It seems to me that our identity persists throughout our lives. I have the feeling that I am the same person since birth.

This identity embraces a huge amount of learning - all those preferences, skills, and inclinations. None of these were evident when I was born.

It seems to me that our identity is very much learned - and yet I have the feeling that it has been 'me' all along.

Do you think we have an identity or is this just kidding ourselves?

I believe we are born with an identity, a personality. Throughout our upbringing, we learn how to behave through the way we are raised. Some personality traits are, of course, innate; however, I believe that many are learned depending on the type of love and attention we receive as babies and young children.

As we grow, we are affected by not only our parents, but our peers, teachers, religious figures, and our community. This is how we learn right from wrong and many times can be pressured by peers into doing things that may be out of character.

I do not believe, it is not until adulthood that we truly find ourselves and develop our OWN identity.

Yes, we are born with an identity, but the big debate of nature vs. nurture will always be there. There may just be opinions and never one single Truth.

Hi Rebecca,

Like you I think we are a combination of nature and nurture.

I absolutely agree with you both. We are definitely born with a personality, etc., but as we grow and are influenced by those around us, we learn and grow, but don't necessarily change what was inherently born inside of us. But we can gain opinions/biases based on what others tell/show us.

If we watch a young baby, this all becomes clear. They somehow know what toy they want and which ones do not please them. They know the foods that are pleasing. They somehow know when something is funny.
I try to figure out how they know these things if they are not taught them, but seems nature is an incredible teacher.

I have to agree that we are a combination of nature and nurture. We are inherently born with a personality, but it can be changed by our environment.