Introduction
Our identity—who we are and our perception of self, is formed
from many social and cultural influences, and over a period of time.
Identities are created through communication, come in spurts, are multiple,
influenced by society, are dynamic, and develop differently in different
cultures (Martin & Nakayama, 2011, pgs. 92-97). Because most people
feel a sense of belonging to various identities and groups, singling out one
main identity is difficult. While different identities come into play during
different times and stages of a person’s life, most identities are linked
together—unable to be separately distinguished or defined without another.
As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, student, Christian, musician, white,
female American, the identity that gives each of these identities a significant
meaning is the identity of being female—being a woman. Each identity
serves a purpose and is equally as important, but without the identity
of woman, the qualities and defining characteristics within those identities
would be entirely different. Therefore, the identity of woman is the most
defining, but not confining, identifier of me.
The Identity of Woman
How did you learn that having this identity was different from having
another identity? When you learned this, how did you feel?
Besides from the obvious biological and physical gender differences
between a man and a woman, early on my mother and grandmothers
helped me learn what a woman should be from their loving, nurturing
Christian examples. They were my role models, my heroes, my teachers,
and to me, the very definition of what a woman should be.
between a man and a woman, early on my mother and grandmothers
helped me learn what a woman should be from their loving, nurturing
Christian examples. They were my role models, my heroes, my teachers,
and to me, the very definition of what a woman should be.
Their strength, their loving ways, their devotion to their husband and
children, their intuitive natures, dignity, beauty, and self-esteem did not
come solely from their roles within society, or cultural influences. Their
true identity of being a woman was gained from their reverence for God.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears
children, their intuitive natures, dignity, beauty, and self-esteem did not
come solely from their roles within society, or cultural influences. Their
true identity of being a woman was gained from their reverence for God.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears
the Lord will be greatly praised” (Proverbs 31:30, NLT). My identity as a
woman may be different than other women’s identities because of my
Christian faith and Godly examples, but it is because of these influences
I consider all women valuable, uniquely special, beautiful, and equal in
God’s eyes and my own.
woman may be different than other women’s identities because of my
Christian faith and Godly examples, but it is because of these influences
I consider all women valuable, uniquely special, beautiful, and equal in
God’s eyes and my own.
The Role of Woman
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having this identity for you
personally? How does this identity influence you in school or at work?
As a woman, there are obvious societal and cultural advantages and
disadvantages, and some are more obvious than others! For me, the
advantages of being a woman include being a mother. There is no greater
pain that creates such joy in life! The love I feel for my two children is
unlike any other form of love. The sense of pride and admiration I have
for them as I witness their maturity touches my heart beyond measure!
disadvantages, and some are more obvious than others! For me, the
advantages of being a woman include being a mother. There is no greater
pain that creates such joy in life! The love I feel for my two children is
unlike any other form of love. The sense of pride and admiration I have
for them as I witness their maturity touches my heart beyond measure!
When Katie and T.J. were young, my husband and I decided that it
would be best for them if I did not work outside the home. For almost
eight years, I was a stay-at-home mom. Now, the term “opt-out revolution”
is used to describe “a group of upper-middle class mothers with young
children who decided that long hours and devotion to career success were
not worth the sacrifices required of their children” (Giele, 2008). Though
would be best for them if I did not work outside the home. For almost
eight years, I was a stay-at-home mom. Now, the term “opt-out revolution”
is used to describe “a group of upper-middle class mothers with young
children who decided that long hours and devotion to career success were
not worth the sacrifices required of their children” (Giele, 2008). Though
we struggled financially, the time and love my husband and I invested in
our precious children’s lives was the best investment we ever made.
Workplace policies are now more woman-friendly and family friendly,
men and women share more and more duties at home, much thanks to
feminists calling for a renewed sense of “gender justice” (Geile, 2008).
Had these changes in gender roles, and workplace policies taken place 20
our precious children’s lives was the best investment we ever made.
Workplace policies are now more woman-friendly and family friendly,
men and women share more and more duties at home, much thanks to
feminists calling for a renewed sense of “gender justice” (Geile, 2008).
Had these changes in gender roles, and workplace policies taken place 20
years ago, I know I still would have postponed my career and current
college studies for the most rewarding “job” a woman can have—of being
a mother.
college studies for the most rewarding “job” a woman can have—of being
a mother.
"At present, women constitute the majority of university students
around the world, and their participation in national economics is
correlated with economic growth (Giele, 2008). I find myself a part of that
majority as I complete my final semester of my junior year withOttawa
University . How coincidental that our daughter just finished her
around the world, and their participation in national economics is
correlated with economic growth (Giele, 2008). I find myself a part of that
majority as I complete my final semester of my junior year with
junior year at college, and our son will finish his junior year at high
school this week. As an adult woman college student, the challenges are
great. Studies, responsibilities and interests are constantly vying for
my time. My desire to earn my Communications degree, however, is
greater than my challenges. I owe my determination to the many role
models in my life, and the support I need, I owe to my husband. The
encouragement I rely on, I owe to my children.
school this week. As an adult woman college student, the challenges are
great. Studies, responsibilities and interests are constantly vying for
my time. My desire to earn my Communications degree, however, is
greater than my challenges. I owe my determination to the many role
models in my life, and the support I need, I owe to my husband. The
encouragement I rely on, I owe to my children.
