What is identity? ‘The fact of being whom or what a person or thing is.’

Identity is difficult to fully explore as many factors that add together to create a person’s identity. For example genetics are a huge aspect that create an identity such as their eye colour, hair colour etc. these are all parts of our identity we are given and are not chosen. However, one of the complexities of identity is that we can change these parts of our identity by dying our hair, wear contact lenses, even chose to identify as a different sex. This complicates ‘identity’ as we can pick and choose parts of our identity as we go through life, meaning out identity is ever changing.

As well as genetic factors, your interest such as: gym, being a movie fanatic, a foodie etc. Or your current life status for example: single, married, student, your job title etc. All create ones identity. There are so many factors that add up to make a person’s identity that it is not just one simple thing, this is why identity is so complex. This brings me onto the area of ‘Uniqueness,’ is everyone unique? Or are we all the same? My personal opinion is that everyone is unique however, we can have similar identity traits which make us as humans similar and be able to related and form relationships and bonds. But no one is exactly the same, as we all go through different life experiences to make up our identity.

Identity can be portrayed negatively such as your race/ethnicity, religion, gender, disability etc. this can make people be ashamed or question their identity, also leading to some not regarding certain traits as part of their identity. One area of my identity that’s received negativity is my gender. Being a woman and a feminist receives many negative connotations due to the way feminist are portrayed in the media. The media coverage that is given to feminists tends to be of those who are extremists.

Identity in my opinion isn’t a huge factor to my life, my identity changes every day when I gain new interests or there are changes in my life such as my status. However I do understand why aspects that make up someone’s identity could be important to them.

Overall identity is huge area and there are so many factors that make up our identity traits, that it is not a simple answer to explain what identity is. But what we do know is that everyone’s identity is personal to them and no two identities will be the same.