1. IDENTITY
To what extent is our identity determined at birth?

2. You are the fairy godmother to these newborn twins
You are the fairy godmother to these newborn twins. Write down all the things you would wish your male/female child to be when they grow up
congratulations!!

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES We are learning about We will do this by
the construction of social identities
Describe how social identity is formulated and developed
Debate whether identity is determined or socially constructed

4. Defining Identity
A sense of self that develops as the child differentiates from parents and family and takes a place in society (Jary and Jary 1991)

5. Defining Social identity
SOCIAL IDENTITY has been defined as out understanding or who we are and who other people are (Jenkins 1996)
People associate themselves with those that are similar and distance themselves from those who are not. (Sub cultures)

6. Social identity theory
Our ‘unique’ social identity is our understanding of ourselves and who we are in relation to other people or groups.
We label (I am a girl)
We categorise ourselves (I belong to the Pink Ladies)
We make comparisons (the Pink ladies are prettier than the Goths)

7. Sources of identity ethnicity nationality sexuality gender
Identity is also related to the groups in which we belong
class

8. Socialisation is important in shaping identity.
Identities are linked to particular roles
Male/female
Adult/child
Scout/Guide
Identity defines who we are but are also shaped by social factors
What age do you become an adult?
How to behave as a man/woman

9. Developing identity
As we age some aspects of our social identity change due to new experiences that make us think differently of ourselves and how we have been treated by others.
The social roles we occupy have a strong influence on how we see ourselves
Reflect natural differences between people and cultures
Suggestion that roles are shaped by social factors and is an integral part of social life.

10. Family Education Culture Roles Class Socialisation Region Peers Age
The Web of Identity
Education
Culture
Roles
Class
Socialisation
Region
Peers
Age
Media
Status
Individual Identity
Ethnicity
Gender
Subculture
Values
Religion
Norms
Work
Politics

11. The formation of identities
Mead – development of self and being able to imagine how others see us
Goffman – All the world is a stage and we are actors with a variety of roles.
Freud – childhood experiences are vital for the development of an adult identity

12. GENDER ROLES
Parents expect children to behave in certain ways according to their sex
Children are typecast into masculine or feminine gender roles
Reinforced at school
Books and toys present typical stereotypes

13. In what ways are boys and girls treated differently and by who?

14. Sex and gender are an important part of our identity, who we are and how we think of ourselves

15. GENDER IDENTITY – Nature or nurture
MEAD 35
Margaret Mead studies 3 tribes in New guinea and concluded that gender roles were culturally determined
1. What would happen if a family from any one of the tribes went to live in another?
2. How might their behaviour be described by the dominant culture?
3. How might the ‘immigrant’ family view the behaviour of the others?

16. GENDER IDENTITY – Nature or nurture
The roles of men and women complement each other
Biologically shaped
Socially functional
Women involved in bearing and rearing children and programmed for softness and affection
Men have been ‘biogrammed’ to be aggressive, powerful and decision makers
To go against biogrammar is to go against nature (Tiger & Fox 72, pg 37)

17. Theoretical perspectives of the development of your identity
Read pages 37 – 40 (Barnard) and elsewhere to find the answers
Description of how identity is developed
Nature or Nurture?
Is the individual active or passive?
MARXIST
FEMINIST
POST MODERNIST
FUNCTIONALIST
INTERACTIONIST

18. To what extent is our identity determined at birth? [25]
HOMEWORK
To what extent is our identity determined at birth? [25]

20. FUNCTIONALISTS
Identity development is affected by the needs of the state
Our identity is affected by the value consensus that most people share within their culture that bonds us together
we internalise what society says is important and make it part of us
Eg I am quite clever, competitive when I need to be and I'm usually kind. (society values and has a use for all of these things)

21. FUNCTIONALISTS Talcott Parsons -Two main functions of the family
Socialisation –woman is in command and the ‘expressive’ partner of the marital relationship
Stabilisation – man goes to work brings home the money provides for the family
Murdock suggests that the division of labour is an efficient means of dividing socially necessary tasks
Division comes about from differences in strength (males) and demands of pregnancy (females)

22. FEMINISTS
Feminists argue that social influences are more important than biological
Gender is one of the primary aspects of a person’s individual identity if not THE primary factor
Identity is shaped and channelled through the socialisation process (both primary and secondary)
Women are shaped into seeing themselves as second class citizens because we live in a patriarchal society

23. MARXIST FEMINISTS The capitalist state breeds gross inequalities.
Points to the effect of the consumer society of a woman’s self image
Fashion, diet, sex objects, magazines
All impose impossible images which is damaging to self esteem

24. MARXISTS
People have little control over how their identity is shaped because it will be totally ties in to the economy
Being born working class means you have lower self esteem than upper class
We are shaped to become workers and think ourselves as workers
The media is the new opium, it keeps people docile and fuels consumer society and a constant feeling of inadequacy

25. INTERACTIONISTS
There is an interaction between people and the meanings they share which is incorporated into an individuals self image
According to labelling theory an individuals identity is shaped by the labels others give him/her, creating a self fulfilling prophecy
John is the life and soul of the party
The Johnson family are a bad lot

26. POST MODERNIST
Identity is not a fixed thing, key features can be changed if the person wants them to be
Individuals can ‘pick and mix’ when it comes to choosing who they are and create their own narrative
Language and symbols are important for the individual. We care more about looks than substance, eg designer logo is more important than the function of the trainer

27. Key terms:
SEX: matters of biology – not as straightforward as it seems
GENDER IDENTITY: a person's own feelings about whether they are male/ female, both or neither
GENDER ROLE: a set of behavioural prescriptions assigned by a culture to particular gender
MASCULINITY: a gender term associated with male traits
FEMINITY: a gender term associated with female traits
ANDROGENY: a type of gender where the individual shows masculine and feminine traits