Grace Cheng (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer
My sense of identity has been heavily affected by Chinese culture. I do not think of identity as something that comes primarily from personal choices or individual goals. Rather, I see my identity through the lens of my relationships, values and traditions that have shaped me since I was a child. Chinese culture taught me that identity rests on concepts such as family, respect, responsibility and how I connect to others. Even today, these cultural influences still affect how I view myself and my place in this world.
One of the strongest influences on my identity is the Confucian tradition that is woven into many parts of Chinese culture. From an early age, I learned the importance of respecting elders, listening carefully and understanding my role within the family. These values taught me that maturity is not only about independence, but also about responsibility. I came to see myself not just as an individual with personal ambitions, but as a child, a family member, an employee and a friend whose actions affect other people. Because of this, my identity has always been relational. I often evaluate my choices by asking how they might impact my family and whether they reflect the values with which I was raised.
My self identity is rooted in family. In Chinese culture, family is not confined to those who live in the same house. Family encompasses the relatives, ancestors and even the generations to come. As I grew up with this idea, I began to feel connected to something beyond myself. I learned that my actions, with significance beyond my own life, could bring pride, worry and honor to the people I associated myself with. This gave me a strong sense of belonging, and also created pressure. Expectations about education, behavior and success were sometimes overwhelming, especially when I wanted to follow my own road. I have therefore, in part, come to define my self-identity as learning to negotiate these expectations with my own goals and desires.
Chinese culture also emphasizes the collective rather than the individual. I was taught the value of harmony, cooperation and modesty. Instead of seeking to be recognized as unique, I often thought of how my actions could benefit the group, and how my conduct could affect the surrounding atmosphere. As a result, I am more sensitive to other people’s feelings and more generous in contributing to a community. More than that, I have often found it difficult to oppose a decision I disagree with or talk about my own needs. In this way, Chinese culture has both helped me shape my identity and frustrated my self-expression.
Another significant component of my identity is the concept of face, which is understood as dignity, respect and social reputation. This concept has heightened my self-awareness in terms of how I present myself and how I conduct myself with others. I am careful not to use words that cause shame and I show respect to others in public settings. Consequently, there is always a feeling that I need to have self-control and exhibit good behavior, which, though sometimes positive, can also cause me to be overly sensitive to criticism and judgment. However, this concept of face has instilled an appreciation for the importance of dignity, reciprocal respect and social awareness in my behavior.
Language is one of the most powerful forces that influence who I am. Chinese has expressions, proverbs, references and modes of communication that reflect education, humility, perseverance and respect, especially filial respect. Communication in Chinese culture varies in terms of age, context and comfort level, with speakers encouraged to be mindful of tone, the importance of timing and interactional meanings. Cultural expectations are built into everyday communication. Language informs my understanding of respect and lifestyle. This means that language has influenced not only my communication behaviors, but my perception of my relationships with others.
Moving to Canada added a new layer to my sense of identity. As a person living between Chinese and Canadian cultures, I have been forced to reflect more deeply on what values I want to keep and how I want to see myself. I saw a greater emphasis in Canadian culture on independence, direct communication and personal choice. These things sometimes contrasted with the cultural expectations I grew up with. I felt caught between two different ways of thinking—one that valued collective duty and one that valued personal freedom. But it was also a growth opportunity. I was, little by little, able to see that these two cultures are not absolute opposites. I could value my family and tradition in a way that was compatible with being comfortable in expression and able to exercise my own choices.
In general, Chinese culture has provided me with a meaningful basis for understanding my identity. It has inculcated in me senses of loyalty, reverence, self-restraint and social responsibility. It has also underscored that my self identity is not just about my personal achievements, but about being part of a lineage, a family and a society. Even when the cultural assumptions feel harsh, they provide a sense of meaning and purpose. They remind me that I belong to a legacy that extends across time, and that has much to offer me in the present.
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Grace has an accounting and finance background. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, watching movies and playing sports.