We are greatly influenced by the societies that we live in. The people and environment around us shape who we are, but not entirely. I think that people tend to want to blend into the environment that they are in and use their environment as a way to define who they are. Sometimes when people blend into a bad environment it can be harmful. However, there have been many cases of people coming out of bad environments as good people so I believe that our societies don't entirely control out identity. I think that people cannot entirely do defined by the societies they live in. Societies are very complex so its hard to say they everyone in a particular society has a particular experience. Most people within a society have a similar experience and conform to their culture. People use the people around them to define and understand themselves.
I think that because I have lived in many different types of environments it has helped me to become a well rounded individuality. I went to a diverse high school that helped me to appreciate all different types of people and be accepting. I think a big part of who I am is the struggles that I have faced in life and they many lessons I have learned. Me being passionate about traveling has been something that has came up from my own choice and creativity. I was raised by my dad who isn't that into seeing new places but I have always have a passion for exploring new places for as long as I can remember. I am also the only person in my environment going up that was creative. I think that a big part of me is not shaped from my environment but rather my individuality and creativity.
I think that our social identity can increase our responsibly for others but not all the time. For example if there has been a person that has had a big positive influence on your life you have a responsibly to care for them. However, for people that have had a negative influence on your life you have no moral responsibility for them. It is possible for people to be close to us but not have a positive influence on our life. However I think that a lot of what decides is right and wrong is up to the individual. I wouldn't be right to say that everyone has a responsibility for the people who have positively effected your life. Sometimes people are effected in a positive way by people who are negative and vise-versa.
Ultimately I think that moral responsibility for other people should be that if people do good things to you, you should return the favor.
Jeff, I really like what you stated here in the last sentence that do good to people who have done good for you. Because even though I feel we talk about it a lot I don't feel that many people actually follow through. You were right to say that society is a complex thing and and who we are is not always a straight answer. But I found it interesting that you thought the person had more of the control. Because I said the opposite, but you made a good argument defending your answer. Just double check your grammar/spelling.
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