally people would only have two sex chromosomes, but on the rare occasion there have been people with more than two, and in these cases they could be defined either way, male or female. There are many aspects to identity, and there are several dimensions to each of these aspects. Culturally, where we come from, different religions, beliefs and values that we may have. Class, our economic background, education and the lifestyle we have. Occupation and Income. Life experience and upbringing. Change. Biology and Genetics. Society. All the factors that make up a persons identity are so complex and often intertwined, it is impossible to any one of them, but all are ever changing and always developing, which is why the identity of a person is always changing and forming. Word Count: 595 In what ways can occupation and employmentShow MoreRelatedSexuality Is A Social Identity That Goes Beyond The Objectivity1636 Words   |  7 PagesSexuality is a social identity that goes beyond the objectivity of the title and into the subjective scope of the personal lives of individuals, which in turn fabricate the social constructivism of a nation. Classism, heterosexism, and cisgenderism are further reinforced within the institutionalization of heteronormativity, being the promotion of the gender binary and heterosexuality as the only valid form of gender expression and sexual orientation. 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