What makes us who we are? As humans, we exist as a holistic combination of our body, conscience and soul. Our ideologies and opinions constitute who we are whilst providing us with a sense of individuality. They are defined by a variety of factors ranging from personal experiences to culture.

Inevitably, the environment an individual is brought up in plays a role in the constitution of their opinions. From the top of your head, try to think of some of the most important values you live by. Now take a step back and think of your close or even extended social circle and whether or not they live by the same values that you do. While the correlation isn’t necessarily perfect, most people generally share similar principles with the people they consider close.

To exist as part of a larger social circle causes us to be surrounded by different individuals. Thus we are constantly taking in opinions and ideas that are not ours, which eventually leads to an ideological convergence between ourselves and the people we surround ourselves with. Grasping the basis of our opinion formation allows us to gain clarity about our behavior and understand the intertwinement between our individual opinions and those of the community. It sometimes even helps draw a clear line between them.

Once again, look back at your social circle and the correlation with your personal values and think of the basis of connection between the two factors. You might find that the bond you have perhaps occurred as a result of your shared values rather than your values existing as a result of your bond. This can be understood through the tendency of people to be drawn to individuals or groups of people who share similar morals as a result of our innate need to belong. Signifying that our thought structure is not limited to the sole conditioning of our environment helps us understand the way we choose to position ourselves socially. Furthermore, the drives of our social positioning could occur as part of both conscious and unconscious underlying factors.

Our principles and values are shaped by factors that go beyond our personal social circle and extend to the social structures that surround us. This is especially true of individuals that live in collectivistic cultures. Speaking from a personal standpoint of being brought up in an Arab collectivist society, I’ve found that people’s lives are intertwined with culture and tradition. Relationships with others exist as a very large component of social functioning and are often placed as a priority to people’s individual needs. This can be both limiting and liberating in its own ways.

At first glance, the lack of agency that certain societal ideologies may have on individuals could be viewed as a drawback. However, when one delves deeper into the matter, one can find various features of culture and society that have transformed into positive manifestations, allowing individuals to exist as part of a larger narrative and find a sense of belonging within their community.

For example, let’s look at the situation of the UAE again. For instance, hospitality exists as a major aspect of the UAE, being embedded in both the culture and the state religion, with a majority of society complying. Such a social norm exists as more than just a shared standard by society and is embedded into the perspectives of many, if not most of the individuals within the Emirati community.

Another ubiquitous social norm in the UAE is the expectation to conform to the idealized notion of domestic life, which includes marriage and a family. This expectation could highlight the significance of family, thus acting as an encouraging push for those who view it as a priority. On the other hand, however, the constant pressure, especially on individuals who aren’t prepared, could feel like an imposition, which could push individuals to instinctively resent the idea of starting a family. While not all societal values can be considered valid, such as stigma surrounding mental health, it is essential to note that they are usually formed over a long period of time, and should be considered as works in progress which require time in order to disentangle and restructure.

Overall, the environments we are surrounded by play a massive role in shaping our opinions, and to an extent forming who we are. While it’s extremely important to hold onto the values and principles that may be formed on the basis of our surroundings, it’s essential to never lose sight of our genuine perspectives.