Core Identity :: essays research papers

Historically, societies have had a great deal of influence over the individuals making up their respective civilization. Every society, regardless of how autonomous their society allows their populous to be, directly and indirectly extends a level of control. Self-governing persons often think of themselves as resistant to societys invisible sway and to varying degrees they are however, their core identity is ultimately shaped and molded by interacting with other members of humanity. When I read a proverb such as pull yourself up by the bootstraps or Im the passe-partout of my ship it stirs feelings of sovereignty and freedom and the king to whatever I want, whenever I want. In slightly cases these statements are true, if for example one wanted to go the movies, that person could simply get in their elevator car and go to the movies. Perfect example of being the captain of your own ship Seems to be a sound statement, but what if the person didnt have funds to see the movie, or couldnt walk to the movies because they didnt have legs due to an injury during the Gulf War. Now it appears that his ship has been commandeered The above case in pointedness is an example of how society will have a hand on the rudder of everyones ship Even if that individual decided he was going to the movies, hazard beyond his control have dictated what he can and cannot do in certain situations. Because of the war this individual had no legs, because he had no legs he didnt have a job, because he had no job, he had no money consequently he wasnt going to the movies. Proverbs like being the captain of your own ship are merely motivational anecdotes that help alleviate the sometimes harsh certainty that is ones potential. Everything an individual does is governed in some fashion by the constraints put upon him or her by society and their relevant place in society.