Identification in Society
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Identification in Society

I explore how different parts of my identity affect the way I act and the choices I make.

582
Identification in Society
My identity is comprised of various parts, which are all interconnected. Three parts of my social identity are my ethnicity, my mental/physical state, and my family's income. Regarding these characteristics, I am Indian, I am 18 years old, and my family's income can be classified as comfortable middle class. College graduation rates are affected by a wide variety of factors, one being income, which relates to family background. According to the concept of social stratification, family background/father's occupation has an effect on an individual's likelihood of receiving an education. Someone whose family is better off does no have to worry about making it to college or paying for it as much as someone who does not come from a family of high income. Being part of the middle class also creates a greater sense of urgency for me to get an education, as jobs for the uneducated middle class are disappearing. Age also plays into the college graduation rates; through the concept of communal learning in the US, students learn that the suggested path after high school graduation is college graduation. Although it is not the only path, it is one taken by countless high school graduates when they become 'adults', so to speak, at 18 years old. Someone who is much younger is less likely to graduate college because they are too young and have not acquired the social skills needed to make the transition, while someone who is older may have more responsibilities and not enough time for a degree if they enter college at this older age. Finally, ethnicity can shape college graduation rates; Asian-Americans have placed an extremely high emphasis on schooling, sometimes too high, which creates an environment for students where they are pressured to do more than their peers.
My own personal choices, attitudes, behaviors are conditioned by the broad social effects that can connect how I identify socially to college graduation rates. Because my family is considered 'middle class', I personally do not have to worry about working while receiving an education because I know any costs I do have will be covered by my family, something I am truly grateful for. Because I do not have to worry about working, I can focus entirely on academics and my degree, which gives me more time to study and pursue other professional opportunities. Next, me being 18 years old, the age where many people graduate high school and start college, has led me to do just that: my senior year it was expected by my friends, family, and teachers that I apply to colleges and attend the next fall because that it what everyone my age was doing. Through communal learning and social observation, I learned throughout my life that college was a path that most people my age in my community took, a social norm, so I pursued it as well. Because of this, I am now at an undergraduate at Rutgers University, where I am studying to receive a degree in Animal Science. As an American born Indian, my family and culture places a large emphasis on studying, success, and education. This may stem from the fact that my grandparents immigrated from India, in addition to my parents when they were around my age; they created a life for themselves with little support from anyone and therefore created a better life for me. My parents worked hard and studied hard, and the idea that I must do something with their sacrifices and hard work has been ingrained into my mind. My culture puts a lot of value into meritocracy and earning something by working hard, which is what I was conditioned to do. I am at Rutgers on a scholarship and chose to attend here because I wanted to study at a place where I earned something myself.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42502
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26683
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951786
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

139187
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments