Introduction
The term “social location” describes the particular place a person holds inside a variety of social structures and systems, which shapes their opportunities, experiences, and viewpoints. On the other hand, identity denotes the complex and diverse self-concept that encompasses a range of an individual’s social and personal attributes. It includes elements like age, sexual orientation, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, among others. Social location is unique to each person, meaning that no two people have the same social location at all. How people navigate the world, engage with others, and access resources is influenced by their social location.
In addition to internal elements like personality and hobbies, extrinsic elements like cultural influences and societal expectations also have an impact on identity. Identity is dynamic and liable to change depending on the situation, people you interact with, and changes in society. It is not fixed. Chadwick (2023) states that everyone has once experienced episodes of privileges and oppression associated with their identities. For example, I identify as an able-bodied, educated, black, Muslim, straight female living in Nigeria. In this reflective essay, I will examine three dominant privilege identities that I believe I possess and explain how they could support one another.
The Analysis
I recognize that I have privileges as an individual in terms of gender, socioeconomic class, and education. All of these elements of who I am interact with and support one another to shape my possibilities and experiences. My socio-economic dominant privilege has given me resources and financial stability, which has helped me manage life with less worry about necessities. I am of the middle socio-economic class. I work as a make-up artist. I make some good money, and not all seasons bloom but I can’t say I am struggling. Paying my bills does not feel like a huge burden because I can most times afford to. I am not exactly in a place of total financial security but I am working slowly working towards that. Affording healthcare coverage is another advantage. Even when I get emergencies, I can sort them out.
My socioeconomic status reinforces my educational identity. I advance my studies in good schools that I can afford. It also intersects with my racial identity as a black woman. There is a notion that people of color die and deserve to live in poverty but I get a bit of status by being able to afford it. People of color in the lower socio-economic class face a lot of discrimination in many sectors; for example, when looking for employment those who look able are given most of the job opportunities. As a make-up artist, I have served several clients who are way well-off and they do not prefer cheap services. I have never experienced racism or discrimination but I have heard a lot of stories that affect people of the lower socio-economic class.
My gender identity as a dominant female comes with a lot of privileges. Historically, patriarchal societies have given men the upper hand over women, perpetuating biases and limiting the options available to women in a variety of fields, including work, education, and leadership positions. It is men who used to run big companies and serve the highest of job positions while women were subjected to being housewives and taking care of the kids and these were their sole chores, affecting their ability to pursue careers and attain higher levels of socioeconomic status. I am glad I was born in a modern error where I can secure my own business without feeling inferior or not belonging. I believe that the relationship between socioeconomic identity and gender identity affects how easily people can access opportunities and resources.
Being a female and having a successfully running business comes with status. I can stand up for myself and speak up when faced with a difficult situation at work. People respect me because I work and make a living for myself. I take ownership of my surroundings and I can influence others. My husband appreciates a working woman too. It is undeniable that I have received several job opportunities and accessed quality education just by being a woman of the middle socio-economic class, even some that I felt underqualified. I think it is tough being a woman without some finances of your own. I do not believe in fully depending on my husband for most of my needs. I feel more prime as a woman when I can provide some things for myself.
Another dominant identity that I possess is education. I would say I am well-learned and that puts me bar higher when compared to other females who have not had the chance to study. I believe my education identity, as a black woman, can have a significant impact on the possibilities and experiences I have in life. Gaining additional education can open up more appealing career options, increase labor force flexibility, and result in more fulfilling work (Solomon et al., 2022). As a woman, education has given me the strength to navigate social systems, challenge stereotypes, and stand up for myself. My education has equipped me with knowledge and skills that will improve my power and enable me to actively engage in decision-making in a variety of areas of my life. One’s ability to challenge stereotypes and set an example for upcoming generations of black women can be enhanced by having a strong sense of identity in education. A study by Voigt & Spies(2020) evidenced that promoting female education is crucial to the growth of a more equitable society with strong, self-assured women.
Education reinforces my socio-economic and gender identity. As an educated woman, I have better access to better job opportunities. I have gained a lot of knowledge on how to manage my business, communicate with clients, and make profits. I outdo other make-up artists by being a skill or two higher than them. This results in having a lot of clients and I improve my socio-economic status. Also, I act as a role model to other females as they admire how I can run my business. I can demystify the current notion that women just belong in the kitchen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by writing this paper I have been able to analyze how my dominant identities co-relate and reinforce each other; that is socioeconomic, education, and gender identity. It has been an insightful journey that has unveiled how my dominant identities have influenced my life so far. Each plays a unique role that sustains other identities. I have identified the positive aspects that come with these identities and how they serve to improve my life. I have also learned that a more genuine and awakened living can be attained through a never-ending journey of self-discovery and the life-changing insights that can be discovered along the road.
References:
Chadwick, P. (2023, February 1). Lecture: Digging Deep: Thinking about Privilege | Eli Clare. https://eliclare.com/lecture-digging-deep-thinking-about-privilege/
Solomon, B. C., Nikolaev, B. N., & Shepherd, D. A. (2022). Does educational attainment promote job satisfaction? The bittersweet trade-offs between job resources, demands, and stress. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(7), 1227–1241. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000904
Voigt, K., & Spies, M. (2020). Female Education and Social Change: Changing Perceptions of Women’s Roles in Society in the High Mountains of Northern Pakistan. Mountain Research and Development, 40(4), R9. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00028.1
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