Influences Of Family Identity Essay

The Influences of Family on Personal Identity

Imagine a child who has grown up in a conflicted home. If they were drawn into the family arguments, then that may be a contributing factor in how they act when they are older. They may need conflict driven relationships, or maybe they will become withdrawn, introverted. Family situations may not be the only negative factor on an identity. Also included could be genetic factors, such as mental illness or disease, birth order, such as a first child having more responsibility, whereas a middle child would be more withdrawn and impulsive, and even development of a false personality ( or false self) (WITTMEYER).

There are two categories of false personality/false self. These categories are the codependent and the counterdependent (How the False Self Gets Created). Now, everyone knows that one kid who does everything for his parents and nothing for themselves. They make it seem as if their one goal in life is to simply please their parents. This is an example of a Codependent false self. If under this category, then the only thing they seem to believe is important is their parents approval. They strive to maintain and keep the

An older sibling may have more responsibility for their younger siblings, and may become a perfectionist. Perfectionist’s often put pressure on themselves to accomplish everything they can as perfectly as they can. Middle children are often social butterflies, most likely because they don't get much attention at home. The youngest child has a strong sense of security and confidence. They are also charming and likeable. Because siblings have different personality characteristics, conflicts often ensue. The only child has a sense of need for their parents approval, as all of their parents expectations are placed on them. They often work harder than most and are often more academically capable of keeping up with school and getting good