The Ever-Endless Self Reflection Paper

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Recommended: Personality theories chapter 11

Infinite Minds, One Body: A Reflection on the Ever-Evolving Self Philosophers have been pondering the idea of personal identity for thousands of years. Yet there is no general consensus on what truly makes us who we are, be it a soul, the sum total of all our experiences, or something else. Personally, I would suggest socialization at home and at school has the greatest impact on personal identity. However, keep in mind that I do not have thousands of years of philosophical theory to aid my argument, only twenty years of life experience (the first few of which I had to spend in diapers). Socialization enables us learn to about others, borrowing what we have learned helps us form our identity. One’s personal identity is not simply something we use to distinguish ourselves form others; it is …show more content…

While still in grade school, there were times when I would have to forgo buying school supplies so I could buy groceries. Without financial security, choice regarding education becomes limited and the ability to focus in school is diminished. It was difficult to remain fully engaged in lessons when I knew the banks were about to foreclose on our home. The circumstances surrounding the financial hardship I experienced gave me perspective. I was able to appreciate how much more complicated getting an education becomes when basic needs are not being met. This difficult time in my life made me realize how privileged I am and how that privilege helped created a healthier educational environment for myself. Personal identity is a complicated and ever-changing feature of the human experience. Race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other static characteristics create the foundation for personal identity, but shifting factors like mental health and socioeconomic status play an equal role in defining who someone is. These factors, along with educational institutions, promote an ever-evolving

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