Why do social identities matter?
Social identities are particularly important because they don’t just involve how we think of ourselves (our self-concept), or even how we align ourselves with larger groups of people; they also impact how we are perceived and treated by others.
Social identities are often the grounds on which people experience bias and discrimination. This can occur on an interpersonal level (between individuals) and also on a societal level, because of the ways systems and institutions may support some people’s needs and goals, while impeding those of others.
When biases are “built into” these aspects of our society, they’re referred to as systemic biases, and they can operate even when the actual people involved do not intend or wish to discriminate or cause harm.
Perhaps the most common use of “systemic” in this way is to refer to systemic racism, or the way racial biases become embedded within institutions and perpetuate inequalities.
Example
Our education system still carries within it biases about the ways of learning, types of knowledge and ways of demonstrating mastery that are most acceptable or valid that often favour those from White, Euro-American cultural backgrounds.
Our society also tends to present us with a limited range of models of what an “expert” in a given field looks like, sounds like, dresses like, and so on.
These biases are pervasive and difficult to root out! Becoming more aware of other ways of understanding and relating to the world, such as those found within Indigenous approaches and other cultural frameworks, can help us see where the existing education system can be expanded and reworked to embrace multiple ways of knowing and doing and a wider variety of experts and types of expertise.
The Western binary model of gender
Another example of systemic bias is the Western binary model of gender. This refers to the assumption that everyone is either male or female, and the belief that this identity is rooted in biological characteristics. This model of gender has contributed to the marginalization and exclusion of people who do not fit one or the other of those categories, or whose gender identity is different than the one that they were assigned at birth based on their physical anatomy.
Many aspects of our society are still heavily influenced by this binary model, from architectural features such as washrooms and changerooms, to medical forms and legal documents, to the ways we may think about human histories and cultures.
Undoing these limited, and limiting, ways of thinking, speaking, writing and interacting with others often takes a great deal of effort and practice. But when we do, we’re helping to build a society in which every individual feels seen and valued.
How individuals perceive and define themselves, including their beliefs, values, roles, and identities. Self-concept shapes how people see their place in the world and influences their behaviors, choices, and interactions with others.
Relating to relationships or interactions between two or more people. Interpersonal skills include communication, empathy, and the ability to work well with others.
Relating to society as a whole, including the shared norms, values, structures, and systems that influence how people live and interact. Societal factors can shape opportunities, expectations, and access to resources.
Relating to or affecting an entire system, especially social, institutional, or organizational structures. Systemic issues are often deeply embedded and can create patterns of inequality or exclusion across society.
