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124 Personal Identity Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Personal Identity Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Personal identity is a complex and multi-faceted concept that encompasses how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. Exploring personal identity can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world. In this article, we will provide you with 124 personal identity essay topic ideas and examples to help inspire your writing.

• The role of culture in shaping personal identity
• How do social media profiles influence personal identity?
• The impact of family background on personal identity
• Exploring the concept of self-identity
• How do personal experiences shape one's identity?
• The relationship between personal identity and self-esteem
• The influence of gender on personal identity
• How do personal values shape one's identity?
• The impact of education on personal identity
• The role of religion in shaping personal identity
• How does race and ethnicity influence personal identity?
• The impact of language on personal identity
• The influence of societal norms on personal identity
• How does personal identity change over time?
• Exploring the concept of multiple identities
• The impact of social class on personal identity
• The relationship between personal identity and mental health
• How do personal relationships shape one's identity?
• The influence of physical appearance on personal identity
• The role of personal beliefs in shaping identity
• How does personal identity influence career choices?
• The impact of trauma on personal identity
• Exploring the concept of collective identity
• The relationship between personal identity and social identity
• How does personal identity influence decision-making?
• The influence of media on personal identity
• The impact of technology on personal identity
• The role of personal interests in shaping identity
• How do personal goals influence one's identity?
• The influence of political beliefs on personal identity
• Exploring the concept of national identity
• The impact of globalization on personal identity
• The relationship between personal identity and self-expression
• How does personal identity influence social interactions?
• The influence of personal experiences on cultural identity
• The impact of migration on personal identity
• The role of language in shaping cultural identity
• How do personal values influence cultural identity?
• The relationship between cultural identity and national identity
• Exploring the concept of hybrid identity
• The impact of globalization on cultural identity
• The influence of media on cultural identity
• The role of education in shaping cultural identity
• How does cultural identity influence social interactions?
• The impact of colonialism on cultural identity
• The relationship between cultural identity and language
• Exploring the concept of diaspora identity
• The influence of religion on cultural identity
• The role of food in shaping cultural identity
• How do cultural traditions influence identity?
• The impact of migration on cultural identity
• How does cultural identity influence personal relationships?
• The influence of societal norms on cultural identity
• The role of music in shaping cultural identity
• Exploring the concept of intercultural identity
• The impact of technology on cultural identity
• The influence of fashion on cultural identity
• The relationship between cultural identity and social identity
• How does cultural identity influence decision-making?
• The impact of globalization on national identity
• The role of history in shaping national identity
• Exploring the concept of ethnic identity
• The influence of language on national identity
• The relationship between national identity and cultural identity
• How does national identity influence political beliefs?
• The impact of colonialism on national identity
• The role of symbols in shaping national identity
• Exploring the concept of regional identity
• The influence of geography on national identity
• The relationship between national identity and social identity
• How does national identity influence personal values?
• The impact of migration on national identity
• The role of education in shaping national identity
• Exploring the concept of national pride
• The influence of media on national identity
• The relationship between national identity and global identity
• How does national identity influence decision-making?
• The impact of nationalism on national identity
• The role of sports in shaping national identity
• Exploring the concept of national heritage
• The influence of language on regional identity
• The relationship between regional identity and cultural identity
• How does regional identity influence social interactions?
• The impact of history on regional identity
• The role of geography in shaping regional identity
• Exploring the concept of local identity
• The influence of traditions on regional identity
• The relationship between regional identity and national identity
• How does regional identity influence personal relationships?
• The impact of migration on regional identity
• The role of education in shaping regional identity
• Exploring the concept of regional pride
• The influence of media on regional identity
• The relationship between regional identity and social identity
• How does regional identity influence decision-making?
• The impact of globalization on regional identity
• The role of sports in shaping regional identity
• Exploring the concept of regional heritage
• The influence of language on local identity
• The relationship between local identity and cultural identity
• How does local identity influence social interactions?
• The impact of history on local identity
• The role of geography in shaping local identity
• Exploring the concept of community identity
• The influence of traditions on local identity
• The relationship between local identity and national identity
• How does local identity influence personal relationships?
• The impact of migration on local identity
• The role of education in shaping local identity
• Exploring the concept of local pride
• The influence of media on local identity
• The relationship between local identity and social identity
• How does local identity influence decision-making?
• The impact of globalization on local identity
• The role of community events in shaping local identity
• Exploring the concept of community heritage
• The influence of language on community identity
• The relationship between community identity and cultural identity
• How does community identity influence social interactions?
• The impact of history on community identity
• The role of geography in shaping community identity
• Exploring the concept of neighborhood identity
• The influence of traditions on community identity

In conclusion, personal identity is a complex and nuanced concept that is shaped by a variety of factors, including culture, social interactions, personal experiences, and more. By exploring different facets of personal identity, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. We hope that the essay topic ideas and examples provided in this article will inspire you to further explore the concept of personal identity and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

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Essays About Identity: 18 Writing Prompts for Students

Get inspiration for your essays about identity with these 18 inspiring writing prompts.

