Family identity is made up of the traits a person has inherited along with the role in their family they have been born into. Family identity establishes the cultural environment in which one will shape their ideas of self. It is well known that no two people have the same DNA. DNA is unique to each person. As well, the inherited traits one receives through birth shape their mental and physical attributes. A child can be gifted with a genius I.Q., a natural talent, or aesthetically pleasing features. Another may be challenged with an emotional, mental, or physical handicap. Though these inherent characteristics come on a sliding scale and can be manipulated throughout life, they will always lie in the fo

Most people live their life believing in a higher power or sense of right verses wrong. If a person is staying in line with their ethical self they may believe their identity consists of honesty and integrity. Vice versa, if a person is constantly making what they believe to be the wrong choice they may start to believe they are an untrustworthy and corrupt person. These choices will ultimately effect how one feels about themselves, and their sense of worth. People self-talk most of the time. This self-talk, will ultimately shape how people perceive themselves and their self-identity. The parodies of the psychiatrist, Stewart Smalley, on the television show Saturday Night Live are true. As Stewart looks in the mirror and says, "You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it people like you", he represents all the people who feed themselves daily affirmations of who they are. Each person creates their own set of standards and values and each person judges how they compare to this bar they have set.

Personal identity is also affected by ones successes and failures. This is interconnected to one's sense of worth. When one's goals are achieved a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment is earned, while when one fails there is a questioning of one's competence. Setting and striving toward goals also pushes people to their limits and helps find and define their abilities as well as limitations and within this, one's self-identity.

With such individuality and uniqueness, to say identity is complex is an understatement, but it is simple to see aspects from where se

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Approximate Word count = 1078
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)