definition essay cultural identity

Cultural Identity Essay

27 August, 2020

12 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

No matter where you study, composing essays of any type and complexity is a critical component in any studying program. Most likely, you have already been assigned the task to write a cultural identity essay, which is an essay that has to do a lot with your personality and cultural background. In essence, writing a cultural identity essay is fundamental for providing the reader with an understanding of who you are and which outlook you have. This may include the topics of religion, traditions, ethnicity, race, and so on. So, what shall you do to compose a winning cultural identity essay?

Cultural Identity Paper: Definitions, Goals & Topics 

Before starting off with a cultural identity essay, it is fundamental to uncover what is particular about this type of paper. First and foremost, it will be rather logical to begin with giving a general and straightforward definition of a cultural identity essay. In essence, cultural identity essay implies outlining the role of the culture in defining your outlook, shaping your personality, points of view regarding a multitude of matters, and forming your qualities and beliefs. Given a simpler definition, a cultural identity essay requires you to write about how culture has influenced your personality and yourself in general. So in this kind of essay you as a narrator need to give an understanding of who you are, which strengths you have, and what your solid life position is.

Yet, the goal of a cultural identity essay is not strictly limited to describing who you are and merely outlining your biography. Instead, this type of essay pursues specific objectives, achieving which is a perfect indicator of how high-quality your essay is. Initially, the primary goal implies outlining your cultural focus and why it makes you peculiar. For instance, if you are a french adolescent living in Canada, you may describe what is so special about it: traditions of the community, beliefs, opinions, approaches. Basically, you may talk about the principles of the society as well as its beliefs that made you become the person you are today.

So far, cultural identity is a rather broad topic, so you will likely have a multitude of fascinating ideas for your paper. For instance, some of the most attention-grabbing topics for a personal cultural identity essay are:

• Memorable traditions of your community
• A cultural event that has influenced your personality 
• Influential people in your community
• Locations and places that tell a lot about your culture and identity

Cultural Identity Essay Structure

As you might have already guessed, composing an essay on cultural identity might turn out to be fascinating but somewhat challenging. Even though the spectrum of topics is rather broad, the question of how to create the most appropriate and appealing structure remains open.

Like any other kind of an academic essay, a cultural identity essay must compose of three parts: introduction, body, and concluding remarks. Let’s take a more detailed look at each of the components:

Introduction 

Starting to write an essay is most likely one of the most time-consuming and mind-challenging procedures. Therefore, you can postpone writing your introduction and approach it right after you finish body paragraphs. Nevertheless, you should think of a suitable topic as well as come up with an explicit thesis. At the beginning of the introduction section, give some hints regarding the matter you are going to discuss. You have to mention your thesis statement after you have briefly guided the reader through the topic. You can also think of indicating some vital information about yourself, which is, of course, relevant to the topic you selected.

Your main body should reveal your ideas and arguments. Most likely, it will consist of 3-5 paragraphs that are more or less equal in size. What you have to keep in mind to compose a sound ‘my cultural identity essay’ is the argumentation. In particular, always remember to reveal an argument and back it up with evidence in each body paragraph. And, of course, try to stick to the topic and make sure that you answer the overall question that you stated in your topic. Besides, always keep your thesis statement in mind: make sure that none of its components is left without your attention and argumentation.

Conclusion 

Finally, after you are all finished with body paragraphs and introduction, briefly summarize all the points in your final remarks section. Paraphrase what you have already revealed in the main body, and make sure you logically lead the reader to the overall argument. Indicate your cultural identity once again and draw a bottom line regarding how your culture has influenced your personality.

Best Tips For Writing Cultural Identity Essay

Writing a ‘cultural identity essay about myself’ might be somewhat challenging at first. However, you will no longer struggle if you take a couple of plain tips into consideration. Following the tips below will give you some sound and reasonable cultural identity essay ideas as well as make the writing process much more pleasant:

• Start off by creating an outline. The reason why most students struggle with creating a cultural identity essay lies behind a weak structure. The best way to organize your ideas and let them flow logically is to come up with a helpful outline. Having a reference to build on is incredibly useful, and it allows your essay to look polished.
• Remember to write about yourself. The task of a cultural identity essay implies not focusing on your culture per se, but to talk about how it shaped your personality. So, switch your focus to describing who you are and what your attitudes and positions are. 
• Think of the most fundamental cultural aspects. Needless to say, you first need to come up with a couple of ideas to be based upon in your paper. So, brainstorm all the possible ideas and try to decide which of them deserve the most attention. In essence, try to determine which of the aspects affected your personality the most.
• Edit and proofread before submitting your paper. Of course, the content and the coherence of your essay’s structure play a crucial role. But the grammatical correctness matters a lot too. Even if you are a native speaker, you may still make accidental errors in the text. To avoid the situation when unintentional mistakes spoil the impression from your essay, always double check your cultural identity essay. 

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Cultural identities.

• Yea-Wen Chen Yea-Wen Chen School of Communication, San Diego State University
•  and  Hengjun Lin Hengjun Lin School of Communication Studies, Ohio University
• https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.20
• Published online: 07 July 2016

Within the discipline of communication, the concept of “cultural identities” has captivated, fascinated, and received sustained attention from scholars of communication and culture over time. Like the concept of “culture,” which is varied, complex, and at times contested, the study of cultural identity has been approached from diverse lenses, whether theoretically, methodologically, or ontologically. In one sense, cultural identity can be understood as the experience, enactment, and negotiation of dynamic social identifications by group members within particular settings. As an individual identifies with—or desires acceptance into—multiple groups, people tend to experience, enact, or negotiate not just one cultural identity at a time but often multiple cultural identities at once. Further, how one experiences her/his intersecting cultural identities with others can vary from context to context depending on the setting, the issue at hand, the people involved, etc. Not surprisingly, intercultural communication scholars have contributed quite a number of theories concerning cultural identities within communication interactions: co-cultural theory, cultural contract theory, and identity negotiation theory, to name a few. In addition, intercultural communication scholars have offered rich cases that examine dynamic enactments, negotiations, or contestations of cultural identities across important contexts such as race, media, and globalization. Ultimately, the study of cultural identities offers rich understandings for both oneself and others. As the world that we inhabit is becoming increasingly diverse, the study of cultural identities will continue to gain traction within the communication discipline and beyond.

• intercultural communication
• approaches to cultural identities
• theorizing about cultural identities

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Cultural Identity

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Cultural Identity by Yea-Wen Chen , Marion G. Mendy LAST REVIEWED: 12 January 2021 LAST MODIFIED: 12 January 2021 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0254

Cultural identity is a multidimensional concept that has fascinated scholars, researchers, and practitioners in (intercultural) communication and related disciplines over time. The year 2020 has witnessed renewed interests in and debates about a multiplicity of cultural identities, which demonstrate the concept’s relevance in everyday interactions across local and global contexts. For instance, both the rise of conservatism across the globe (including white nationalism in the United States during the Trump administration) and the push for greater equity and inclusion for all (e.g., Black Lives Matter movement, sexual misconduct policies, and gender-neutral bathrooms in public spaces) have garnered and regenerated needs to better understand cultural identity as a complex and contested communication construct. Analytically, cultural identity encompasses a wide range of socially constructed categories that influence how a person knows and experiences his/her/their social world (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, socioeconomic status, ability, sexuality, religion, and more). As a social construct, cultural identity deals with important questions about conceptions, understandings, and lived experiences regarding the self in relation to others across time, space, and context. In particular, cultural identity—as opposed to identity—focuses on questions regarding membership in, acceptance into, (dis)identification with, and/or negotiation of (un)belongingness to various groups vis-à-vis communication. Questions about “difference” in a myriad of ways are at the heart of inquiries about cultural identity. That is, cultural identity is better understood as “cultural identities” as always already plural, intersecting, and evolving along various power lines that relate to histories, politics, and social forces. Communication scholars have studied the concept of cultural identity from different perspectives and approaches (e.g., functionalist, interpretive, and critical lenses). In this article, influential works are identified and reviewed in related fields such as psychology, sociology, and cultural studies that have shaped the study of cultural identity in (intercultural) communication in US academia. Then, core texts and articles in communication are considered that represent key issues, core debates, and central arguments about cultural identities, which are followed by textbooks and readers, a review of journals, and prominent theories of cultural identity by intercultural communication scholars in the United States. The article ends with major areas of study.

The scholarship of cultural identity is influenced by intellectual thoughts across disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies. The foundation of cultural identity is about how the self experiences, locates, communicates, and/or performs himself/herself/themselves in relation to ingroup and outgroup members within existing social hierarchies. Several key publications pave the way for understanding cultural identity as quintessentially a communication phenomenon with cultural particularities, situated-ness, and significance within and across groups. Across the different perspectives on and approaches to cultural identity, much of the current understanding is influenced by and builds on the work of the following studies in a chronological order. Du Bois 1994 (first published in 1903) examines conflicting identities experienced by Black Americans at the dawn of the 20th century. Published posthumously, Mead 1934 describes symbolic interactionism based on student notes of Mead’s lectures on social psychology at the University of Chicago together with selections from unpublished manuscripts that Mead left. Goffman 1959 offers dramaturgy as a framework to understand the presentation of self as everyday performance. Rooted in the identity experiences of the colonized Others, Said 1978 describes a conceptualization of orientalism. Tajfel 1981 develops social identity theory to understand the experiences of ingroup and outgroup members. Foucault 1982 offers a view of identity in response to power relations and knowledge. Anzaldúa 1987 offers border/lands theory to describe the experiences of living and straddling between two or multiple worlds. Hall and du Gay 1996 is a collection of essays featuring postmodern approaches to identity. In particular, Hall and du Gay 1996 stresses that the issue of cultural identity has been vigorously debated in social theories.

Anzaldúa, G. 1987. Borderlands/La Frontera: The new mestiza . San Francisco, CA: Aunt Lute Books.

In this influential work, Anzaldúa coins and develops borderlands theory to capture the rich struggles of living within and outside cultures, languages, and social structures that are both safe and unsafe such as Chicanas growing up in South Texas long the US-Mexico border. Anzaldúa’s work both challenges marginalizing and oppressing systems and embraces new consciousness and lines of inquiries that draw from living/straddling between two worlds.

Du Bois, W. E. B. 1994. The souls of black folk . New York: Dover.

In this groundbreaking book, Du Bois coins an influential term “double-consciousness” to describe the experience and awareness of living with conflicting and irreconcilable identities (e.g., as both “Negro” and “American”). His book details the lived struggles of the doubly conscious Black Americans straddled in two conflicting worlds in the early 20th century, which has legitimized the realities of many racial and minoritized Others and also has served as the foundation for a great deal of cultural identity theorizing and studies. Originally published 1903.

Foucault, M. 1982. The subject and power. Critical Inquiry 8.2: 777–795.

DOI: 10.1086/448181

In this essay, Foucault offers a view of identity in which power formations and circulations make individuals “subjects.” As subjects, individuals are both subject to power and control by others and tied to his identity by a conscience resulting from power and self-knowledge. Foucault further details what constitutes power, how power is exercised, and how power relation can be analyzed in the creation of subjectivity as discursive formations.

Goffman, E. 1959. The presentation of self in everyday life . Garden City, NY: Anchor Books.

In dramaturgy, Goffman views individuals as social agents who present and perform their self-concepts in everyday communication interactions. Goffman considers that social agents present and perform their identity within any particular setting as consisting of a front stage and a back stage. Thus, Goffman highlights sociological understandings of the psychological processes through which individuals negotiate and perform who they are, and/or who they want to be, in social interactions according to not just personal experiences but also social norms.

Hall, S., and P. du Gay, eds. 1996. Questions of cultural identity . Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Reflecting a postmodern orientation to identity as anti-essentialist, malleable, and disjointed, the ten essays in Hall and du Gay’s edited collection feature a range of perspectives examining individual and collective identity formation, fragmentation, and deconstruction in discursive structures. As Hall argues in the introduction, “identities are constructed within, not outside, discourse” (p. 4). In this view, cultural identities are best understood in Hall’s words as “points of temporary attachment to the subject positions which discursive practices construct for us (1996, p. 6).

Mead, G. H. 1934. Mind, self, and society . Edited by C. W. Morris. Chicago: The Univ. of Chicago Press.

This original book outlines Mead’s system of social psychology, which is later termed “symbolic interactionism” by his student, Herbert Blumber. Mead offers concepts such as the “I,” the “me,” and “the generalized other” in developing a symbolic interactionist approach to identity. In this view, identity as a social process is developed through ongoing interactions in which the self interacts with the social world to (re)make meanings that inform self-consciousness.

Said, E. 1978. Orientalism . New York: Pantheon.

Orientalism systematically examines how Western scholarship (mis)represents the Orient (particularly the Near East and the Arab world) to subjugate the Orient in order to articulate and create the (superior) Occident. This book has been credited as the foundation for postcolonial scholarship as it legitimizes and offers the intellectual basis for counter-hegemonic criticism and pursuits of alternatives to Western-centric cannons, ideas, and voices.

Tajfel, H. 1981. Human groups and social categories . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press.

This key book serves as the foundation for Tajfel and colleagues’ development of social identity theory —an influential social psychological theory that inform a great deal of cultural identity studies in (intercultural) communication. Tajfel understands social identity as “the problems of an individual’s self-definition in a social context” (p. 254). Throughout this book, Tajfel considers and explains how an individual experiences and conceives his/her/their self-concept in intergroup relations with attention to issues of perceptual judgments, stereotypes, ethnocentrism, intergroup conflicts, and social psychology of minorities.

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How to Write a Cultural Identity Essay With Tips and Examples

• Icon Calendar 15 May 2024
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Writing a cultural identity essay is an exciting academic exercise that allows students to develop and utilize critical thinking, reflective, and analytical skills. Unlike a standard essay, this type of paper requires learners to use first-person language throughout. In essence, a cultural identity essay is about writers and what makes them identify with a particular cultural orientation. When writing a cultural identity essay, authors should choose a specific identity and focus on it throughout their texts. Moreover, they should reflect and brainstorm, use the “show, not tell” method, utilize transitions to create a natural flow, and proofread their papers to eliminate mistakes and errors. Hence, students need to learn how to write a cultural identity essay to provide high-quality papers to their readers.

Definition of a Cultural Identity Essay

Students undertake different writing exercises in the learning environment to develop their critical thinking, reflective, and analytical skills. Basically, one of these exercises is academic writing, and among different types of essays that students write is a cultural identity essay. In this case, it is a type of essay where authors write about their culture, which entails exploring and explaining the significance of their cultural identity. Moreover, there are numerous topics that instructors may require students to write about in a cultural identity essay. For example, some of these essay topics fall under different disciplines, such as religion, socio-economic status, family, education, ethnicity, and business. In essence, the defining features of a cultural identity essay are what aspects make authors know that they are writing in this type of essay. In turn, these features include language, nationality, gender, history, upbringing, and religion, among many others.

Differences Between a Cultural Identity Essay and Other Papers

Generally, a cultural identity essay is similar to a standard essay regarding an essay structure and an essay outline. However, the point of difference is the topic. While standard essays, such as argumentative, persuasive, and informative essays, require learners to use third-person language, such a paper requires them to use first-person language. In this case, when writing a cultural identity essay, authors should use the word “I” throughout to show the audience that they are writing from their perspective. Indeed, this aspect is the primary objective of a cultural identity essay – to give the writer’s perspective concerning their culture. Besides, another point of difference between a cultural identity essay and other papers is that the former does not require writers to utilize external sources but to write from a personal viewpoint.

List of Possible Examples of Cultural Identity Essay Topics

1. cultural identity and socialization in a learning environment.

Here, a cultural identity essay prompt may require students to discuss the significance of culture in education, focusing on cultural identity and socialization. As such, this topic requires writers to reflect on how culture influences behavior in a learning environment.

2. The Impact of Culture Change on Family

Here, this prompt may require students to explore and discuss how culture impacts a family unit. Moreover, the theme is a family, and the students’ mission would be to explain how culture in all its dynamics affects families in diverse settings.

3. The Role of Language in Building a Cultural Identity

Here, instructions may require students to explore and explain the significance of language in cultural identity. Hence, writers should focus on explaining the place of culture in the sociology discipline, focusing on the connection between language and cultural identity.

4. The Significance of Culture in a Globalized Economy

Here, a cultural identity essay topic may require students to explore and discuss how culture affects individuals and businesses in today’s connected world. Also, the students’ task would be to explain how culture, in all its dynamics, such as language, is essential in business for individuals and enterprises.

5. How Culture Influences Relations in the Workplace

Here, an essay prompt may require students to explore and explain how culture, in all its dynamics, affects or influences social relations at the workplace. In turn, the task of writers, for example, would be to focus on how Human Resource (HR) departments can use culture to enrich workplace relations.

6. The Place of Culture in Individuals’ Self-Concept

Here, an analysis of a theme may require students to reflect on how their cultural orientation has affected their self-concept. Moreover, the student’s task would be to discuss how culture and its dynamics enable individuals to build a strong or weak understanding of themselves.

7. The Importance of Cultural Orientation in a Multicultural Environment

Here, assignment instructions may require students to explore and discuss how their cultural orientation enables them to operate in a culturally diverse environment, such as a school or workplace. In this case, the student’s task would be to explain how cultural characteristics, such as language and religion, facilitate or hamper social competency in a multicultural setting. 

8. How Global Conflicts Disturb Cultural Identity for Refugees

Here, this example of a cultural identity topic may require students to explore and explain how conflicts in today’s world, such as civil unrest, affect the cultural identity of those who flee to foreign countries. Also, the student’s task would be to explain how one’s culture is affected in a new environment with totally different cultural dynamics.

9. The Challenges of Acculturation

Here, a cultural identity essay prompt may require students to explore and explain the challenges that individuals face in identifying with the dominant culture. In particular, the student’s task would be to explain the significance of the dominant culture and what those from other cultures that try to identify with it must confront.

