Lesson 2

2. Conclusion

In lesson 2 you were required to reflect on the different factors that have influenced who you are and you are aware that there are 9 main categories that these influences fall into.

Have you thought about how your beliefs and values complement those of other people and the society you live?  Are there values that are commonly embraced by others that you don't agree with?  That's okay because balancing one's own interests and the interests of others is part of who a person is.  "Who am I" can be a highly complex question and is a balancing act between many competing factors such as:

• priorities
• culture
• influences
• languages 
• beliefs and values

Remember how I said it is okay to disagree with others about your beliefs and values.  This is important because that is when change can occur.  Consider this, just over 100 years ago women in Canada did not have the right to vote.  What if no one challenged that notion and women still didn't have the right to vote.  It is thanks to the Famous Five Alberta women that the women's suffrage (the right for women to vote) was allowed in Canada.   I would encourage you to read more about them on page 20 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies.