How do you define yourself?

The screenname post got me thinking, how do we all define ourselves? When we think of identiy, what comes first? Our gender, profession, religion, ethnicity, family, social position, etc...

For me in college it was being a young Jewish woman, then it was being a law student, then a lawyer, a wife. Now it is definitely all about being a mom!

so if I had to change my screen name it would probably be something about being a mom.

Re: How do you define yourself?

It's weird because even now, with Alex, I identify myself as many things - most prominently that I'm a mom, a lawyer, a woman and jewish. Is that bad that wife didn't stand out in my mind when I first thought about it?

Re: How do you define yourself?

Whenever I think of this, the first thing that comes to mind is "Jewish". When I was in grad school taking classes, the first thing that usually came to mind was "grad student." Right now, i'm in a bit of professional limbo, b/c I can't identify myself as psychologist b/c I'm unlicensed, and I don't identify myself as a student b/c i'm done with classes.

Re: How do you define yourself?

I most identify with being Irish, my parents are off the boat so our heritage was always central to our home.

Ever since Animal came along I think of myself as a mom...then everything else falls in place....ethnicity, gender, profession

I don't think wife either

Re: How do you define yourself?

Female and Italian (my parents are immigrants). Those come to mind first.

I don't define myself as a wife either nor do I define myself by my profession though I would include creative on my short list because I aspire to (and am working on) being an author.

Re: How do you define yourself?

I don't like being defined by another person or thing. I define myself based on what characteristics are inside. I would say, strong, independent, analytical.

Then I would define myself by my hertitage, Polish and then profession. To me those don't define me, they are part of me, but they ultimately are not all of me.

Re: How do you define yourself?

I'm probably in the minority, but I definitely consider myself a wife. Might be because I don't have children yet, but I waited 8 years to be his wife!!

Is it my only definition of myself, NO. But, it is a large aspect.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Re: How do you define yourself?

I definately define myself as a "wife" now that I am married. It seems that I automatically took on the role immediately after we said our vows.

I also see myself as a "mommy's girl" This is not in a bad way, but we are best friends, so I turn to her for everything. It was very hard for me to move out 6 months ago!

Re: How do you define yourself?

I think of myself as a young irish-italian girl (can't call myself woman yet---even though I am) who has made a good life for herself and married a great guy.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Re: How do you define yourself?

Funny, the first thing I identified was counselor. I think since I have had that role for such a long time and maybe since I am at work right now.
But the other ways are wife, mother to be, sister, daughter and granddaughter.

Re: How do you define yourself?

The first thing I thought of was my maiden name. A Mc____ woman. I don't identify with my profession, because I do not have one yet. I do not identify with the fact that I finally got my degree - because I feel I was swindled by the college I finished with. I identify more with being Irish, than any of the other things I am because that was the most represented growing up (but I am the end result of quite a few cultures). I consider myself Catholic, but I do not go to mass regularly. I'm a sister, but when I'm not with my sisters, I cannot identify with that either. The same goes with any other "role".


I guess I just define myself as no one.

Message edited 9/28/2006 1:46:07 PM.

Re: How do you define yourself?

I guess if I had to pick one thing that defines me it would be performing. Without that aspect of my life I feel empty.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Re: How do you define yourself?

in real life?

i define myself by my personality traits

Re: How do you define yourself?

Right now all I can think of is.....FINALLY PREGNANT!!

ETA- It is interesting that some define themselves as "Jewsih" - yet I would never think to define myself by my religion. Why do you think that might be?? Are Jewish women brought up to be more conscious of hteir religion as their identity?

Message edited 9/28/2006 4:40:48 PM.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Posted by karacg

Right now all I can think of is.....FINALLY PREGNANT!!

Re: How do you define yourself?

I'm define myself with my qualities and faults.
I'm more than just a wife, a mom.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Female, Hispanic, Independent, Sister, Daughter, Reader (if there is such a thing, I read everything...esp. instructions! )...Wife.

I def don't identify myself as a wife for the most part though. I think I'm more of my husband's friend than wife. Our roles have changed a lot (for the better) recently. Is there something more than wife? Because that's what I feel like. Life partner. For ever. And ever.

Message edited 9/28/2006 4:44:32 PM.

Re: How do you define yourself?

female in a male dominated industry.
im not afraid to bust balls and im also not afraid to be sexy. im well traveled and I consider myself worldly yet a chameleon and I like to make people feel comfortable in a conversation.

I hope that others see me as "not the typical woman" and I hope that my personality traits make me different than others


I feel like I am not your average female and that is a big part of what defines me

Message edited 9/28/2006 4:51:02 PM.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Care taker...whether it be my Dad, Grandma, Brother, Niece, Nephew, Aunt, you get the idea.

I've pretty much taken the role of my Mom. (I still wonder how she did it...)

I'm the one they come to for support...I'm the one they lean on 24/7. It's hard, tiring and very depressing sometimes. I'm just so completely thankful to God that DH is in my life because he takes care of me.

Re: How do you define yourself?

Definitely as Irish then as a woman, wife, daughter, sister, friend.... Above all else, I am of my roots.

Re: How do you define yourself?

The first thing that comes to mind is that I define myself as a teacher, because I feel that not only is that my profession, but it says alot about the type of person I am. Secondly I define myself as a wife, because that is my newest role....I think that when I have kids I will define myself first and foremost as a mother (although I think teacher includes that a little)

Re: How do you define yourself?

I think I define myself as youthful. Whatever else about me is secondary. Ethnicity, religion, marital status, occupation. I am all of those things but I am young at heart and that is how I think of myself.