10. Host Country Culture and Multinational Enterprises

Here, this prompt sample may require students to explore and explain how a host country’s culture affects expatriates working for multinational corporations. Besides, the students’ task would be to show how one’s culture defines their behaviors and how that can be affected in a new environment with new cultural characteristics.

11. Compare and Contrast Native Culture and Dominant Culture in the United States

Here, such instructions require students to explain specific areas of similarity and difference between the Native culture and the dominant culture. In turn, the students’ task would be to define the Native culture and the dominant culture and help the audience to understand whether they mean the same thing. Hence, whether they do or do not, students should elaborate.

12. The Objective of Acculturation

Here, this example of a cultural identity essay topic requires students to explore and explain why people prefer to identify with the dominant culture. Moreover, the students’ task would be to note the advantages of the dominant culture over others and the opportunities that one may access to identify with this dominant culture.

13. The Challenges That the LGBTQ Community Faces in the Modern World

Here, essay prompt instructions require students to explore and discuss the challenges that lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people face in their normal day-to-day activities. In this case, the students’ task would be to explain the uniqueness of the LGBTQ community and how stereotyping makes their lives miserable in an environment where people are intolerant of different personalities and viewpoints.

14. Dangers of Cultural Intolerance in the Health Care System

Here, instructions may require students to explore and discuss how nurses who are intolerant of cultural differences may jeopardize patients’ lives.

15. Advantages and Disadvantages of Acculturation

Here, a cultural identity essay prompt requires students to discuss the pros and cons of identifying with the dominant culture.

How Students Know if They Write a Cultural Identity Essay

The defining features of a cultural identity essay give students the indication that they need to write this kind of essay. Basically, when learners read instructions regarding their essay topics they need to write about, they should identify one or several defining elements. In turn, these elements include language, nationality, religion, ethnicity, and gender.

Structure of a Cultural Identity Essay

As stated previously, the primary point of similarity between a cultural identity essay and standard papers is an essay structure and an essay outline. Basically, this structure and outline comprise of three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. Like in all other essays, writing a cultural identity essay requires students to address specific issues, which are, in essence, the defining characteristics of the essay’s structure and outline.

I. Introduction and Its Defining Characteristics

The introduction is the first paragraph of a cultural identity essay. Here, students introduce themselves to the audience, giving a brief background of their cultural identity. Moreover, rules of academic writing dictate that this part should not exceed 10 percent of the entire paper. In this case, writers should be brief and concise. Then, the most prominent component of this section is a thesis, a statement that appears at the end of an introduction paragraph and whose objective is to indicate the writer’s mission. In summary, the introduction part’s defining features are the writer’s background and thesis statement. In turn, the former gives a hint about a writer, and the latter provides the audience with insight into the writer’s objective in writing a cultural identity essay.

The body of a cultural identity essay is the most significant section of a paper and takes the largest part. Generally, writers use several paragraphs to advance different arguments to explain specific concepts. In a cultural identity essay, writers can use different paragraphs to explain important aspects of their cultural identity. Nonetheless, what determines the number of paragraphs and the content of each is a paper topic. Also, the most prominent defining features of a cultural identity essay’s body are paragraphs, with each advancing a unique concept about the writer’s cultural identity. In turn, paragraphs are where writers provide real-life experiences and other personal anecdotes that help the audience to develop a deeper understanding of authors from a cultural perspective.

III. Conclusion

The conclusion part is the last section of a cultural identity essay. In particular, writers restate a thesis statement and summarize the main points from body paragraphs. Moreover, authors provide concluding remarks about a topic, which is mostly an objective personal opinion. In summary, the conclusion part’s defining features are a restatement of a thesis, a summary of the main points, and the writer’s final thoughts about a topic.

Outline Template for a Cultural Identity Essay

I. Introduction

A. Hook statement/sentence. B. Background information. C. A thesis statement that covers the main ideas from 1 to X in one sentence.

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Idea 1 B. Idea 2 … X. Idea X

A. Restating a thesis statement. B. Summary of the main points from A to X. C. Final thoughts.

An Example of a Cultural Identity Essay

Topic: Identifying as a Naturalist

I. Introduction Sample in a Cultural Identity Essay

The period of birth marks the beginning of one’s identity, with culture playing a significant role. However, from the stage of adolescence going forward, individuals begin to recognize and understand their cultural makeup. In my case, I have come to discover my love for nature, an aspect that I believe has made me a naturalist both in belief and action.

II. Examples of Body Paragraphs in a Cultural Identity Essay

A. idea 1: parents.

Parents play a critical role in shaping the cultural and personal identity of their children. In my case, it is my mother who has instilled in me a love for nature. Although I may not say exactly when this love started, I can only reason that since it was ingrained in me since childhood, it has developed gradually.

B. Idea 2: Naturalism

Today, naturalism defines my interactions with people and the environment. In short, I can say it shapes my worldview. As a lover of nature herself, my mother had this habit of taking me outdoors when I was a toddler. I have seen family photographs of my mother walking through parks and forests holding my hand. What is noticeable in these pictures besides my mother and me is the tree cover that gives the setting such a lovely sight. Moreover, I can now understand why I seem more conversant with the names and species of flowers, trees, and birds than my siblings- my mother was the influence. In turn, my siblings and friends make a joke that I have developed a strong love for nature to the point of identifying myself with the environment. Hence, the basis for this argument is my love for the green color, where even my clothes and toys are mostly green.

III. Conclusion Sample of a Cultural Identity Essay

Naturally, human beings behave in line with their cultural background and orientation. Basically, this behavior is what determines or reflects their cultural identity. In turn, my intense love for nature underscores my naturalist identity. While I may not tell the stage in life when I assumed this identity, I know my mother has played a significant role in shaping it, and this is since childhood.

Summing Up on How to Write a Good Cultural Identity Essay

Like any standard paper, writing a cultural identity essay allows students to build essential skills, such as critical thinking, reflective, and analytical skills. In this case, the essence of a paper is to provide the writer’s cultural identity, background, or orientation. Therefore, in order to learn how to write a good cultural identity essay, students should master the following tips:

• Decide where to focus. Culture is a broad topic, and deciding what to focus on is essential in producing a cultural identity essay. For example, one may have several cultural identities, and addressing all may lead to inconclusive explanations.
• Reflect and brainstorm. Given the close link between one’s cultural identity and personal experiences, learners need to reflect on experiences that would provide the audience with an accurate picture of their cultural identity.
• Adopt the “Show, not tell” approach by providing vivid details about one’s experiences. Using personal anecdotes may be effective in accomplishing this objective.
• Use transitions , such as “therefore,” “thus,” ” additionally,” and “furthermore,” to enhance a natural and logical flow throughout the essay.
• Stay personal by using first-person language to describe one’s background and experiences.
• Proofread a cultural identity essay to eliminate spelling and grammatical mistakes and other notable errors, such as an inconsistent life storyline.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Race and Ethnicity — Cultural Identity

Essays on Cultural Identity

What makes a good cultural identity essay topics.

When it comes to writing a cultural identity essay, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good essay topic should be thought-provoking, unique, and relevant to today's society. It should also allow for in-depth exploration and analysis. In this section, we will discuss What Makes a Good cultural identity essay topic and provide recommendations on how to brainstorm and choose an essay topic.

When brainstorming essay topics, it's important to consider your own interests and experiences. Reflect on your own cultural background and think about topics that resonate with you personally. Additionally, consider current events and societal issues that are relevant to cultural identity. This can help you choose a topic that is both timely and impactful.

Another important factor to consider when choosing a cultural identity essay topic is the level of complexity and depth it offers. A good essay topic should allow for meaningful exploration and analysis, rather than just surface-level discussion. Look for topics that are multi-dimensional and can be approached from various angles.

In addition, consider the potential impact of the topic. A good cultural identity essay topic should have significance and relevance beyond just the individual writer. It should be able to engage readers and provoke thoughtful discussion.

Overall, a good cultural identity essay topic should be personal, relevant, complex, and impactful. It should allow for in-depth exploration and analysis, and resonate with both the writer and the reader.

Best Cultural Identity Essay Topics

• The impact of globalization on cultural identity
• The role of language in shaping cultural identity
• Cultural appropriation in the fashion industry
• The influence of social media on cultural identity
• The interplay between religion and cultural identity
• The portrayal of cultural identity in literature and film
• The significance of traditional food in cultural identity
• The impact of immigration on cultural identity
• The evolution of cultural identity in the digital age
• The intersection of gender and cultural identity
• The role of education in shaping cultural identity
• The representation of cultural identity in art and music
• The impact of colonialism on cultural identity
• The influence of technology on cultural identity
• The role of family in shaping cultural identity
• The impact of cultural identity on mental health
• The relationship between cultural identity and national identity
• The significance of cultural festivals in shaping identity
• The impact of cultural identity on social justice movements
• The portrayal of cultural identity in the media

Cultural Identity essay topics Prompts

• Imagine a world where cultural identity is completely fluid and constantly changing. How would this impact society and individual experiences?
• Write about a time when you felt a strong connection to your cultural identity. What was the experience like, and how did it shape your sense of self?
• Consider the role of language in shaping cultural identity. How does language influence the way we perceive ourselves and others?
• Explore the concept of cultural hybridity and its impact on individual and collective identity.
• Reflect on the ways in which cultural identity can be both a source of pride and a source of conflict. How can individuals navigate these complexities in today's world?

