As I think about the process in which has molded me into the person that I am today, I realize that most of my beliefs were instilled in me at a young age. These beliefs have directed me in most of the decisions that I have made over the course of my life; and these decisions are exactly what have given me my identity.
             I was raised in a family with strong moral values, for the most part, congruent to the values of American culture. I accepted the fact that my mother and father were the authority figures in my life and allowed them to guide me. Being very young I believed what they told me and adopted their beliefs. This helped me to develop my own self-concept. I admired my parents achieved status and social success and realized that I wanted to lead a life like theirs.
             Just like the beliefs of my parents, and many other parents and adults in society, they believed the only way for me to attain that "American dream" was to go to school for a proper education. At first it was hard for me to accept the idea of school. I found it to be tedious and most of the time superfluous. However, fearing the disapproval of my family, and realizing the importance of education, I continued school. Being around my peers also helped me realize that education was considered a norm, and anyone who did not follow through with it received personal ramifications in their lives.
             Eventually I graduated high school and based on the accepted beliefs of my family, and also viewing most of my peer group continuing on to college, I decided to be a part of that. I wasn't quite sure of what to expect, so I just told myself that this was going to be a pivotal moment in my life, and to expect inevitable change. I've learned this is called anticipatory socialization, which in part, prepared me for my journey. College was a whole new, liberating experience. I soon realized that I did not have to follow in my parents' footsteps exactl...