The Impact of Woman
How does your identity influence the way you communicate with people from
your own and other identities?
As a woman, I’ve learned that the modern day opinion of what I should
look like, what I should wear, who I am, and who I want to become
As a woman, I’ve learned that the modern day opinion of what I should
look like, what I should wear, who I am, and who I want to become
communicated by today’s media should not be the yardstick by which
I measure myself. “Advertisements in magazines and commercials on
television tell us what it means, and how much it will cost, to be a beautiful
woman” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011, p. 96). While I do want to be
attractive, and am conscientious of my physical appearance and overall
health, a woman’s beauty should not be defined by what is visible on the
outside. Communicating this sense of inner beauty to both genders is
important to me. Living a life that reflects this confidence in being the
woman I am will hopefully encourage both men and women to redefine
the true beauty of woman.
I measure myself. “Advertisements in magazines and commercials on
television tell us what it means, and how much it will cost, to be a beautiful
woman” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011, p. 96). While I do want to be
attractive, and am conscientious of my physical appearance and overall
health, a woman’s beauty should not be defined by what is visible on the
outside. Communicating this sense of inner beauty to both genders is
important to me. Living a life that reflects this confidence in being the
woman I am will hopefully encourage both men and women to redefine
the true beauty of woman.
Though the voice of women in today’s society has become stronger, with more
women entering vocations and offices traditionally held by men, “women
still are expected to place a high value on family roles and to commit
themselves to homemaking and caregiving” (Graham, Sorell &
Montgomery, n.d). Society continues to communicate mixed messages
regarding the role of women. “The conflict within these current cultural
prescriptions for women has the potential to create role strain for women
still are expected to place a high value on family roles and to commit
themselves to homemaking and caregiving” (Graham, Sorell &
Montgomery, n.d). Society continues to communicate mixed messages
regarding the role of women. “The conflict within these current cultural
prescriptions for women has the potential to create role strain for women
who must juggle multiple personal identities constructed within contexts
of employment, partnership, and motherhood” (Graham, et al., n.d). A
woman’s impact in this world cannot be felt or her voice heard effectively
with such expectations, restrictions, or limitations of role choice unfairly
placed upon her gender. For a woman to communicate effectively to
society, men, and other women in their life, she simply needs to communicate
herself—her own definition of woman.
of employment, partnership, and motherhood” (Graham, et al., n.d). A
woman’s impact in this world cannot be felt or her voice heard effectively
with such expectations, restrictions, or limitations of role choice unfairly
placed upon her gender. For a woman to communicate effectively to
society, men, and other women in their life, she simply needs to communicate
herself—her own definition of woman.
Conclusion
“Identity refers to the conscious awareness of knowing who one is. This
process of self-definition involves simultaneously maintaining the
continuity of one’s own character and some degree of ideological and
behavioral congruence with the ideals of the social group in which one lives”
(Graham, et al., n.d). While I have and value many identities that help me
know and understand who I am, the identity I consider to be the most continual,
the one from which my behaviors and emotions are shaped and molded,
and the one I strive to portray and communicate as best I can, is the
identity of woman.
identity of woman.
My life has changed through the years, and so have my various roles and
identities. My husband has witnessed many of those changes—wife, mother,
stay-at-home mom, advertising executive, and college student. Through it all,
he has learned there are challenges I will face that he will never have to.
He has also learned that there are special qualities I possess that he will never
possess. Those challenges, those special qualities, he now understands are
what make me who I am—not as a wife or mother, but as a woman.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the
stay-at-home mom, advertising executive, and college student. Through it all,
he has learned there are challenges I will face that he will never have to.
He has also learned that there are special qualities I possess that he will never
possess. Those challenges, those special qualities, he now understands are
what make me who I am—not as a wife or mother, but as a woman.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the
future” (Proverbs 31:25, NLT).
References
Giele, J. (2008). Homemaker or Career Woman: Life Course Factors and Racial
Influences among Middle Class Americans. Journal of Comparative Family
Studies, 39(3), 393-411.
Graham, C. W., Sorell, G. T., & Montgomery, M. J. (n.d). Role-Related
Identity Structure in Adult Women.
Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2011). Experiencing intercultural
communication: An introduction. (4 ed.).
The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Proverbs 31; The Bible; New living translation. Bible Gateway. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:30&version=NLT
Amen, Sister! I don’t know what you are up to now, but this message is timeless, written for a specific time but relevant to all times.
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