Choosing a cultural identity essay topic is an important step in the writing process. By considering your own experiences, the complexity of the topic, and its potential impact, you can choose a topic that is both engaging and meaningful. With the recommendations and list of topics provided in this article, you are well-equipped to begin your exploration of cultural identity through writing.

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The Impact of Globalization to Cultural Identity

A topic of cultural identity in gene yang’s american born chinese, the theme of sruggling with cultural identity: the inheritance of loss by karen desi, the connection of food and identity, unique culture of nicaragua, egypt, mexico, and united states: understanding cultural similarities and differences, analyzing cultural systems through a sociologist perspective, benefits of cross-culture awareness, understanding the significance of personal identity, the role of student life in the identity formation, a shared national identity of britain in the period 1830-1951, puerto rican identity in the united states, the culture of canada, the national and cultural identity in children's films toy story 3 and spirited away, experiencing different cultures: my personal experience, living in the czech republic, the role of cultural norm in formulating a person’s identity, african music as a part of social and cultural context, complexities of cultural identity in frozen river, relation of cultural industries and cultural heritage.

Cultural identity is a part of a person's identity, or their self-conception and self-perception, and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture.

There are three pieces that make up a person's cultural identity, these are cultural knowledge, category label, and social connections.

1. Schwartz, S. J., Zamboanga, B. L., & Weisskirch, R. S. (2008). Broadening the study of the self: Integrating the study of personal identity and cultural identity. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(2), 635-651. (https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2008.00077.x) 2. Hall, S. (1989). Cultural identity and cinematic representation. Framework: The Journal of Cinema and Media, (36), 68-81. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/44111666) 3. Bhugra, D. (2004). Migration, distress and cultural identity. British medical bulletin, 69(1), 129-141. (https://academic.oup.com/bmb/article/69/1/129/523340) 4. Jo Hatch, M., & Schultz, M. (1997). Relations between organizational culture, identity and image. European Journal of marketing, 31(5/6), 356-365. (https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/eb060636/full/html) 5. Lucy, S. (2007). Ethnic and cultural identities. In Archaeology of Identity (pp. 96-119). Routledge. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203087572-10/ethnic-cultural-identities-sam-lucy) 6. Karst, K. L. (1985). Paths to belonging: The constitution and cultural identity. NCL Rev., 64, 303. (https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/nclr64&div=21&id=&page=) 7. Otcu, B. (2010). Heritage language maintenance and cultural identity formation: The case of a Turkish Saturday school in New York City. Heritage Language Journal, 7(2), 273-298. (https://brill.com/view/journals/hlj/7/2/article-p273_6.xml) 8. Schachter, E. P. (2005). Context and identity formation: A theoretical analysis and a case study. Journal of Adolescent Research, 20(3), 375-395. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0743558405275172) 9. Hall, S., & Ghazoul, F. (2012). Cultural identity and diaspora. Alif: Journal of Comparative Poetics, (32), 257-258. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA302403835&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=11108673&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E81809ec)

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Cultural Identity

Culture is the shared characteristics of a group of people, which encompasses , place of birth, religion, language, cuisine, social behaviors, art, literature, and music. Some cultures are widespread, and have a large number of people who associate themselves with those particular values, beliefs, and origins. Others are relatively small, with only a small number of people who associate themselves with that culture. However, the value of culture cannot be defined by its size. No matter if a culture is widespread or kept within a small region, is young or old, or has changed over time or stayed the same, every culture can teach us about ourselves, others, and the global community.

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1.2: Understanding Cultural Identity

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• Tammera Stokes Rice
• College of the Canyons

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Learning Objectives

1. Define personal, social, and cultural identities.

2. Summarize non-dominant and dominant identity development.

3. Explain why difference matters in the study of culture and identity.

Personal, Social, and Cultural Identities

Ask yourself the question “Who am I?” We develop a sense of who we are based on what is reflected back on us from other people. Our parents, friends, teachers, and the media help shape our identities. While this happens from birth, most people in Western societies reach a stage in adolescence where maturing cognitive abilities and increased social awareness lead them to begin to reflect on who they are. This begins a lifelong process of thinking about who we are now, who we were before, and who we will become (Tatum, B. D., 2000). Our identities make up an important part of our self-concept and can be broken down into three main categories: personal, social, and cultural identities (see Table “Personal, Social, and Cultural Identities” ).

We must avoid the temptation to think of our identities as constant. Instead, our identities are formed through processes that started before we were born and will continue after we are gone; therefore our identities aren’t something we achieve or complete. Two related but distinct components of our identities are our personal and social identities (Spreckels, J. & Kotthoff, H., 2009). Personal identities include the components of self that are primarily intrapersonal and connected to our life experiences. For example, I consider myself a puzzle lover, and you may identify as a fan of hip-hop music. Our social identities are the components of self that are derived from involvement in social groups with which we are interpersonally committed.

Table 2.1 Personal, Social, and Cultural Identities

For example, we may derive aspects of our social identity from our family or from a community of fans for a sports team. Social identities differ from personal identities because they are externally organized through membership. Our membership may be voluntary (Greek organization on campus) or involuntary (family) and explicit (we pay dues to our labor union) or implicit (we purchase and listen to hip-hop music). There are innumerous options for personal and social identities. While our personal identity choices express who we are, our social identities align us with particular groups. Through our social identities, we make statements about who we are and who we are not.

Personal identities may change often as people have new experiences and develop new interests and hobbies. A current interest in online video games may give way to an interest in graphic design. Social identities do not change as often because they take more time to develop, as you must become interpersonally invested. For example, if an interest in online video games leads someone to become a member of a MMORPG, or a massively multiplayer online role-playing game community, that personal identity has led to a social identity that is now interpersonal and more entrenched. Cultural identities are based on socially constructed categories that teach us a way of being and include expectations for social behavior or ways of acting (Yep, G. A., 2002). Since we are often a part of them since birth, cultural identities are the least changeable of the three. The ways of being and the social expectations for behavior within cultural identities do change over time, but what separates them from most social identities is their historical roots (Collier, M. J., 1996). For example, think of how ways of being and acting have changed for African Americans since the civil rights movement. Additionally, common ways of being and acting within a cultural identity group are expressed through communication. In order to be accepted as a member of a cultural group, members must be acculturated, essentially learning and using a code that other group members will be able to recognize. We are acculturated into our various cultural identities in obvious and less obvious ways. We may literally have a parent or friend tell us what it means to be a man or a woman. We may also unconsciously consume messages from popular culture that offer representations of gender.

Any of these identity types can be ascribed or avowed . Ascribed identities are personal, social, or cultural identities that are placed on us by others, while avowed identities are those that we claim for ourselves (Martin & Nakayama, 2010). Sometimes people ascribe an identity to someone else based on stereotypes. You may see a person who likes to read science-fiction books, watches documentaries, has glasses, and collects Star Trek memorabilia and label him or her a nerd. If the person doesn’t avow that identity, it can create friction, and that label may even hurt the other person’s feelings. But ascribed and avowed identities can match up. To extend the previous example, there has been a movement in recent years to reclaim the label nerd and turn it into a positive, and a nerd subculture has been growing in popularity. For example, MC Frontalot, a leader in the nerdcore hip-hop movement, says that being branded a nerd in school was terrible, but now he raps about “nerdy” things like blogs to sold-out crowds (Shipman, 2007). We can see from this example that our ascribed and avowed identities change over the course of our lives, and sometimes they match up and sometimes not.

Although some identities are essentially permanent, the degree to which we are aware of them, also known as salience, changes. The intensity with which we avow an identity also changes based on context. For example, an African American may not have difficulty deciding which box to check on the demographic section of a survey. But if an African American becomes president of her college’s Black Student Union, she may more intensely avow her African American identity, which has now become more salient. If she studies abroad in Africa her junior year, she may be ascribed an identity of American by her new African friends rather than African American. For the Africans, their visitor’s identity as American is likely more salient than her identity as someone of African descent. If someone is biracial or multiracial, they may change their racial identification as they engage in an identity search. One intercultural communication scholar writes of his experiences as an “Asianlatinoamerican” (Yep, 2002). He notes repressing his Chinese identity as an adolescent living in Peru and then later embracing his Chinese identity and learning about his family history while in college in the United States. This example shows how even national identity fluctuates. Obviously one can change nationality by becoming a citizen of another country, although most people do not. My identity as a US American became very salient for me for the first time in my life when I studied abroad in Sweden.

Throughout modern history, cultural and social influences have established dominant and non-dominant groups (Allen, 2011). Dominant identities historically had and currently have more resources and influence, while non-dominant identities historically had and currently have less resources and influence. It’s important to remember that these distinctions are being made at the societal level, not the individual level. There are obviously exceptions, with people in groups considered non-dominant obtaining more resources and power than a person in a dominant group. However, the overall trend is that difference based on cultural groups has been institutionalized, and exceptions do not change this fact. Because of this uneven distribution of resources and power, members of dominant groups are granted privileges while non-dominant groups are at a disadvantage. The main non-dominant groups must face various forms of institutionalized discrimination, including racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ableism. As we will discuss later, privilege and disadvantage, like similarity and difference, are not “all or nothing.” No two people are completely different or completely similar, and no one person is completely privileged or completely disadvantaged.

