From an epistemological perspective, an individual’s identity is a complex, deeply enduring aspect of how they see themselves in combination with how the world sees them. The myriad labels that someone uses to express those ideas – demographics, roles, shared patterns, perspectives or preferences – are thought to be their own and do not necessarily correspond to the variables or connections that society designates.

In one sense, then, identity is the hats we put on and take off, varying across space, time, and situation. For example, at work I am a manager, salesperson, electrician; at home I am a gourmet chef, wallpaper hanger, dog walker; and on the weekends I am a rock climber, watercolorist, armchair quarterback. Every decision I make and every action I take is influenced by my sense of who I am.

It seems that what we are searching for lies beyond, “Who am I?” and “Who says so?” Segmentation by personality, character, demographics, social construction and physical attributes tend to ignore identity complexity by assuming the existence of one hat that fits all occasions. Our discourse must also reflect the degree of overlap that exists between and among the groups of which a person is simultaneously a member and the systems within which they ebb and flow. This would allow for boundaries, relationships and diversity.

Perhaps these, then, are our questions:

• How are identities formed?
• How much control do we have in shaping our own identities?
• What are the uncertainties about identity and how can we influence them?

And in reframing our questions, can we get closer to an answer?