Ascribed identity - Introducing social work practice - OpenLearn - The Open University
Ascribed identities can be thought of as the identities other people, or society, might impose on you. These include, for example, gender and age-defined identities `which are rooted in very early social experience' (Jenkins, 1996, p. 142). There may be conflict between the two kinds of identity. Many social work service users, for example, find that their view of themselves (self identity) differs from society's view of them (ascribed identity) and that frequently the latter is negative and based on a stereotype. Stereotyping is a process through which we assign a set of attributes to a person based on their presumed membership of a particular group. It also involves simplifying information about complex situations. For example, many older people find that their identity is seen only in terms of one attribute, their age, and the traits that are assumed to accompany that age, while their individual characteristics and experiences are ignored. Stereotypes represent society's view in a rigid and simplistic way. It can be all too easy for individuals to absorb or internalise stereotypes so that they come to believe they are true.
Ascribed identities can be thought of as the identities other people, or society, might impose on you. These include, for example, gender and age-defined identities `which are rooted in very early social experience' (Jenkins, 1996, p. 142).
There may be conflict between the two kinds of identity. Many social work service users, for example, find that their view of themselves (self identity) differs from society's view of them (ascribed identity) and that frequently the latter is negative and based on a stereotype. Stereotyping is a process through which we assign a set of attributes to a person based on their presumed membership of a particular group. It also involves simplifying information about complex situations. For example, many older people find that their identity is seen only in terms of one attribute, their age, and the traits that are assumed to accompany that age, while their individual characteristics and experiences are ignored.
Stereotypes represent society's view in a rigid and simplistic way. It can be all too easy for individuals to absorb or internalise stereotypes so that they come to believe they are true.
But if you identify as a "woman" you will naturally compare yourself to others who you identify as "women" and you will feel pressure to conform to their norm.
It would lead to an entirely different kind of argument (and different kinds of feelings), for instance, if a man criticised you (or another woman) for "not being womanly" than if a woman did. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