Identity Development

There are multiple models for examining identity development. Given our focus on how difference matters, we will examine similarities and differences in non-dominant and dominant identity formation. While the stages in this model help us understand how many people experience their identities, identity development is complex, and there may be variations. We must also remember that people have multiple identities that intersect with each other. So, as you read, think about how circumstances may be different for an individual with multiple nondominant and/or dominant identities.

Non-dominant Identity Development

There are four stages of nondominant identity development (Martin & Nakayama, 2010). The first stage is unexamined identity, which is characterized by a lack of awareness of or lack of interest in one’s identity. For example, a young woman who will later identify as a lesbian may not yet realize that a nondominant sexual orientation is part of her identity. Also, a young African American man may question his teachers or parents about the value of what he’s learning during Black History Month. When a person’s lack of interest in their own identity is replaced by an investment in a dominant group’s identity, they may move to the next stage, which is conformity.

In the conformity stage, an individual internalizes or adopts the values and norms of the dominant group, often in an effort not to be perceived as different. Individuals may attempt to assimilate into the dominant culture by changing their appearance, their mannerisms, the way they talk, or even their name. Moises, a Chicano man interviewed in a research project about identities, narrated how he changed his “Mexican sounding” name to Moses, which was easier for his middle-school classmates and teachers to say (Jones Jr., 2009). He also identified as white instead of Mexican American or Chicano because he saw how his teachers treated the other kids with “brown skin.” Additionally, some gay or lesbian people in this stage of identity development may try to “act straight.” In either case, some people move to the next stage, resistance and separation, when they realize that despite their efforts they are still perceived as different by and not included in the dominant group.

In the resistance and separation stage, an individual with a nondominant identity may shift away from the conformity of the previous stage to engage in actions that challenge the dominant identity group. Individuals in this stage may also actively try to separate themselves from the dominant group, interacting only with those who share their nondominant identity. For example, there has been a Deaf culture movement in the United States for decades. This movement includes people who are hearing impaired and believe that their use of a specific language, American Sign Language (ASL), and other cultural practices constitutes a unique culture, which they symbolize by capitalizing the D in Deaf (Allen, 2011).

While this is not a separatist movement, a person who is hearing impaired may find refuge in such a group after experiencing discrimination from hearing people. Staying in this stage may indicate a lack of critical thinking if a person endorses the values of the nondominant group without question.

The integration stage marks a period where individuals with a nondominant identity have achieved a balance between embracing their own identities and valuing other dominant and nondominant identities. Although there may still be residual anger from the discrimination and prejudice they have faced, they may direct this energy into positive outlets such as working to end discrimination for their own or other groups. Moises, the Chicano man I mentioned earlier, now works to support the Chicano community in his city and also has actively supported gay rights and women’s rights.

Dominant Identity Development

Dominant identity development consists of five stages (Martin & Nakayama, 2010). The unexamined stage of dominant identity formation is similar to nondominant in that individuals in this stage do not think about their or others’ identities. Although they may be aware of differences—for example, between races and genders—they either don’t realize there is a hierarchy that treats some people differently than others or they don’t think the hierarchy applies to them. For example, a white person may take notice that a person of color was elected to a prominent office. However, he or she may not see the underlying reason that it is noticeable—namely, that the overwhelming majority of our country’s leaders are white. Unlike people with a nondominant identity who usually have to acknowledge the positioning of their identity due to discrimination and prejudice they encounter, people with dominant identities may stay in the unexamined stage for a long time.

In the acceptance stage, a person with a dominant identity passively or actively accepts that some people are treated differently than others but doesn’t do anything internally or externally to address it. In the passive acceptance stage, we must be cautious not to blame individuals with dominant identities for internalizing racist, sexist, or heterosexist “norms.” The socializing institutions we discussed earlier (family, peers, media, religion, and education) often make oppression seem normal and natural. For example, I have had students who struggle to see that they are in this stage say things like “I know that racism exists, but my parents taught me to be a good person and see everyone as equal.” While this is admirable, seeing everyone as equal doesn’t make it so. And people who insist that we are all equal may claim that minorities are exaggerating their circumstances or “whining” and just need to “work harder” or “get over it.” The person making these statements acknowledges difference but doesn’t see their privilege or the institutional perpetuation of various “-isms.” Although I’ve encountered many more people in the passive state of acceptance than the active state, some may progress to an active state where they acknowledge inequality and are proud to be in the “superior” group. In either case, many people never progress from this stage. If they do, it’s usually because of repeated encounters with individuals or situations that challenge their acceptance of the status quo, such as befriending someone from a nondominant group or taking a course related to culture.

The resistance stage of dominant identity formation is a major change from the previous in that an individual acknowledges the unearned advantages they are given and feels guilt or shame about it. Having taught about various types of privilege for years, I’ve encountered many students who want to return their privilege or disown it. These individuals may begin to disassociate with their own dominant group because they feel like a curtain has been opened and their awareness of the inequality makes it difficult for them to interact with others in their dominant group. But it’s important to acknowledge that becoming aware of your white privilege, for instance, doesn’t mean that every person of color is going to want to accept you as an ally, so retreating to them may not be the most productive move. While moving to this step is a marked improvement in regards to becoming a more aware and socially just person, getting stuck in the resistance stage isn’t productive, because people are often retreating rather than trying to address injustice. For some, deciding to share what they’ve learned with others who share their dominant identity moves them to the next stage.

People in the redefinition stage revise negative views of their identity held in the previous stage and begin to acknowledge their privilege and try to use the power they are granted to work for social justice. They realize that they can claim their dominant identity as heterosexual, able-bodied, male, white, and so on, and perform their identity in ways that counter norms. A male participant in a research project on identity said the following about redefining his male identity:

I don’t want to assert my maleness the same way that maleness is asserted all around us all the time. I don’t want to contribute to sexism. So I have to be conscious of that. There’s that guilt. But then, I try to utilize my maleness in positive ways, like when I’m talking to other men about male privilege (Jones, Jr., 2009).

The final stage of dominant identity formation is integration. This stage is reached when redefinition is complete and people can integrate their dominant identity into all aspects of their life, finding opportunities to educate others about privilege while also being a responsive ally to people in nondominant identities. As an example, some heterosexual people who find out a friend or family member is gay or lesbian may have to confront their dominant heterosexual identity for the first time, which may lead them through these various stages. As a sign of integration, some may join an organization like PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), where they can be around others who share their dominant identity as heterosexuals but also empathize with their loved ones.

Knowing more about various types of identities and some common experiences of how dominant and nondominant identities are formed prepares us to delve into more specifics about why difference matters.

Difference Matters

Whenever we encounter someone, we notice similarities and differences. While both are important, it is often the differences that are highlighted and that contribute to communication troubles. We don’t only see similarities and differences on an individual level. In fact, we also place people into in-groups and out-groups based on the similarities and differences we perceive. This is important because we then tend to react to someone we perceive as a member of an out-group based on the characteristics we attach to the group rather than the individual (Allen, 2011). In these situations, it is more likely that stereotypes and prejudice will influence our communication. Learning about difference and why it matters will help us be more competent communicators. The flip side of emphasizing difference is to claim that no differences exist and that you see everyone as a human being. Rather than trying to ignore difference and see each person as a unique individual, we should know the history of how differences came to be so socially and culturally significant and how they continue to affect us today.

Culture and identity are complex. You may be wondering how some groups came to be dominant and others nondominant. These differences are not natural, which can be seen as we unpack how various identities have changed over time in the next section. There is, however, an ideology of domination that makes it seem natural and normal to many that some people or groups will always have power over others (Allen, 2011). In fact, hierarchy and domination, although prevalent throughout modern human history, were likely not the norm among early humans. So one of the first reasons difference matters is that people and groups are treated unequally, and better understanding how those differences came to be can help us create a more just society. Difference also matters because demographics and patterns of interaction are changing.

In the United States, the population of people of color is increasing and diversifying, and visibility for people who are gay or lesbian and people with disabilities has also increased. The 2010 Census shows that the Hispanic and Latino/a populations in the United States are now the second largest group in the country, having grown 43 percent since the last census in 2000 (Saenz, 2011). By 2030, racial and ethnic minorities will account for one-third of the population (Allen, 2011). Additionally, legal and social changes have created a more open environment for sexual minorities and people with disabilities. These changes directly affect our interpersonal relationships. The workplace is one context where changing demographics has become increasingly important. Many organizations are striving to comply with changing laws by implementing policies aimed at creating equal access and opportunity. Some organizations are going further than legal compliance to try to create inclusive climates where diversity is valued because of the interpersonal and economic benefits it has the potential to produce.

