Social Environments

     To what extent are we defined by our social environment? Well, to give an example from my own life: I enjoy being outside. I like doing things outdoors, and I enjoy things like bonfires, hiking, going into the woods, etc. I can attribute this to the fact that the town I grew up in, Shelton, with the exception of the downtown, is largely a rural area with lots of land which is covered by mostly woods and forest. As kids, we spent all of our time outside, in the yard, in the woods, around creeks and ponds, etc. This is the reason I enjoy an "outdoorsy" life today. I am sure that if I had grown up in an urban environment, I would not have the same set of interests as I do now. Obviously, some people are exceptions to this rule on both sides of the spectrum, but I am confident that this is true for the most part. On the other hand, I consider myself a political independent. In today's political stage, it's a very adverse mindset. Democrats vs Republicans; Liberals vs Conservatives. In a society that is very prone to taking sides, I chose to not bind myself to any sort of "us versus them" political ideologies, but rather formulate my own opinions on matters as opposed to fully enveloping myself in a shroud of political parties.
     So, to answer my original question: To what extent are we defined by our social environment? And furthermore, are we more morally obliged to people that are involved in our social structure than to people who are not? Well, we are, as people, very defined by our social environment and its norms, at least at a face value. Let's think about it this way: I am an American from New England. It is for this reason that I eat American food, enjoy freedoms and rights that people in many other countries do not, strongly support those rights and freedoms, and am accustomed to a 4-season year. I'd rather watch baseball than cricket, I'd rather eat a cheeseburger than haggis, and to me, a dog is a pet and not a meal. However these are traits and qualities that are merely general statements about me as a person. Deeper within my personality lies my ideologies, strongly rooted opinions, and points of fascination. These are traits that do not define me as a person, but rather define me as an individual. These are choices that I've made through my own inner workings and creativity. Unless you have been brainwashed, no one can control your thoughts. And therefore, your thoughts belong to you alone. That's why, while our general outer layer of our personality is defined mostly by our environment, our individuality is defined almost entirely by our choices and creativity. So, am I more morally obliged to the people of my environment? Or to all people just the same? Well, I guess most people would say that we are more obliged to the people of our environment. And honestly, I'd have to say that I'd feel more obligated to people I know or share common ground with. I know that I'm more obligated to my family and friends, because those people have given to me, and it is only right that I give back to them.