Social Identity and Moral Responsibility

I think our society greatly defines who we are, more so than how we define ourselves. Growing up in our society has given us great freedoms that other people in other regions of the world may not necessarily have, and I think we sometimes overlook that. We are able to attend school for free, and further our education by going to college, if we choose to do so. I know, as a female, that I wouldn’t be able to do such a thing if I were born in a different country. We can decide what our career paths will be, and we can separate ourselves from the shadows of our parents and other relatives (meaning if your dad is a baker, you do not necessarily need to be one too, unless you want to). These are things we perceive as normal, and we take advantage of them. This is apart of our culture. We are outspoken, independent, and have many opportunities that we take for granted.

To bring this to a more personal level, we tend to develop character traits, ideas, and opinions from the people who surround us. I was adopted as an infant, and I have absolutely no recollection of my biological parents. My parents raised me since I was 6 weeks old, and, in my opinion, they are what matters to me. I was adopted into a very Italian family, and even though I am not Italian, I developed the “typical attributes” of an Italian. Family is number one, nothing could ever change that, and I know I can talk to any one of my family members (and there’s a lot of ‘em to choose from!) if I have any problems and they wouldn’t think twice about helping me. I’m at times very loud, I talk with my hands, and I take care of my own, whether they need financial support, emotional support, or just a good meal in their stomach.

Something about myself that has resulted from my own creativity is the major, and eventually, career path I have chosen. I’ve always loved all things art related, and throughout my years of schooling I have developed that creativity. In high school we had studio art classes, and I chose photography. I submitted much of my work into local art shows and really got an understanding of the inner-workings of small art galleries. After I graduated I attended a local community college and began taking drawing classes and fell in love with a whole new medium. When I finally transferred to Southern, I decided to further my interest of the art world and became an art history major. The fact that I used to make art has helped me to better understand the processes other artists go through when they create. This defines me because no one else in my family is interested in the arts/art world.  

            When it comes to social identity and whether or not we have responsibilities for those around us, I believe it depends on whom it is. As I said in my first paragraph, our country and where we are raised defines us on a large scale, but I do not necessarily think we have a moral responsibility to give to our government. As it is, we already pay taxes and give up apart of our income to our government, and that is enough. Obviously, if you have the extra resources it would be great if you could contribute more, but I do not think have to. But when it comes to family and those who helped raise you and make you into the person you are today, I absolutely think we have a moral responsibility to help them out of they ever need it. As I said in my second paragraph, my family means the world to me and I have no problem dropping everything to be by their side because they have sacrificed so much for me. It is only right that I do the same for them.