Discovering the Layers of One’s Identity

After thinking about all the roles I undertake on a daily basis, I have come to the conclusion that the six identities that truly identify who I am are the following:

1. A student attending California State University Channel Islands
2. A female living in Southern California
3. A Latina living in Southern California
4. A daughter to my parents
5. A sister to my brothers
6. A DREAMer

Of these identities, I am going to trace my Female Identity through the Cycle of Socialization.

• The Beginning – If you are born female, you are instantly seen as the minority of the two genders because we are born into a male-dominated world. So when I was born, without my choosing, I was already at a disadvantage in the world being that I was born a female and not a male.

• First Socialization – Before I was even out of the womb, my parents were already buying baby items in different shades of pink and purple. For some reason, those are the colors associated with being female. Once I was born, I was instantly taught by my mom and dad what was considered “correct” for a lady to do versus what was correct for a boy to do. I was taught that it was okay to love makeup and dolls; to play in a play kitchen and braid hair. I was scolded when I didn’t cross my legs or when I came home from school with disheveled hair – those attributes are for boys to portray, not young ladys.

• Institutional and Cultural Socialization – The image of what a women “should be” is constantly showcased on television, radio stations, children’s toys, books, etc. By watching, hearing, or reading such mediums, I came to the understanding that women are most comfortable at home. We must be able to cook and clean; and when the time is right, become a doting and loving mother. Women should also be a supportive and loving wife to her husband. Such images are constantly being thrown at young girls as they grow; these ideas subconsciously become imbedded into their brain. I know this was true for me.

• Enforcements – When women do not follow these social and cultural norms, we are seen as outcasts from the dominant society. Women who engage in male activities are at times ridiculed for not acting like a lady. For example, when I was younger (being that I come from a male-dominated household) I always wanted to play with the boys at recess whether it be soccer, tag, handball, etc. The other girls at my elementary school would tease me for doing so, making me feel embarrassed for wanting to play those activities – activities that “ladys” are not suppose to engage in.

• Results – By growing up with such male-dominated ideas, the female mind become very colonized and accepting of those views. After a while you stop questioning why and instinctively follow the male-written, female path of life. I am guilty of doing this. An easy example of this is the idea of marriage. I personally hope to someday get married and become a wife. But why is it that women are taught to think in such a way while boys are not? Why are we taught that marriage is an accomplishment we want to achieve?

• Direction for Change/Action – For such a cycle to be broken, one must be willing to question the system and become educated. For myself, I have taken a number of Chicano Studies classes where the topic of focus is the role of women in society and what can be done to combat female stereotypes. These classes are perfect for me because not only am I a female, but I am a female who is Latina! I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding throughout my different classes, allowing me to become socially aware of my treatment and allowing me to educate others on the topic.