chap 5 - factors that shape identity

• diversity

  • difference and variety, a society is socio-culturally and socio-economically diverse
• how are identity and diversity in society connected?

  • different people have different identity and different practices, they mix and form diversity
• some factors that can shape the identities of people

  • race and ethnicity
  • religion
  • socio-economic status
  • nationality
• race and ethnicity

  • race meaning : biological classification of people, which includes their physical characteristics
  • ethnicity meaning : based on the culture of a group of people who share the same ancestry, customs and traditions that distinguish them from other groups in society
• religion

  • meaning : an organised collection of attitudes, beliefs, values, practices and world views
• socio-economic status

  • meaning : an economic situation shared by a group of people society
• nationality

  • meaning : being a citizen of or belonging to a particular country
• race

  • example of physical characteristics = bone, jaw structure, colour of skin, hair and eyes (usually vary according to race)

  ethnicity

  • each ethnic group has its own beliefs, values and practices that shape its identity and way of life
• race and ethnicity in SG

  • race and ethnicity have influenced the traditions and practices observed in their respective wedding ceremonies
  • eg = Keiko and Yacob´s wedding had both Japanese and Malay influences. they added a Japanese practice of flower exchange to each other´s parents to thank them for raising them and oso included Malay wedding traditions such as playing of kompang during wedding

  = Hema and Daryl´s wedding had both Indian and Chinese traditions and practices like Hindu and Chinese tea ceremony

  = CMIO used in the GRC system and in the EIP
• • race and ethnicity influence a person´s beliefs, values, practices and way of life -> people may feel more comfortable with other member of the same ethnicity who share common beliefs and practices -> creates a sense of belonging -> want to be recognised as a part of the group -> creates sense of identity
  • a variety of people with different identities, each with his/her beliefs, values, ways of life and practices, make a society diverse
• religion

  • features : collection of attitudes, beliefs, values, practices and world views

  : involving the worship of a god or a group of gods

  : includes an account of events to explain the origin and meaning of life

  : determined by birth or by choice

  • Singapore is a multireligious society, with several religions being practiced by different group of people
• socio-economic status (SES)

  • economic --> how rich you are
  • social --> affects how you live your life/the community around you
  • some indicators of SES --> house you stay, possession of assets and lifestyle
  • why is it important to know a person´s SES? --> helps gov. to identify groups of people who may require additional assistance so that more targeted support can be provided to those who need it more
  • can SES be dangerous to society?--> discrimination and special treatments
• social mobility

  • can change due to various reasons including education status
  • individual´s movement across socio-economic position
  • this movement can be upwards or downwards, just as a person can move from a lower socio-economic status to a higher one, also possible for individuals to move from higher socio-economic status to lower one
• nationality

  • a person´s identity can also be shaped by his/ her nationality
  • people of the same nationality are generally citizens of the same country & usually live together in a particular geographical area & share a common history and language + common experiences, practises and traditions->shared sense of national identity & belonging to their country
  • besides Singaporeans, there are people of different nationalities living in SG. Foreigners who settle permanently in SG aka immigrants (they left their home county in order to settle permanently in another country)