“Getting Real”- Diversity Training

Businesses in the United States spend $200 to $300 million a year on diversity training, but is it effective? (Vedantam, 2008). If diversity training is conducted to advance a company’s business goals and out of an understanding of the advantages that a diversity of background and thought offer a company, then the training is more likely to be successful. Many companies conduct mandatory diversity training based on a belief that they will be in a better position in court if a lawsuit is brought against them. However, research shows that training that is mandatory and undertaken only to educate people about the legal implications of diversity is ineffective and may even hurt diversity efforts. A commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace environment must include a multipronged approach. Experts recommend that a company put a staff person in charge of diversity efforts, and some businesses have gone as far as appointing a “chief diversity officer” (Cullen, 2007). The US Office of Personnel Management offers many good guidelines for conducting diversity training: create learning objectives related to the mission of the organization, use tested and appropriate training methods and materials, provide information about course content and expectations to employees ahead of training, provide the training in a supportive and noncoercive environment, use only experienced and qualified instructors, and monitor/evaluate training and revise as needed (US Office of Personnel Management, 2011). With these suggestions in mind, the increasingly common “real-world” event of diversity training is more likely to succeed.

1. Have you ever participated in any diversity training? If so, what did you learn or take away from the training? Which of the guidelines listed did your training do well or poorly on?

2. Do you think diversity training should be mandatory or voluntary? Why?

3. From what you’ve learned so far in this book, what communication skills are important for a diversity trainer to have?

We can now see that difference matters due to the inequalities that exist among cultural groups and due to changing demographics that affect our personal and social relationships. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that may impede our valuing of difference (Allen, 2011). Individuals with dominant identities may not validate the experiences of those in nondominant groups because they do not experience the oppression directed at those with nondominant identities. Further, they may find it difficult to acknowledge that not being aware of this oppression is due to privilege associated with their dominant identities. Because of this lack of recognition of oppression, members of dominant groups may minimize, dismiss, or question the experiences of nondominant groups and view them as “complainers” or “whiners.” Recall from our earlier discussion of identity formation that people with dominant identities may stay in the unexamined or acceptance stages for a long time. Being stuck in these stages makes it much more difficult to value difference.

Members of nondominant groups may have difficulty valuing difference due to negative experiences with the dominant group, such as not having their experiences validated. Both groups may be restrained from communicating about difference due to norms of political correctness, which may make people feel afraid to speak up because they may be perceived as insensitive or racist. All these obstacles are common and they are valid. However, as we will learn later, developing intercultural communication competence can help us gain new perspectives, become more mindful of our communication, and intervene in some of these negative cycles.

Key Takeaways

• Culture is an ongoing negotiation of learned patterns of beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviors.
• Personal identities are components of self that are primarily intrapersonal and connect to our individual interests and life experiences.
• Social identities are components of self that are derived from our involvement in social groups to which we are interpersonally invested.
• Cultural identities are components of self based on socially constructed categories that teach us a way of being and include expectations for our thoughts and behaviors.
• Nondominant identity formation may include a person moving from unawareness of the importance of their identities, to adopting the values of dominant society, to separating from dominant society, to integrating components of identities.
• Dominant identity formation may include a person moving from unawareness of their identities, to accepting the identity hierarchy, to separation from and guilt regarding the dominant group, to redefining and integrating components of identities.
• Difference matters because people are treated differently based on their identities and demographics and patterns of interaction are changing. Knowing why and how this came to be and how to navigate our increasingly diverse society can make us more competent communicators.
• List some of your personal, social, and cultural identities. Are there any that relate? If so, how? For your cultural identities, which ones are dominant and which ones are nondominant? What would a person who looked at this list be able to tell about you?
• Describe a situation in which someone ascribed an identity to you that didn’t match with your avowed identities. Why do you think the person ascribed the identity to you? Were there any stereotypes involved?
• Getting integrated: Review the section that explains why difference matters. Discuss the ways in which difference may influence how you communicate in each of the following contexts: academic, professional, and personal.

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Electrifying guide to a cultural identity essay.

“The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.” A simple statement but carrying worth centuries and decades of wisdom. In layman’s language, the account would mean that without diversity, then the world would be one boring place to stay.

Imagine the world with only men, or women, or even animals from one place alone. It wouldn’t have been impressive as it is now with people from all walks of life. And robots are also joining the community, adding to the diversity of this blooming planet, earth. 

So, what is culture? Simply put, it denotes the ways of life of different people. It can be in various aspects, such as the following:

• Social relations

These are just but a few of how different people differ from each other. Now, to what brought you here, what is a cultural identity essay?

Definition of a Cultural Identity Essay

A cultural identity paper is one that brings out the identity of a person concerning the place where they grew up, religion, economic, or family status. Cultural identity, therefore, means a group of people that one can identify within his/her essay. But wait, there’s more!

Structure of a Cultural Identity Essay

Essays about cultural identity take the same format as other types of academic essay assignments. So, what’s the catch?

The main difference between a cultural identity essay and the other types is that it, unlike the others, it uses the first-person pronoun (I and We). 

To add on that, hardly will students be required to do citations of sources because this paper is more of personal experiences. Students will, therefore, need to have substantial background information to come up with an outstanding cultural identity paper.

The MLA formatting style takes center stage in this type of essay. One would need to be creative enough and have sufficient information to convince the reader. Here are some sources you could use for your cultural identity essay:

• Your parents (preferably the grandparents)
• Television documentaries on culture
• History books in libraries

Bear in mind that all these sources should be operating or found in your national or locality. Let me tell you why.

People who are from a particular area understand their culture and heritage than those from outside. Can a visitor to come to your house for the first time and know what is under your bed? I bet no. 

The crucial differences which distinguish human societies and human beings are not biological. They are cultural. Ruth Benedict.

Are you ready for some cultural identity essay ideas? Then, move that scroll wheel downwards.

Cultural Identity Essay Ideas for You!

The ideas are so many ideas that you can choose from for your essay on cultural identity. A starting point would be asking yourself, “What is my cultural identity?”. You can consider the following ideas:

• An experience that you went through
• The story behind a specific famous locality
• The impact of a particular culture
• A common practice among people and where it originated from
• Think of one particular language and trace its roots
• How have the people around you influenced you?
• What kinds of food do you eat differently from others, and why?
• How do you feel when sited with a person of a different race?
• How do you dress, and why?
• The impact your religion has had on you
• What activities did you engage in as a child?

Again the ideas are not limited to what I have listed above. Have you ever watched a football derby, let’s say between Barcelona and Real Madrid? Do you see the number of spectators in attendance? Well, the ideas for essays about identity are more than that.

You may also make use of the numerous cultural identity essay examples found on the internet to generate more ideas. We advise you to take a look at racism essay topics .

And as if that’s not enough, let me share some tips that will help a long way in cranking up your next cultural identity essay.

Great Tips for an Excellent Essay on Cultural Identity

Let’s get down to them right away.

• Significant on personal experiences unless stated otherwise
• Make use of linking words
• Use vivid description
• MLA formatting
• Don’t assume, every detail matters

Although these are general tips, their application in your essay will make a high impact on your grades. Now, this is important.

How Would you Describe your Cultural Identity?

A vivid description of the use of personal experiences is the most recommended way that you can use.

What Are Examples of Cultural Identity?

They include nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, and locality, just but a few to mention.

Why is Having a Cultural Identity Important?

It gives people a sense of belonging to a particular social or ethnic group. Cultural identity also contributes to acknowledging and balancing the beliefs and values of other people and their cultures.

Difference Between Culture and Identity?

Culture is a way of life of a particular group of people, whereas identity is the knowledge of who you are as a person. 

It is as simple and straightforward as that. A cultural identity essay would not take you more than an hour to complete with the tips and outline given above. Take one of the recommended ideas above and start writing an essay on it. You will be amazed at how far you’ve improved your skills in cultural identity essays.

We know that writing an essay for your college assignment would prove tough for you, especially without an excellent writing service . Dubious websites would lure you into giving them your work and later disappoint you with low quality work at high rates. However, with us, we offer professional writers with years of expertise and a proven track record from our thousands of clients.

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5.3: Writing about Race, Ethnic, and Cultural Identity: A Process Approach

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To review, race, ethnic, and cultural identity theory provides us with a particular lens to use when we read and interpret works of literature. Such reading and interpreting, however, never happens after just a first reading; in fact, all critics reread works multiple times before venturing an interpretation. You can see, then, the connection between reading and writing: as Chapter 1 indicates, writers create multiple drafts before settling for a finished product. The writing process, in turn, is dependent on the multiple rereadings you have performed to gather evidence for your essay. It’s important that you integrate the reading and writing process together. As a model, use the following ten-step plan as you write using race, ethnic, and cultural identity theory:

• Carefully read the work you will analyze.
• Formulate a general question after your initial reading that identifies a problem—a tension—related to a historical or cultural issue.
• Reread the work , paying particular attention to the question you posed. Take notes, which should be focused on your central question. Write an exploratory journal entry or blog post that allows you to play with ideas.
• What does the work mean?
• How does the work demonstrate the theme you’ve identified using a new historical approach?
• “So what” is significant about the work? That is, why is it important for you to write about this work? What will readers learn from reading your interpretation? How does the theory you apply illuminate the work’s meaning?
• Reread the text to gather textual evidence for support.
• Construct an informal outline that demonstrates how you will support your interpretation.
• Write a first draft.
• Receive feedback from peers and your instructor via peer review and conferencing with your instructor (if possible).
• Revise the paper , which will include revising your original thesis statement and restructuring your paper to best support the thesis. Note: You probably will revise many times, so it is important to receive feedback at every draft stage if possible.
• Edit and proofread for correctness, clarity, and style.

