Childhood Experiences of Identity

The journey to build our identities begins from the moment we are born, and the only piece of identity we have is the name we are given. Besides, our identity is shaped by many different aspects, such as family, culture, personal interests, and surrounding environments. Finally, there are specific places at given moments in an over life’s journey that makes the connection between figuring out who we are and what should we do, be discovered.

Who we are is given by the story we tell about ourselves and that story is an honest, reflective version of ourselves. Here are some different childhood experiences that we passed through and made us who we are now…

Name: Narmeen Mohammed

When I was a child, I was way taller than the children at my school and I have always been above the average height my whole life. Some people thought that I am older than I look, and they kept asking me why I am that much taller. As I got older, I realized that being taller was actually a blessing and I feel happy about my height because it is suitable for my age. Finally, I have learned to love my height and to consider it as a special identity.

Name: Sarah Kornbluth

When I was young we spoke English at home- British English. Friends at school who spoke English spoke  American English and laughed at me. We moved to England for a year and my English fit in but I felt a stranger, different. When we moved back my Hebrew wasn’t so good, it was hard for me to read and again, I was laughed at for my accent. Today it seems to have paid off as- I’m an English teacher!

Name: Intisar Kirresh

When I was a child I used to have short curly hair, a was maybe 4 years old but I remember it very well, people in the street will stop me or stop my parents to ask if I am a boy or a girl. a woman told me let your mother bring earrings to you so you will look like a girl.

since then I explain my identity as a woman then Moslim then a Palestinian.

Name: Azhar Ishan

When I was at age of 5, I remember when I was wearing different clothes colors (not always wearing the pink color that identifies my gender). The people who saw me walking in the streets or somewhere was stopping my parents or me asking me wired questions if I am a girl or a boy because I had short hair and because of the colors or the style of what I was wearing. One day I was playing with my friends in the neighborhood my mother and a woman come to take us home, she asked my mom the same questions and told my mom to put for me an earring to know my gender. I explain my Identity as Muslim Arab Woman.

Name: Mayar Khawalid

When I was young, I was mocked by my classmates for two things I have. Firstly, because I stuttered because I did not pronounce the letter R correctly. Second, because I was and still have a birthmark on my neck since my birth until now. At first, I was very sad because I was born with these two things, but with time, I improved my pronunciation of the letter R correctly. As for the birthmark on my neck, I am no longer ashamed of it. But, I like to show it and I like to see it. This is what made me love and accept myself as I am because this is how God created me.

We all build our lives and our society on the expectations that individuals will continue to be who they are…