Eliasek 1

Anna Eliasek
R&WW, Class 1
Ms. Bartz
April 18, 2016
Big Moments, Big Events
Identity makes up a person; it is everything they are, everything that they think,
and everything that they do. Without an identity, there would be an empty person with
no point of view and lack of an opinion. In todays society many children grow up not
knowing what their lives have been developed by. As they get older, they come to
realize the importance of how their identity shapes their personality. When looking back
on life, we tend to clearly remember the big things that happened or the influential
events that occurred. When people think they have an uneventful childhood or even an
uneventful existence, they tend to get confused as to what actually shaped their identity.
What those people need to know is that even their boring or dull experiences have
shaped their identity in some way, shape, or form. The argument is that those dull
experiences have shaped a persons identity as much as big experiences do. The things
that we experience and the big events in our lives shape our identities.
Experiences shape our identity because of our emotional connection to them. We
often enjoy big moments when they involve our parents. They have a big influence on
us. In the journal of mens studies, Edgar Long talks about a study he conducted that
entailed him asking 38 young men to look back on the fondest memories of their
childhoods. Almost all of them chose a memory that involved their fathers. The outcome
of the study was completely due to the building of father-son-relationships. The building

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of these relationships reflects directly on our identity and the memories that we keep
fondest to us. In my own personal experience, my fondest memories are those shared
with my parents. For example; my parents have taken me on a lot of trips. These fond
memories have shaped my identity because I have learned to be more open to other
people and other situations. Because this is now a part of my identity, I will pass these
beliefs down to my kids. My identity is most definitely shaped by the fond memories I
have made.
Not only do our special connections to the big moments in our lives shape us, but
big events in general shape our identities as well. Big events, such as the ones in U.S.
history, can change a country's identity. In the article The Top Ten Historical Events That
Shaped America, written by Robert Blevins, the idea that our country's identity is
shaped by big events is explored. The article lists ten very influential events that shaped
the identity of the United States. These big events helped to shape our society and our
nations identity today.
Some people believe that our families shape our identities. This is wrong
because the people in our lives cant influence us fully. Every person is different. A
person can not directly reflect another person. Also, when we have a rough family-life
we will do everything in our power to be different due to our own experiences. Events,
big or small, shape our lives.
Our identities are shaped by the big moments in our lives. Moments that we have
emotional connections to and the moments that shaped even our countries identities,
are an accurate representation of a connection to finding our identities. If people refuse
to listen, they will fail to fully understand their true identities. When and if society listens

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to my claim, they will benefit immensely. They will feel more connected to themselves
and they wont be confused as to who they are. They will be one hundred percent sure
of themselves.

Works Cited
Blevins, Robert. "The Top Ten Historical Events That Shaped America - and Why They
Did." Newsvine. NBC News, 26 Aug. 2007. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.
Long, E. C. J., Fish, J. N., Scheffler, A., & Hanert, B. (2014). Memorable experiences
between fathers and sons: Stories that shape a son's identity and perspective of

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his father. Journal of Men's Studies, 22(2), 122-139.