Religion Values, and Culture Identity Development

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Identity is a word that is used very commonly and regularly by people in their daily life. Identity formation is a process of developing distinct, separate identity. “A person’s identity has many attributes. It is a representation of one’s unique personal experience, memory, ethnicity, culture, religious orientation, gender, occupational role, amongst various other factors. Erikson refers to identity as “some belief in the sameness and continuity of some shared world image.”Identity may be defined as one’s consciousness of one self and others’ perception of one’s individuality”, (Yamin, 2008).

Identity can be defined by cultural classification which includes nationality race, religion, gender and social characteristics which includes family, career, position or title. These are external components of identity. The internal component of identity includes ability, skills, strengths, capabilities etc, (Davis).These internal and external components of identity are used by people to describe their identity. Having awareness about ones identity is very essential because without it one can’t be authentic or real .Also, a person’s relationship, career, job, lifestyle are all influenced by the person’s identity.

Cultural identity –

It refers to a sense of belonging to a particular culture or group. Cultural identity is present as long as a person is a member of a particular group or culture. So in simple terms, cultural identity can be said to be the culture that one identifies with or chooses to identify with and it is this culture that has an influence on the identity of the individual. Self image of the person is related to the status of the group. Cultural identity has been researched tremendously and it is very important in the d...

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...enship in a global world. Educational Forum (Volume 68).

2) Godykunst, W.B & Nishida, T. (1999). The Influence of culture & strength of cultural identity on individual value in Japan and the United States. Intercultural communication studies IX.

3) Haji, R., Lalonde, N.R, Durbin, A. & Naveh-Benjamin, I. (2011).A Multi-dimensional approach to identity: Religious & Cultural identity in young Jewish Canadians. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 14 (1), pg-3-18. Sage.

4) Yamin, S. (2008). Understanding Religious identity and causes of religious violence. South Asian Journal Of peace building, Vol- 1, No1-Peace Prints.

Internet sources-

5) http://193.1.88.47/careers/units/unit-v006.shtml

6) http://www.credong.org/influences-of-religion-on-daily-life.php

7) http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12663646-religious-discrimination-continues-in-india

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