Introduction
Ethnicity is often defined as a fact of belonging to some social group, class, or even nation. In my opinion, this notion has a broader meaning. It presupposes sharing of the culture, the way of life, even the way of perceiving and comprehending information with people of your community. Ethnicity is closely connected with religion, moral and ethical codes of personality. It is of great importance to be able to explore one’s ethnic identity. Understanding this may lead to better realizing what he or she is. That is the main aim of my essay.
Main text
I am from Bangladesh. I am one representative of an immense nation with a population of 133 million people. Several persons may think that I cannot write about something new. Every educated man knows the basic facts concerning Bangladesh or the Indian way of life. I am not going to write about the division of society into castes or that cow is a sacred animal in my culture. Nevertheless, I have something to add. I am going to dwell on my personal experience and the way I have developed my ethnic identity.
I was born in the usual family. I lived with my parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. My family was big and happy. The only thing you need to acquire an ethnic identity is a huge family, where all members stick to cultural and religious life. My ethnic identity was formed during my childhood. The process of socialization started immediately when I became able to comprehend and follow my parents’ pieces of advice. Since childhood, I was taught the importance of being polite to everyone I met. My parents would punish me in case I behaved in the wrong way in front of relatives, guests in my house, or unknown people in the street.
My parents influenced significantly the formation of my ethnic identity. They belonged to the type of strict parents who would like to control everything. They did it. As a child, I was not allowed to choose many things. My parents decided what I should eat, how I should dress, and even who to be friends with. Sometimes I was angry or disappointed because of such treatment. However, it was the usual flow of life in my family, the typical feature of my culture. I accepted it as far as it had to be so.
Today I realize the way my parents’ control has changed me. They made me different and better. For instance, I find it impermissible to smoke in front of a senior person. Doing so is regarded as an extreme impoliteness in my society. I know this perfectly well, as far as my parents taught me this norm. Now I never blush with shame because I have forgotten this rule. I know this instruction subconsciously and cannot violate it. Having analyzed these aspects of my childhood, I may conclude that my ethnic identity has been imposed on me.
I am an adult now and I can observe how my ethnicity has influenced my current life. According to the rules of my society, one must work hard to achieve something in life. This idea helped me to stay strong even when it was extremely difficult. I know how important it is to do everything possible to get even minimum results. No country can teach me better than Bangladesh. Millions of people work for peanuts, just to earn their living and be able to buy some food. I know what injustice is and I am aware of the fact that nothing can be reached without an effort.
My social life is also predetermined by my ethnic identity to some extent. I have already mentioned that I find it impolite to smoke in front of a senior person. However, that is not the only rule of proper behavior in society that my parents have taught me. Women should be regarded with politeness and courtesy. In my culture, they are the keepers of happy families. The modern world is constantly changing. The processes of globalization open new aspects of human behavior that have been impossible long ago. As a child, I was not prepared for the fact that women can be business ladies or two men may be in love with each other. My upbringing did not cover all possible changes, but I was taught the basic rule — to be polite and honest in whatever society I happen to be.
Sometimes I wonder what my future is going to be. I expect to finish all businesses that I have started a few years ago. I expect that my efforts will be rewarded accordingly. That rule is a part of my ethnic culture too. Whatever the man does, he will be rewarded with the same coin.
Conclusion
Taking into account all I have mentioned above, I would like to sum up that ethnic identity should be apprehended as a significant part of human development. Ethnic identity is a phenomenon that makes people who they are and prepare them for a life of dignity.