In what ways is identity a social construct

“Without social identity, there is, in fact, no society.” -- Richard Jenkins The idea that beliefs about “who we are” are created in a social context reflects the basic sociological theory that human beings are socially created, not prisoners of instinct. Sociologists see identity as related to the society in which people exist. People, are, in part, socialized into their identities. There are assorted ways that conceptions about individual and group identities are socially constructed. …

…these groups allows us to feel we belong, and by extension, we are able to define ourselves through our identity and also a sense of purpose to life. All in all, it is through the differences between groups, categories and societies that provide the basis of a specific identity. Behavioural and attitude differences are evidenced everywhere and by explaining these differences through an examination of various sources of identity, sociologists can understand the ways identit