What follows is a list of categories that serves to define and divide us. Make a personal list of the categories you belong to or have conflict with and visual symbols that are associated with each. Aspirations and expectations should also be listed.
Age/generation - This can dictate levels of independence afforded to the individual.
Gender - Our sex affects the way we are treated by some individuals.
Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations.
Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite and divide.
Class or caste - A classification that an individual may never escape from.
Personality - Extrovert and introvert are classifications of personality.
Intelligence - educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us.
Political persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology.
Age/ Generation: This age for a girl differs from this age for a boy in several ways. For one, biologically we were made to mature slightly quicker than males. But in all fairness, some girls can be as equally immature. And another is the emotional and physical differences, which, in all fairness once again, some girls or boys lack whats expected physically or emotionally.But whats expected of both genders is fairly similar and seems to be more and less as we move from generation to generation. More, in the sense that we are the generation known for our progressing technology, we are supposed to be born knowing how to work the basics of the phones, tablets, laptops, televisions, etc. And less, in the sense that the education system has become the most important thing to focus on while we are young, where it used to be that working and providing at a young age while we have the energy was the most important. In this generation, expectations for scoring high in intelligence and having a high mental understanding is what's truly amazing today rather than scoring high physically.
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| Emma Watson |
Gender: For a girl my age in this generation, I feel like there can be a lot of pressure. With the whole feminist movement, there is a lot of pressure to stand up and show just how independent young women can be; to work our way to the top, to be looked at equally, to show how capable we can truly be, and to be an example for other men and woman, someone people may look up to. And at this age, I feel like all of that starts here. About to graduate, start college, and figure things out for myself from there.
Race: People try to say that there aren't race issues, when even still there are. Although, we are definitely better, and still developing as time progresses, I do believe that we need to stop addressing everything by the color of our skin, stop making things bigger than they seem, and I think slowly but surely, people will begin to forget that we ever first noticed someones race when we first took a look at them. Diversity won't even be uncommon or something to be rewarded for, but just a way of life and maybe recognized once every few years for how far we have come. Race has never been an issue for me, I don't really care what door your skin is, or where you originate from or what your culture is like. If anything, I'm more fascinated to learn culture and origin, not judgmental about it.
Religion: Religion is extremely important to me in my personal life and to be able to have the freedom to practice my religion freely is such a privilege. Religion ties in with diversity, and it's also a privilege to have people accept you regardless what you believe in or whatever you have faith in. But being this age, some people feel pressured to lose faith in what they truly believe to conform to the people and life styles around them.
Class: I don't necessarily think class defines who you are or who you hang out with. Although, we do sometimes separate or attach ourselves based on what others have or how "popular" someone is. I'm in the middle class, not wealthy parents, but not poor either. Which most people are, but I don't think we discriminate based on the money our parents make, whether you have lots of money or whether you have enough money for necessities.
Personality: I think personality has almost everything to do with the people you surround yourself with. Naturally, you surround yourself around people who have common likes and interests and humor; if you're outgoing, you usually become friends with other outgoing people. If you keep to yourself and necessarily like to be alone and can keep yourself company, you become friends with people who will understand and give you the space you need because they are the same way. Extroverts and introverts, although they do tend to mix, people get tired of others who can be too much like them and need something different, so they don't necessarily separate or discriminate, but naturally we just draw closer to those with similar interests. But personality is everything at this age, no one is ever alone, anything you find funny or interesting or repulsive or beautiful, someone is bound to agree.
Intelligence: Personally, I tend to surround myself with people who are smarter than me, who know more than I do. Intelligence now is looked at at a much more positive perspective than it used to be. Although, being in high school, everyone is still looking to fit in and "be cool", someone with a higher intelligence is applauded and not laughed at by their peers.
