Cultural Self-Inventory Paper:

The Influences of Gender, Race, and Class on My Social Identity

Abstract
According to Brenda Allen in Difference Matters, social identity refers to “aspects of a person’s self-image derived from group-based categories,” and this identity affects how we interact or relate to other individuals and groups (Allen, 2011, p. 11). A self-inventory in determining my own social identity would include the roles of daughter and daughter-in-law, sister, wife, mother, and soon, a mother-in-law within my family group. At work, I am part of the group of registered nurses, operating within the larger healthcare provider group. In my pursuit of a higher nursing degree, I am a student. In my community, I am a volunteer, a neighbor, and a responsible citizen, following the laws and rules of the community where I live. I also identify with other groups; I am from the Northeastern part of the country, I am American, white, heterosexual, a woman, middle-class, and Christian. Most predominant in my self-assessment, though, and the factors that have shaped my reality the most in my opinion, are my race, gender, and social class. Being a woman has influenced my education and career decisions and my relationships within my family. Being white has afforded me opportunities that have affected my social class and job opportunities. Despite movement in class, my gender has had negative influence on potential within the corporate world, leading to a career change. These power influences of the forces of gender, race, and, to some degree, social class on my identity will be discussed in the following pages.

10 Pages, APA – 1 Reference