Age identity, what does this have to do with who I am? Well, as we get older our identity will change not only within ourselves, but also by how others interpret our actions, looks, and behaviors based on what they have observed. From this we gain additional insight of what it means to be our age and how we identify ourselves throughout society.
I am a 20 year old woman and I feel like I have fulfilled the looks of that age group. I am quite mature for my age so in that area I may not be 20 years old but then again I also have my child side of me that doesn't want to grow up. These two counteract and place me exactly where I think I should be in relation to others.
My age identity has changed over the last few weeks by the new experiences and encounters I have came across from another culture. Being able to travel while I'm studying abroad has given me a different outlook on life by learning a lot for my age. Interacting with people from other cultural norms strengthens my ability to communicate and interact with people from my age group and other age groups. Trying to understand and relate to another culture based on what I knew before I came to London was difficult until I emerged myself into their society.
When I get home, I think that my identity will be different by having all of these new experiences play a role in my daily life. Seeing another side of the world has opened myself up to seeing another side of me. When I get back to hang out with my family and friends, I'm expecting a reaction of accomplishment and growth. I came to London, did almost everything on my own and learned a lot more of what it means to be independent.
In the end, my age identity changes over time with the influence of new experiences and will always represent who I am. My actions, looks and behaviors have changed and will continue to do so as long as I am still engaging myself in different cultures constantly learning what they have to offer me. I still have more to come on my journey across the sea, so we will learn together how I have grown and changed over 10 weeks.
Sunday 19 October 2008
Friday 10 October 2008
Week 3 Interviewing Herriett
Over time there are important changes in our lives that affect us, family, friends and community members. I had the opportunity to interview an elderly lady named Harriett who provided me with an insider's view of what it was like growing up in London. The way WWII influenced her life along with some of the technology that came out created a lot of changes not only for her, but her community as well. My experiences growing up are quite different than the ones she experienced as generations and eras have changed over time not only between the two of us, but within our own countries as well.
Some of the changes that she has experienced over her life time are due to WWII ending. Harriett was only a child when her family was going through hard times trying to get through day by day. She said "the war changed the way I grew up as a kid because my parents wouldn’t let me go out with my friends". I find this to be very interesting to hear since I personally have not experienced living in a war zone before. I could tell by the way she reflected back on the memories that it had a huge impact on her opportunities to do things such as attending more school since she had to help out at home. Her father was in the war so she didn’t get to see him much during that time. He was also the one that knew all of their family stories that were passed down from generations before, but after the war she said he didn’t have much to say anymore. I thought it was strange how strong the war affected him that their family history of stories died along with him over time.
Another change that Harriett mentioned was how technology has advanced over the years. Televisions, phones and finally computers had a big impact on the way she communicated with her family and friends. This also affected her whole community by not as many people were getting together with friends or neighbours because they were too busy with the new gadget. Instead of walking down the street to tell someone something it turned into a phone call. Then for her it went from playing outside and making up new hands on games to watching the T.V. from the comfort of her own living room. I remember being a kid and playing outside with my brother or other friends along with watching cartoons before breakfast and school as it was normal. She said that she didn't have that opportunity growing up. Listening to what she had to say about how people are drifting apart due to new inventions was very interesting because she pretty much lived through it all. I personally like the new inventions and technology, but for her she wishes it would go back to when she was younger so there would be more interaction between people.
Overall, I think that the changes I have experienced growing up in the U.S. are nothing compared to the way her childhood was during the war living in London. As far as the Technology goes, I think that the world was pretty close together on a timeline for when things started coming into the hands of the public. The most compelling thing I learned from interviewing Harriett was that she thought the world was turning into a lazy society due to all of the time spent watching the newest show or playing a video game instead of board game. I agree with that point, although she is now retired and involving herself in less strenuous activities that she said it hurts to fall into the new idea of living as she liked the older way. This interview went very well as I found out that age definitely affects the way we look at life along with the community that we grow up in.
Some of the changes that she has experienced over her life time are due to WWII ending. Harriett was only a child when her family was going through hard times trying to get through day by day. She said "the war changed the way I grew up as a kid because my parents wouldn’t let me go out with my friends". I find this to be very interesting to hear since I personally have not experienced living in a war zone before. I could tell by the way she reflected back on the memories that it had a huge impact on her opportunities to do things such as attending more school since she had to help out at home. Her father was in the war so she didn’t get to see him much during that time. He was also the one that knew all of their family stories that were passed down from generations before, but after the war she said he didn’t have much to say anymore. I thought it was strange how strong the war affected him that their family history of stories died along with him over time.
Another change that Harriett mentioned was how technology has advanced over the years. Televisions, phones and finally computers had a big impact on the way she communicated with her family and friends. This also affected her whole community by not as many people were getting together with friends or neighbours because they were too busy with the new gadget. Instead of walking down the street to tell someone something it turned into a phone call. Then for her it went from playing outside and making up new hands on games to watching the T.V. from the comfort of her own living room. I remember being a kid and playing outside with my brother or other friends along with watching cartoons before breakfast and school as it was normal. She said that she didn't have that opportunity growing up. Listening to what she had to say about how people are drifting apart due to new inventions was very interesting because she pretty much lived through it all. I personally like the new inventions and technology, but for her she wishes it would go back to when she was younger so there would be more interaction between people.