We recommend that you follow this process for every paper that you write from this textbook. Of course, these steps can be modified to fit your writing process, but the plan does ensure that you will engage in a thorough reading of the text as you work through the writing process, which demands that you allow plenty of time for reading, reflecting, writing, reviewing, and revising.

Peer Reviewing

A central stage in the writing process is the feedback stage, in which you receive revision suggestions from classmates and your instructor. By receiving feedback on your paper, you will be able to make more intelligent revision decisions. Furthermore, by reading and responding to your peers’ papers, you become a more astute reader, which will help when you revise your own papers. In Chapter 10, you will find peer-review sheets for each chapter.

What is a cultural identity essay, and how to write one?

Writing an essay is one of the most common assignments that students encounter in colleges and universities. Also, students need to write an essay during their admissions as the academic institution is much interested in knowing more about the student and the background that they come from. One of the essential types of essays in this sphere is a cultural identity essay. But what exactly is cultural identity?

Cultural identity refers to the factors like race, religious background, customs, traditions, etc., followed by a person. It is not only based on belonging to a certain background, but the cultural identity also influences the similarities that students might have with other group members, including habits, customs, beliefs, faith, etc. Now that we are clear with what cultural identity is let us look at how to essay it.

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The structure and goal of a cultural identity essay Like any other personal essay, a cultural identity essay will help you express your personality and demonstrate what kind of a person you are. It should reflect what makes you unique and should effectively demonstrate your strengths and academic potential. A cultural identity essay will also help to encompass your cultural influences and the driving philosophies and beliefs.

It helps the reader understand what makes you focused and unique. For example, when writing on being an Indian, the faith and traditions you grew up with and how they were responsible for shaping your personality should be discussed. Additionally, write about your religious beliefs and everything it entails discussing the prevalent traditions, rituals, and beliefs in your community.

The structure of a cultural identity essay The structure of such an essay follows the basic structure just like any other essay. The length depends on the information you wish to share. Typically, it should be around 5 paragraphs long; however, the length requirement is dependent on the school or university. It is an overview of the major elements of the essay.

• Introduction: The section should be used to introduce you to the reader. Tell the audience about your cultural background and how it has influenced you into becoming the person you are today. The introduction length is determined by the total length of the essay and should not be more than 10 per cent of the total word count. Ensure not to tell everything in this section and wait until the later sections to reveal more information.
• Thesis: It is technically the last sentence of the introduction section. However, due to its importance, it should be separated from the other sections. It will prove an argumentative point that you wish to prove and will reflect the purpose of the work. For example, is your focus based on being an African American? Use the thesis to mention it and how it has affected you.
• Body: The main section of the essay that you would want to use to disclose all the major information about your cultural background. Break it down into proper subsections for better organisation. The body paragraph should not extend more than 5 pages or 1500 words for a cultural identity essay. If your essay is a short one, the body section should have a minimum of one section. Provide logical connections between the different sections of the body paragraphs. Show how different beliefs and cultures have shaped your personality and their influence on you while growing up. Enhance better readability by introducing appropriate opening and closing sentences.
• Conclusion: Use this section to revise the major points mentioned in the essay and emphasise the thesis to express how it has shaped you while growing up.

Tips for writing an effective cultural identity essay: Here are some tips to keep in mind while writing your cultural identity essay and can be extremely helpful in writing an effective essay.

• Choosing focus: Before starting the essay, you need to understand your cultural identity and select a topic based on it. Ensure to pick a topic that resonates well with you. The more passionate you are about the topic, the more compelling your essay will be.
• Brainstorming ideas: Contrary to popular belief, figuring out what has influenced your personality requires a lot of thought. It is an important step that you cannot afford to miss. It will help you list out all the essential aspects of your cultural identity, helping you to outline them when writing the essay properly.
• Create an outline: Before you start writing, ensure to develop a rough outline to figure out the logical placement of information. It is very useful since it helps you remember every key point that needs to be added to the different sections of the cultural identity essay. Stick to the outline when writing the essay to have a cohesive essay.
• Describe: Use personal experiences to describe their effects on your personality. It will help the readers to correlate your experiences with your background strongly. When starting a unique ethnic identity, simply stating it is not enough; you will need to provide as many details as you can recall.
• Use transition words: Transition words help to maintain the logical flow of your essay. Use the proper opening and closing sentences in each paragraph to enhance readability. Use transition words to bridge the gap between your ideas to give them a logical and semantic flow. Do not randomly present facts and instead use a logical sequence. Use different paragraphs to focus on different ideas to make the essay flow smoothly.
• Stay personal: With cultural identity essays, the main focus is on you and therefore, you need to be as personal as possible to give the best insight into who you are. Do not shy away from expressing personal experiences with the reader to develop a deeper connection.
• Proofread: Just like any other essay, proofreading is a crucial step that you cannot avoid. Take your time to revise the essay and spot any mistakes with spelling or grammar. Ensure to remove all errors before you submit the essay.

Cultural identity essays: Common points of focus There are several aspects of your cultural background that you can choose to focus on in your essay. For example, you can write about your gender and how it influenced your experiences while growing up. Religion can also be chosen as a point of focus. You can also choose to focus on language and customs that have shaped your growing years, and focusing on language can be a great idea if you speak more than one language. Choose any powerful experience to share in your cultural identity essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cultural identity essay.

A cultural identity essay is a personal statement essay that explores the student’s cultural backgrounds and their effect on their personality.

When do you need to write a cultural identity essay?

Cultural identity essays are an important part of college or university admission processes that help the board understand the candidate’s personality.

What is the basic structure of a cultural identity essay?

Just like other academic essays, a cultural identity essay can be divided into four distinct parts. These include the introduction, thesis, body and conclusion.

How long should the cultural identity essay introduction section be?

The introduction section of a cultural identity essay should be limited to around 10 per cent of the total word count.

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Understanding Cultural Diversity and Diverse Identities

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals ((ENUNSDG))

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Cross-cultural communication ; Dialogue ; Multiculturalism ; Pluralism

Definitions

Cultural diversity is a debatable, open-ended term, which generally refers to a reality of coexistence of diverse knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, religions, languages, abilities and disabilities, genders, ethnicities, races, nationalities, sexual orientations, etc., of human beings. It could extend to the way people react to this reality and the way people choose to live together with this reality.

Cultural Diversity and Identity

Introduction.

People are divided by several factitious categories and partitions, such as identity politics, around the world where all cultural groups feel their members are to some extent being attacked, bullied, persecuted, and discriminated against. Whether people admit it or not, and whether government hide it or not, it is a fact that people are full of diversity in terms of gender, social class, ethnicity, race, language, abilities and disabilities,...

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Anabela Marisa Azul

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Luciana Brandli

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International Centre for Thriving, University of Chester, Chester, UK

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Theam Foo Ng

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Lin, C. (2019). Understanding Cultural Diversity and Diverse Identities. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P., Wall, T. (eds) Quality Education. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69902-8_37-1

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What is Cultural Identity and Why is it Important?

• by Victoria Wilson

If you have ever found yourself baffled by someone’s response to a situation, you have seen the effects of cultural identity. This can be especially perplexing when the situation seems benign to you, but the other person has an extremely negative or positive response. But what is cultural identity and why does it matter?

Culture, in this context, refers to the beliefs, norms, behaviors, and values that a given group of people deem acceptable. Whereas identity is about knowing what is acceptable and true for yourself. We form a cultural identity when we subconsciously interpret and incorporate signals from the world around us into our own identity so we can belong. Therefore:

Your cultural identity is a critical piece of your personal identity (and worldview) that develops as you absorb, interpret, and adopt (or reject) the beliefs, values, behaviors, and norms of the communities in your life.

Our cultural identity can evolve, as culture is ever-evolving and dynamic. And while there are people who progress through life without ever thinking about their cultural identity, it is something we tend to become aware of when it’s challenged. This typically happens when we find ourselves in parts of the world or among groups with different cultural norms. Our cultural identity is important because it influences how we interpret and react to such situations, which can affect how successful we are in life.

What Defines and Shapes a Person’s Cultural Identity?

Anytime a group of people unites toward a common objective, a culture begins to form. No matter how large or small the group, there are beliefs, norms, values, and behaviors that emerge. 

What makes culture complicated is that many of these defining characteristics go unspoken. The group unconsciously develops certain standards for what is normal and acceptable based on social cues. Then, through our continual exposure to the group, we begin to accept these standards as part of our cultural identity. 

