Exposure To Conflict Can Weaken A Person's Sense Of Self Essay
Exposure to conflict can weaken a person’s sense of self
In this world we are often exposed to elements of conflict with other people and this can sometimes have a negative effect on our identity and sense of belonging. As social creatures, we need to belong because we develop an understanding of ourselves through our relationships with others. When these associations are threatened we can be bereft of an invaluable opportunity for identity formation. However there are instances where conflict can have the converse effect, in that it can actually strengthen a person’s sense of self. Accordingly, the effects of conflict are twofold and in both cases, conflict is a crucial component in the process of self construal.
Humans need to belong amongst …show more content…
All types of relationships can be considered either ‘we’ or ‘me versus them’. The ‘we’ category emphasises cooperation and as a result, self identity becomes defined by mutual identity due to circumstance. The people involved in this classification of relationship are often striving towards a common goal, and although they may have differences, such as discrepancy of thought, there is a focus on similarities. Whereas the second entails opposition in some form, whether it be war or competing for a job or even a particular seat on the bus. In this case, there is an emphasis on differences and one defines a sense of self in opposition to another individual. Sometimes not belonging or getting along with other people can make you feel even more confident of who you are because you know you're not like 'them'. Growing Up Asian in Australia also illustrates some of the instances where the multi-cultural conflicts experienced by some of the characters cause them to become even more committed to their original culture and sense of self. Diem Vo’s “family life” portrays how migrants like her Vietnamese parents who don’t know English, turn away from their adopted country’s society and withdraw into their own insular language community because they believe that is more important and “easier to deal with other Vietnamese-Australians than to learn English”. Therefore sometimes finding yourself in conflict with others can provide you with greater resolve regarding your obstinate pursuit of
In this world we are often exposed to elements of conflict with other people and this can sometimes have a negative effect on our identity and sense of belonging. As social creatures, we need to belong because we develop an understanding of ourselves through our relationships with others. When these associations are threatened we can be bereft of an invaluable opportunity for identity formation. However there are instances where conflict can have the converse effect, in that it can actually strengthen a person’s sense of self. Accordingly, the effects of conflict are twofold and in both cases, conflict is a crucial component in the process of self construal.
Humans need to belong amongst …show more content…
All types of relationships can be considered either ‘we’ or ‘me versus them’. The ‘we’ category emphasises cooperation and as a result, self identity becomes defined by mutual identity due to circumstance. The people involved in this classification of relationship are often striving towards a common goal, and although they may have differences, such as discrepancy of thought, there is a focus on similarities. Whereas the second entails opposition in some form, whether it be war or competing for a job or even a particular seat on the bus. In this case, there is an emphasis on differences and one defines a sense of self in opposition to another individual. Sometimes not belonging or getting along with other people can make you feel even more confident of who you are because you know you're not like 'them'. Growing Up Asian in Australia also illustrates some of the instances where the multi-cultural conflicts experienced by some of the characters cause them to become even more committed to their original culture and sense of self. Diem Vo’s “family life” portrays how migrants like her Vietnamese parents who don’t know English, turn away from their adopted country’s society and withdraw into their own insular language community because they believe that is more important and “easier to deal with other Vietnamese-Australians than to learn English”. Therefore sometimes finding yourself in conflict with others can provide you with greater resolve regarding your obstinate pursuit of