Big Question

My big question is:

Does our actions or external environment determine who we are as people?

This question surfaced after talking to my parents. Each of them grew up in countries outside of the United States, and were definitely impacted by their surroundings. For example, my mom lived in Mauritius, a small island off the coast of South Africa. As a child, she faced challenges of being in an environment where boys received more educational attention than did girls. My mom was often placed in situations where she wasn't given the adequate attention she deserved as a child. To a large extent, the environment of Mauritius and the patriarchal family structure in this area discouraged my mom from pursuing the goals she desired: a medical degree and a desire to shape a future for herself. In turn, the environment she was around made her unable to act as she saw fit. In this case, the actions she chose to take as a child were affected by her living environment. Contrarily, the environment in the United States has provided her great confidence to pursue her dreams. This has helped her receive her certification as an MA, and she has fulfilled her medical dreams. While environment has played a large role in my mom's life, she has always been a proactive individual who has made a difference. Her actions have defined her even though her external environment has at times impeded her actions. Her actions have defied her environment and brought her to the successful position she is in today. While environment and action are both important in shaping a person, I feel that my mom thrives in any environment. While she faced many challenges in Mauritius, she took the initiative to overcome these hardships and eventually immigrated to America. Therefore, my mom has been shaped by her actions more than by her external surroundings.