In modern society, as individuals we take identity for granted. We apparently understand who we are, we seem to have a good understanding of the individuals in our presence and they tend to relate to us in the same way. However, social identity can influence human experience and for this reason we should not take it for granted. In reality, we never truly complete the formation of our identity due to its complexity. However, throughout our existence we continue to adapt to a particular environment and develop an understanding of our own identity. In this essay I will address both race and ethnicity and the ways in which they contribute to human experience and social individuality. Race and ethnicity are factors that change and influence our identity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To begin with, Social Identity is a term that individuals use to think of themselves. Identity refers to all aspects of an individual including physical appearance, age, personality, gender, ethnicity and abilities. Identity is associated with how individuals fit into a group. The philosophy of belonging is intertwined with identity. Belonging is how an individual identifies their importance in a particular context, such as family, group of friends, work or school. Childhood development requires that issues associated with identity and belonging encourage a child to discover who he or she is. Research has indicated the importance of socialization and interaction at a young age as it encourages future learning. Difference is an important topic to introduce a child to, by understanding and accepting difference with a positive outlook a child can grow and appreciate diversity. Factors considered external can also influence how individuals view themselves. The opinions of others are an example of an external factor. Those who are confronted with praise tend to have a more positive view of their identity as they are more confident, unlike those whose work is not recognised, these individuals struggle to identify themselves. Socialization is how individuals learn to belong. Our culture is continuously passed on to the next generation through this process. Children who were isolated highlighted the importance of socialization. Socialization allows individuals to have the opportunity to develop their sense of identity and belonging. Once we have established a sense of self, we can begin to identify ourselves among other people. Without a sense of self, we fail to form relationships with others and therefore fail to learn to belong. Developmental psychologists work with those who are suffering in an effort to help them create their identity and find where they belong. In today's society, identity contributes greatly to an individual's daily thoughts. People have a growing need to know who they are and where they fit in. Each of us has an idea of ​​who we are, although this changes repeatedly as we encounter new experiences in our lives. Society also has an impression of individual identities that shapes us. In general, we accept people's idea of ​​our identity and recognize what we believe our identity is, so we sometimes adapt it based on the opinions of others. Unfortunately, some opinions must be ignored because they are unfair, unhelpful or incorrect. Some topics that can be misjudged can be sensitive and offensive intowards individuals, which therefore results in tension. When we consider who we are, we generally tend to focus on personal characteristics, social roles, experiences, and what we like. We place ourselves in a particular context by associating ourselves with gender, race, ethnicity, and race. Race and ethnicity are becoming a growing factor in society that affects people's sense of belonging and leads to a misplaced identity. These two factors often lead to prejudice, discrimination and inequalities. However, we can also associate both as a source of motivation, belonging and meaning. Both factors can influence where a person will live and who they will associate with. They can also influence their health and wealth status and impact the quality of medical care, schools and workplaces they have access to. Race refers to a person's physical characteristics, such as hair, skin, eye color, or bone structure. Whereas ethnicity refers to cultural issues such as ancestry, nationality, language and regional culture. Skin colors such as white, brown, and black are examples of races that come from many parts of the world. German or Spanish are examples of ethnicity. Currently, in the 21st century, we are experiencing a growth in multiculturalism. It has now become an essential topic to teach children to respect other individuals and groups. Many schools have become multi-denominational schools. This was a very rewarding action as it allowed individuals who had similarities and also differences to mix and find comfort and belonging within a peer group. This allowed children to learn about and respect each other's ethnicity and culture. However, racial and ethnic diversity is a challenging topic for unprepared teachers. They are forced to act on the spot when situations arise and then must try to provide, through adaptation, the needs to allow people to feel welcomed in an environment. Race was once a method of class division that established a hierarchy. This unfair treatment no longer exists; however, people now recognize their race and face unequal treatment in times of unfair treatment. Laws and procedures have now been established to prevent such cases from developing, for example the Employment Equality Act 1998. Ethnicity focuses on the way people live. Many families have traditions that they follow as part of their culture. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay To conclude, race and ethnicity are very important for individuals to develop their identity . People recognize and accept each other for who they are, instead of mistreating them. While stereotyping and labeling of individuals remains evident, they are reducing as people begin to understand the importance of who we are as individuals. However, as individuals we try to create a specific image of ourselves to feel comfortable in a particular situation. We use techniques to present this image to others. These techniques involve impression management and include clothing, body language, appearance and speech. As discovered in this topic, all individuals are unique and react to situations differently. Society must continue to respect each other and create a world that is diverse and accepting of all identities. Works CitedArnett, J. J. (2007). The myth of peer pressure. Adolescence, 42(166), 1-4.Erikson, E. H. (1980). Identity and life cycle, 23(4), 659-677.