Cultural Representation and Identity Development
Identity development is an individual's internal process of discovering who they are, their values, beliefs, and sense of self. This can be influenced by various factors such as family background, social class, gender, ethnicity, religion, education level, upbringing, location, experiences, interests, and so on. Cultural representation is the way individuals see themselves reflected in media and society around them. It influences how people view themselves and what potential outcomes they may imagine for their future selves.
If someone grows up seeing only white people portrayed as successful business executives in movies, TV shows, books, and advertising campaigns, they may come to believe that success requires being white. They may also struggle to envision themselves achieving such success because there is no one like them representing it. On the other hand, if someone sees diverse representations of successful professionals in multiple industries, they may feel more hopeful about achieving similar goals regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Without adequate cultural representation in the media, individuals may lack positive role models from their own community or culture, which can hinder identity formation.
If they never see people like them doing certain activities or reaching particular milestones, they may not even consider those options as possibilities for their lives.
Some argue that lack of cultural representation does not necessarily mean a lack of self-esteem or self-worth. Instead, individuals may use creativity and imagination to fill in gaps and create their own visions of possible selves.
An individual who feels underrepresented might focus on personal qualities and talents rather than appearances or career paths. This approach encourages internal motivation and agency over external validation and achievement.
Cultural representation plays an essential role in shaping individuals' identities and aspirations. Providing accurate and inclusive depictions in media helps broaden horizons and inspire young people to pursue their dreams without limits based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other attribute.
How does cultural representation—or lack thereof—affect the formation of possible selves in identity development?
It is undeniable that cultural representation affects how individuals form their possible selves in the process of identity development. Cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping one's self-concept, which refers to an individual's perception of oneself as a person and can include various factors such as ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and national origin.