Family Heritage and Its Impact on Individual Identity
Does family heritage influence an individual’s identity? There are many ways to look at this question, but it is correct that family heritage influences an individual’s identity; this statement is supported by the fact that the background and upbringing of an individual affect the character and behaviour of the individual. According to Ward, 244, the research carried out on adolescents illustrated that the adolescent’s family heritage influenced their individual identity. Subsequently, family heritage influences the identity of individuals despite their age. Therefore, family heritage influences an individual’s identity in relation to culture, language, and self-knowledge.
I have witnessed firsthand the influence family heritage has on an individual’s identity. Growing up, I had several friends, all with different family backgrounds. Some were extroverts, while others were introverts, and their levels of expression varied based on the same. Subsequently, they had the introverted nature of those with overprotective parents that they still possessed even into adulthood. On the other hand, the extroverts, with lenient parents, quickly spoke out on things they disagreed on, a character they have to date. The native language that they spoke also influenced their identity in that the use of the native language at home led to the development of accents, which never cleared away. The cultures they practised with their family also influenced who they grew up to be. These fundamental differences in their characteristics illustrated how their family background influenced their individual identities as grown-ups.
Family cultural heritage influences individual identity. In Giovanni’s “Mothers,” “I taught it to my son, who recited it for her,” the main character and the mother had a culture whereby the mother sang the character a song, a culture she shared with the son. The family tradition whereby the mother would sing the character a song every time influenced the character to identify with a song as a cultural activity. Subsequently, the character felt the need to pass on the activity to the son, who later performed it for the grandmother. Subsequently, the song is taught to pass a message of the advantages of learning to pass both good times and bad times of the past, illustrating the influenced individual identity. It also illustrates the impact of language on an individual’s identity as the song was sung in English, and therefore, the son’s English would improve grammatically. Therefore, the family cultural heritage influences individual identity
In Meinke’s “Advice to my son,” the influence family heritage has on individual identity is apparent. The main character writes a letter to the son advising him on how to live his life; it is written, “The trick is, to live your day as if each one may be your last.” The father passes over his experiences and knowledge to his son, hoping that the son will follow the advice. Subsequently, if the son were to follow the advice, his identity would be altered because the main character’s advice would influence the son’s preferences, practices, and behaviour. The writer’s opinions would influence the behaviours and characters of the individual. Accordingly, the advice would influence the son’s self-knowledge and culture; additionally, the son would pass this knowledge to others. The impact would influence the identity of many people.
In Walker et al., “Everyday Use,” the impacts of family heritage are evident. The younger daughter, Maggie, felt inferior and uncomfortable in the presence of her older sister, who was well put together, unlike her. It is illustrated in the phrase, “Maggie will be nervous until after her sister goes: she will stand hopelessly in corners, homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs, eying her sister with a mixture of envy and awe.” Additionally, it illustrates how her family heritage influenced Maggie’s identity. Additionally, the mother’s preference for the older daughter influenced the timid reactions of the younger daughter. Moreover, the mother’s self-knowledge leads her to adore her daughter, Dee, while Maggie is influenced negatively. Subsequently, Dee’s identity is influenced by the right personal traits, such as confidence, while Maggie’s characters are influenced by negative traits, such as anxiety. The impact of language is also evident as Dee read to her mother and sister, who couldn’t read. This activity also contributed to Maggie’s negative impact. Therefore, family heritage influences an individual’s identity.
The family environment influences individual identity. According to Wamboldt and Reiss, 2, “The idea that a person’s experience of growing up in his or her origin family may influence later development is certainly not novel,” the individual’s character is influenced by the individual’s family and the home environment. Moreover, the impact the family has on an individual later influences the type of family the individual has. Therefore, the family influences the individual’s character and social behaviour. Subsequently, as a person’s character is influenced, their interactions in society vary, with some being outspoken and confident while others are introverted and timid. Additionally, the changed personality affects the relationships of the individual and in society. Therefore, the family environment influences the personality and character of an individual.
Acculturation and cultural exposure within a family background influence an individual’s identity. According to Ward, 244, “The role of cultural contact in facilitating changes in identity, attitudes, values, and behaviors has also been examined by comparisons across generations, where studies typically reveal that second-generation migrants more closely resemble members of the dominant society than do their parents.” Cultural experiences influence an individual’s ethnic identity, especially among mixed-race individuals. Cultural and ethnic identity influences an individual’s personality, especially in people of character. Subsequently, having one ethnicity that is identified with certain characters influences the personal view of an individual. In most mixed-race children, dual family heritage has an anxious tendency based on their family race and ethnic background. Moreover, not all are adolescents involved, but as adults, this character will still be present. Therefore, it concludes that the family culture and cultural practices influence an individual’s identity.
In conclusion, an individual’s personality is influenced by family heritage. Accordingly, the family culture, language, and self-knowledge from family interactions influence the personality and character and eventually the individual’s identity. Therefore, the experiences of an individual as a child influence their personality as adults. In conclusion, an individual’s identity is influenced by family heritage.
Work Cited
Giovanni, Nikki. “Mothers By Nikki Giovanni | Poetry Foundation”. Poetry Foundation, 2021, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48228/mothers.
Meinke, Peter. “Advice To My Son By Peter Meinke – Your Daily Poem”. Yourdailypoem.Com, 2021, http://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=1871. Accessed 10 Apr 2021.
Walker, Alice et al. “[Fiction] Everyday Use, By Alice Walker | Harper’s Magazine”. Harper’s Magazine, 1973, https://harpers.org/archive/1973/04/everyday-use/.
Wamboldt, Frederick S., and David Reiss. “Defining A Family Heritage And A New Relationship Identity: Two Central Tasks In The Making Of A Marriage”. Family Process, vol 28, no. 3, 1989, pp. 317-335. Wiley, doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1989.00317.x. Accessed 10 Apr 2021.
Ward, Colleen. “Acculturation, Identity And Adaptation In Dual Heritage Adolescents”. International Journal Of Intercultural Relations, vol 30, no. 2, 2006, pp. 243-259. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.09.001. Accessed 10 Apr 2021.
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Question 
Family Culture, Language and Self-Knowledge
Review the Strategy Questions for Organizing Your Argument Essay in the “Creating an Informal Outline” section of Chapter 5, and then write a 1000-word argument for a claim of value connecting individual identity and family heritage. To help you develop your claim of value, think through questions such as these:
How are people’s identities shaped by their surrounding familial and cultural traditions?
How uniform and valued/cherished is your family history?
In order to support your claim of value, you’ll need to include a variety of sources and perspectives. Incorporate the following into your paper:
your first-hand experiences
evidence gathered from stories in this module
researched scholarly insight into family and self-identity
our Core Values of Excellence and/or Integrity