Important parts of your cultural identity are shaped due to your affiliation with any number of groups or cultural patterns, some of which we (as a culture) assign to you at birth, such as your:

• family of origin 
• local community
• physical ability
• nationality

Other contributions to your cultural identity occur as you navigate your life and the social constructs (aka social constructions) around you. As you have experiences or develop skills and interests, you join and leave certain communities because you have or lack commonality with their group members. As your life unfolds, you may become involved with many groups including:

• educational institutions
• professional organizations
• social clubs
• online communities
• political or special interest groups
• support groups 

To complicate matters further, certain situations and contexts provide an additional filter that allows unique elements of your cultural identity to emerge. For example, if you were born to a family that encouraged you to go to college and pursue a career in science, you might accept this path, join the physics club, and absorb the standards of that group into your own identity. This is completely normal. Humans are social animals, which means we depend on each other for survival. It’s natural, even necessary , for us to seek a sense of belonging and to look for cultural groups who will accept us for who we are. The challenge arises when we become so fixated on gaining status with our groups that we fail to notice when they aren’t serving us or resist opportunities that arise. 

Myths Around Cultural Identity

I often encounter three big myths about cultural identity in my work with clients. And I find that it is critical that we identify and address these myths before my client is ready to move forward. 

The first myth is that our cultural identity is fixed, which simply isn’t true. It is dynamic and it evolves as we affiliate ourselves with different groups. Think about some of the beliefs you had as a child that have since changed. This happens due to our exposure to new ways of thinking and as we absorb whatever resonates for us into our cultural identity.

The second myth I often hear is that some of us don’t have a cultural identity at all. The reality is that everyone has one. However, many of us are unaware of our own cultural identity and how it influences every single aspect of our life.  

The final, and perhaps most dangerous myth, is that our own cultural identity is mainstream, i.e., many of us believe we interpret situations the same way others do. When this is the case, our desire to understand the world can result in the creation of mental shortcuts that influence how we interact with someone who has a cultural identity that’s different from ours. 

The danger of these shortcuts is that they can lead to generalizing and stereotyping. When this occurs, we prejudge people as “friend or foe,” the latter of which can trigger a “fight or flight” response and cripple our ability to have meaningful, healthy, and productive interactions.

When I work with clients, I help them unravel their assumptions about what is normal, right, and true for them. But before we can get to work, it’s important that they understand the strength of cultural influences and how they shape our worldview so they can begin to recognize them in their own life and challenge them as they make decisions about their futures.

Why is Cultural Identity Important? 

Our cultural identity influences how we interpret and react to situations, so it is important that we become aware of our own identity in relation to the world around us. Since we have an innate craving to feel a sense of belonging to a group, when we are under stress we tend to subconsciously revert to whatever behaviors make us “feel” safe and accepted. In doing so, we set up invisible barriers within ourselves and between ourselves and others that impact personal interactions, professional performance, and organizational success . 

In my professional life, I’ve seen conflicts arise due to fundamentally different viewpoints and a  lack of understanding about the effect of cultural identities. When we develop an awareness of how our identities can act as a catalyst or barrier for growth, we unlock our true potential.

There may also be times in our lives when our own cultural identity comes into conflict with what we encounter in the world around us or what we feel within ourselves to be true. For instance, the person who pursued a career in science (from our example earlier) might eventually have this experience because instead of finding a career path that felt right to them , they did what their family expected of them. This tension, which is often called a cultural identity crisis, can create discomfort and even distress. 

How to Cope With a Cultural Identity Crisis 

Should you experience a cultural identity crisis, you may feel a natural tendency to ignore or blame other factors for the conflict. However, it is important to pay attention to yourself and to examine the cultural conditioning that formed your cultural identity in the first place. Here are three things you can do to begin this process:

• Pause and begin building your awareness around your own cultural identity. Our Identifying Your Cultural Contributors worksheet can help you get started.
• How has my cultural identity affected my reaction to this situation? 
• What influencers have contributed to building my identity in relation to this situation? 
• Does my cultural identity truly reflect the person I want to be going forward? 
• If the tension is with another person, try looking at things from their perspective. What influencers and cultural contributors might have impacted the way the other person is approaching the situation?
• Finally, come up with 1-2 actionable steps to address the situation, then commit to reflecting on your own identity regularly. This could be as simple as taking 5-10 minutes each month to revisit the worksheets listed above and considering how any new groups in your life (such as new social groups or a change in employment) are contributing to the growth and evolution of your identity. 

The Bottom Line

Your cultural identity is critical to your success because it influences the way you interpret and react to the world around you. Building an awareness of your identity can help you gain a better understanding of the unique contributions you have to offer, both personally and professionally while shedding light on your blind spots. For additional insight, we’d invite you to visit our resources page for more exercises.

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About the author.

Victoria Shiroma Wilson, Ed.D., P.C.C.

Victoria Shiroma Wilson, Ed.D., P.C.C., is the founder of Exceptional Futures, a provider of frameworks that help people tap into the power of their cultural identities to answer some of life’s biggest questions. Victoria is on the teaching faculty at Duke University and earned her doctoral degree in Global Leadership from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University, and a master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Research: What Is American Identity and Why Does It Matter?

Why Does the American Identity Matter?

The most important reason for understanding American identity is related to white racial identification. It may not be prevalent in U.S. political attitudes, but it’s still an issue. A survey from 2012 asked white respondents to indicate if whiteness represented the way they thought of themselves most of the time, as opposed to identifying themselves as Americans . One fifth of the survey’s white respondents said that they preferred the term white to American when identifying themselves.

How to Analyze American Identity

• There’s no such thing as a universal identity, especially for an omni-cultural country such as the USA.
• Everyone has their own understanding of what it means to be American today, as citizens come from different religious, ethnic, ideological, and geographical backgrounds.
• Explaining the concept of American identity calls for an inclusive approach based on solidarity.
• Depending on how you discuss the concept, an academic essay may require arguments on modern-day immigration and immigrant policies. How do they fit within the common understanding of American identity?

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Cultural identity

Desired outcomes.

New Zealanders have a strong national identity and a sense of belonging, and value cultural diversity. Everybody is able to pass their cultural traditions on to future generations. Māori culture is valued, practised and protected.

Introduction Top

Culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social groups such as those based on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests. Cultural identity is important for people’s sense of self and how they relate to others. A strong cultural identity can contribute to people’s overall wellbeing.

Cultural identity based on ethnicity is not necessarily exclusive. People may identify themselves as New Zealanders in some circumstances and as part of a particular culture (eg Māori, Chinese or Scottish) in other circumstances. They may also identify with more than one culture.

The desired outcomes statement recognises the importance of a shared national identity and sense of belonging, and the value of cultural, social and ethnic diversity. It recognises New Zealand is a multicultural society, while also acknowledging that Māori culture has a unique place. For example, under the Treaty of Waitangi, the Crown has an obligation to protect the Māori language.

Defining a national identity is not simple. New Zealand is a diverse nation, made up of many cultural groups, with many different customs and traditions. While people may describe themselves as “New Zealanders”, how they define their “New Zealand-ness” will vary from person to person. For example, some people might see a New Zealand identity in aspects of New Zealand history or in New Zealand achievements in sporting, artistic or other endeavours, while others might see it through a sense of national characteristics or traits, or through national symbols and icons. Māori culture may form one aspect of national identity, since it is both unique to New Zealand and a part of its identity in the outside world.

Cultural identity is an important contributor to people’s wellbeing. Identifying with a particular culture helps people feel they belong and gives them a sense of security. An established cultural identity has also been linked with positive outcomes in areas such as health and education. It provides access to social networks, which provide support and shared values and aspirations. Social networks can help to break down barriers and build a sense of trust between people – a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “social capital”.

However, strong cultural identity expressed in the wrong way can contribute to barriers between groups. Members of smaller cultural groups can feel excluded from society if others obstruct, or are intolerant of, their cultural practices.

Indicators Top

Four headline indicators are used in this report to provide a snapshot of the health of New Zealand’s cultural identity. They are local content programming on New Zealand television; Māori language speakers; language retention; and the ability to be yourself in New Zealand.

The first indicator is the share of New Zealand content programming on free-to-air television. Since television is the dominant cultural medium for many New Zealanders, it has a strong influence on how New Zealanders see themselves.

The second indicator measures the health of the Māori language. Language is a central component of culture and a necessary skill for full participation in Māori society.

The proportion of people who can speak the first language (other than English and Māori) of their ethnic group is an indicator of the degree to which people are able to retain their culture and traditions, and to pass them on to subsequent generations.

The final indicator measures people’s ability to be themselves in New Zealand. This subjective indicator looks at the ease with which people feel they can express their own identity in New Zealand society.

Domain summary Top

Cultural Identity domain outcomes are generally declining.

The proportion of local content programming on New Zealand television broadcast during prime-time hours has remained stable over the last few years ( recent-change ), but has fallen since 2006 ( medium-term-change ).

The proportion of Māori who could speak te reo Māori dropped between 2001 and 2013, driven largely by a decline in Māori language speakers among the older age groups. Proportions of people who can speak the first language of their ethnic group (other than Māori) also appear to be declining since 2001, particularly for those in Pacific and European ethnic groups.

Most people found it very easy or easy to be themselves in New Zealand in 2014, though Pacific peoples, those in the Asian ethnic group, and those in lower socio-economic groups were less likely than others to say this.