As a rise in children come from multicultural backgrounds, they must determine how to embrace their cultural and personal identity. Our physical features are often read by others to reflect who we are, yet this may lead us to struggle to embrace both cultures. Genetics can play a role in controlling our phenotypes (physical features) as nature chooses to emphasize certain phenotypes through genetics. Fascinatingly, our heretical recessive phenotypes can be masked by the dominant phenotypes, which may pass on through generations without a debut appearance. These invisible genes that we carry may pass onto future generations and be apparent. Ultimately there is an interconnectedness between nature’s ability to mask our physical features and our ability to alter our appearance, in order to reflect who we are.
In revealing identity, we may utilize language and style as a means of reflecting our identity, despite our hidden features. Through speaking a native language and learning to speak a native language, we may allow ourselves to become more in sync with our cultural identity and discover a form of expressing our identity to others. With this, we can also wear clothing that reflects our cultural identity. Through dressing in traditional dress, one may allow themselves to feel more in sync with their culture and selves. As nature calls upon our creativity to reflect our identity and heritage, we may also develop a need to mask certain phenotypes.
With nature’s ability to mask recessive genes, we also can mask certain features in order to conform to society’s beauty stereotypes. The stereotype of beauty that is created in society may influence us to mask our phenotypes to fit this mold. Through straightening one’s curls, lightening skin, medical procedures, or wearing color contacts, we may allow ourselves to fit this mold and to feel accepted by others. Yet, while beauty stereotypes may be a driving force, we may also look to masking our physical features as a means of reflecting our identity.
Through masking certain phenotypes, we may have the ability to fully reflect our identity to others. While our genetics do have dominating phenotypes, we also have the ability to mask these features. If there are certain phenotypes that we reject or feel do not define us, we can choose to deemphasize these features through physical alterations. This can allow us to push past genetics as a reflection of our identity, we have the freedom to express our heritage and our identity.
Works Cited
[1] “Inheritance of Traits by Offspring Follows Predictable Rules.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/inheritance-of-traits-by-offspring-follows-predictable-6524925/.
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