WayOfTheFourElements
Hero
Identity is partly a choice, partly situational, and partly perceptional.
If you think of being American as part of who you are it is part of your identity. It can be a bigger or smaller part of your identity it is not fixed by just being American. It is perfectly logical to be an American who does not identify as an American, it can be an insignificant consideration for them and their conception of their identity.
Then you do not identify as a teacher, it is a job for you and not how you identify yourself. Others do take being a teacher as a significant part of their identity. Someone who identifies as a teacher still thinks of themselves as such if they lose their job, they still approach life in some ways as a teacher.
Thanks for responding. I appreciate it : )
I don't really understand, still. But I think I've derailed the thread enough, so I'll give it a rest.
If anyone has an answer, or any reading material, I'd love a DM.
The two areas that puzzle me most. 1) In the statement "I identify as American," what the essence of the American-ness I am identifying as is. 2) The relationship and contrast between identifying and being.