Overall, I think that the changes I have experienced growing up in the U.S. are nothing compared to the way her childhood was during the war living in London. As far as the Technology goes, I think that the world was pretty close together on a timeline for when things started coming into the hands of the public. The most compelling thing I learned from interviewing Harriett was that she thought the world was turning into a lazy society due to all of the time spent watching the newest show or playing a video game instead of board game. I agree with that point, although she is now retired and involving herself in less strenuous activities that she said it hurts to fall into the new idea of living as she liked the older way. This interview went very well as I found out that age definitely affects the way we look at life along with the community that we grow up in.
Friday 3 October 2008
Week 2 Values and Perceptions
Have you ever thought about the perceptions of different cultures and what their values are compared to ours? It varies within each country as well as each individual person as it can change over time with experience or cultural encounters. There are many different types of value orientations along with value dimensions that influence the way people think, act and try to understand or sometimes not understand life.
Prior to my departure to London, my cultural perception of the United Kingdom was that I thought everyone loved football and had crooked teeth. After being here two weeks now I have noticed that not all of my perceptions were correct. I interviewed a British confidant who helped me get a better understanding of why I may have thought their culture was the way I pictured it to be. The gentlemen said that football is a big deal here in their country but not everyone likes it or has the same interest in the same thing. There are people with crooked teeth here but it is pretty much like everywhere else. The genes are hereditary and the people don't congregate in one specific area as different cultural norms vary over the world.
I think that values mean something different to every person no matter where they may live. my own value system revolves around the personality preference and the "doing" orientation. This means that I like to stay very busy always trying to find something else to do and get things accomplished. The more on my plate the better so I can look back and say I did it. This also connects to my value dimension of long-term verse short-term perceptions where I live and focus short-term on what is going on right now in my life. I find it important to look at what is happening around me today and I will just have to wait and see what the future has to offer when it comes.
Based on my perceptions and current understandings of the British culture that I have experienced, I think that the British value the personality preference of "doing" as well. The environment is very active and it seems like the city never sleeps as there is always something that needs to be done. For their value of dimensions I would consider power distance to be an interesting role within their culture. It is as if there isn't much definition between roles of lower and higher power. The managers or upper hierarchy are more or less role models and friends of the people below them. I think that the roles compare to a lot like culture in the U.S., for a relationship with one another is essential and considered to be highly important
After talking to the gentleman that I interviewed he said that he would consider his value of orientation to be that of "being", this is to exist as you are and it doesn't matter to be just normal or strive to be better. He likes to live life with no time boundaries or orientation. For his value of dimensions he agreed with me about long-term verse short-term and how he doesn't really plan too much for the future as he may not be alive ti live for the experience he once in visioned and worked towards.
Overall, I found out that there are a lot of similarities and differences between other cultures with our values meaning something else to every individual. Over time we change inside and out which influence us in the long run for becoming what we want to be in life. We change as we get older and more things come into our life that raise a higher importance on our list of values. I still have 8 weeks left over here in London so we will see what else I come up with and learn about myself, my culture, and those around me.
Prior to my departure to London, my cultural perception of the United Kingdom was that I thought everyone loved football and had crooked teeth. After being here two weeks now I have noticed that not all of my perceptions were correct. I interviewed a British confidant who helped me get a better understanding of why I may have thought their culture was the way I pictured it to be. The gentlemen said that football is a big deal here in their country but not everyone likes it or has the same interest in the same thing. There are people with crooked teeth here but it is pretty much like everywhere else. The genes are hereditary and the people don't congregate in one specific area as different cultural norms vary over the world.
I think that values mean something different to every person no matter where they may live. my own value system revolves around the personality preference and the "doing" orientation. This means that I like to stay very busy always trying to find something else to do and get things accomplished. The more on my plate the better so I can look back and say I did it. This also connects to my value dimension of long-term verse short-term perceptions where I live and focus short-term on what is going on right now in my life. I find it important to look at what is happening around me today and I will just have to wait and see what the future has to offer when it comes.
Based on my perceptions and current understandings of the British culture that I have experienced, I think that the British value the personality preference of "doing" as well. The environment is very active and it seems like the city never sleeps as there is always something that needs to be done. For their value of dimensions I would consider power distance to be an interesting role within their culture. It is as if there isn't much definition between roles of lower and higher power. The managers or upper hierarchy are more or less role models and friends of the people below them. I think that the roles compare to a lot like culture in the U.S., for a relationship with one another is essential and considered to be highly important
After talking to the gentleman that I interviewed he said that he would consider his value of orientation to be that of "being", this is to exist as you are and it doesn't matter to be just normal or strive to be better. He likes to live life with no time boundaries or orientation. For his value of dimensions he agreed with me about long-term verse short-term and how he doesn't really plan too much for the future as he may not be alive ti live for the experience he once in visioned and worked towards.
Overall, I found out that there are a lot of similarities and differences between other cultures with our values meaning something else to every individual. Over time we change inside and out which influence us in the long run for becoming what we want to be in life. We change as we get older and more things come into our life that raise a higher importance on our list of values. I still have 8 weeks left over here in London so we will see what else I come up with and learn about myself, my culture, and those around me.
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