Little Women

When I was younger I was a big fan of Barbies. I had the Barbie townhouse, plane, Porsche, and runway. I had a million different outfits for her, never realizing how skimpy they were. My parents didn't really limit the toys I played with because they were the ones who purchased them for me so they could see it before it got into my hands. I was allowed to watch all of the shows on Disney and Nickelodeon and the other kids' programs, but was not allowed to watch the reality shows on MTV like Real World. My exposure to suggestive media has made minimal impact on the way that I perceive myself. Of course I will look at an airbrushed celebrity and wish that I looked like her, but I have never looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. I think my experience at an all girls school has made me less impressionable to the media, because we can openly talk about our flaws without worrying about being judged by boys listening to us. It sounds stereotypical, but I think that girls who go to public school tend to wear less clothing and more make up because they are constantly trying to impress the boys around them and are taking their critiques, whereas girls at single sex schools only have other girls' opinions to worry about, which to me aren't very important.

Sources of My Identity

The first and main source of my identity is my family. They have been with me since my birth, and have shaped me into the person I am today. My mom is headstrong and determined, which has been passed down to me. My dad is compassionate and understanding, which I am still working on. My sister, Tina, has an amazing personality and is liked by everyone she meets. By surrounding myself with positive people, I am able to build a positive identity. Second is my friends. I have been in many different friend circles throughout my life, whether it was in school, sports, or the shore. My school friends were not always solid in grade school, which helped me realize with whom I should really surround myself. I was lucky to become associated with a great group of friends in high school, and other friends on my lacrosse team. They are all so funny and outgoing, which helped me come out of my shell. My friends at the shore are from all different states and schools, which taught me how to adjust to diversity. Lastly, my coaches have shaped me. Sports have been a huge part of my life since I was five, so I have been associated with a plethora of coaches. Some were pushovers, some were tough, some were people I knew, and some were strangers. These coaches were once authority figures in my life, teaching me discipline and the benefits of hard work. Thanks to my coaches I have become a fighter, which is another ingredient in my whole identity.