There are many times when a student needs to write an essay. Many colleges will ask for a personal essay when entering college, and the topic may be open-ended for these projects. You may also be asked to write a “who am I” essay for this.

Who am I essays are a great opportunity for self-reflection. You can delve into what makes you tick and what actions have defined your character over the years. Writing these essays also allows you to showcase your writing skills. However, this is one place where you have to do the writing yourself, not ask for help from a writing service with professional writers because you need to write about your own life and your experiences. Someone else cannot do this for you.

Essays about who am I can be challenging to write because they are so open-ended. Unless you have a clear direction from the assignment, you may need to get a little creative with the direction you take this essay. Here are some sample essay topics that deeply explore “who am I.” Consider using one to start your ideas flowing as you create an excellent personal essay.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. I Am a Good Leader

2.  exploring my future, 3. who i want to be, 4. who i am and how i change, 5. my likes and dislikes, 6. my worldview, 7. how i am similar to my father/mother, 8. who i am in three words, 9. i am a survivor, 10. my ethnicity, 11. i am more than just good grades, 12. my bravest moment, 13. how my childhood experiences made me, 14. i am a good friend, 15. why i will succeed, 16. i am a product of my choices, 17. i am a failure (and what i learned from it), 18. i am my role in the family.

Depending on the purpose of your who am I essay, describing your leadership skills could be a great option. You could explain how your life experiences have transformed you into someone with strong leadership potential. You could explore the character traits that lend themselves well to leadership.

This essay topic has a lot of room for interpretation. For example, even if you don’t see yourself as a leader, you might have much leadership potential when you dig into your character. So, pull out that leadership and build it into a personal essay.

This personal essay topic allows you to explore what you anticipate for your future. If you are writing an essay in high school as part of the college application process, you can incorporate why you are a good fit for the school into this essay to help your essay stand out.

When exploring your future in an essay, be sure to explore who you are as a person and why your future goals make sense based on your character traits and passions. This self-reflection will make for a powerful essay.

Not all who I am essays need to be about who you currently are. Instead, you can write a powerful essay about the person you hope to become. Every human being has tremendous potential, and you can showcase that potential in an essay sample.

Think about your character traits and life goals. What could you do with those traits to reach those goals? Exploring these ideas could create a strong essay example.

The human experience is all about change. We change as we grow and develop into more mature individuals. You could explore how you change in an essay that would talk about how your growth and development make you into a better person.

Exploring things that are the catalyst for change in your life can be a good starting point for a personal essay. Since you are unique, your changes will come from a different place than other people. There is quite a bit to talk about with this topic.

Your likes and dislikes are what make you who you are. If you are focused on personal essay writing, this can be a good place to start. Because you have many things that you like or do not like, this can be a lengthy essay topic idea.

Go beyond the surface here. While you could talk about foods you like and dislike, is there something deeper you could explore? Are there particular topics that inspire you and others that turn you away? The answers to these questions will help you explore this essay topic.

A worldview is a platform through which you view the world, politics, and social concerns. It could be religious, sociological, or even ethical. Spending time figuring out your worldview helps you understand your way of relating to the world.

Once you know what your worldview is, you will be able to expound on it in your essay. Explain what you believe, but also explain why. Being able to support your reasons with self-reflection and logic will make your final essay exceptional.

Do you take after one of your parents? Compare your character traits to theirs to see how you connect. Seeing yourself in another person is a great way to reflect on what makes you, you.

Again, this is a place to dig deep. Look beyond the surface like physical characteristics and look at your character traits and how they are similar to your parent. You might find that you have quite a bit in common as you start analyzing the answer to this question.

Can you describe yourself in just three words? This essay topic is an exercise in brevity, giving you the chance to hone in on who you are. But, of course, an essay is not just three words.

Once you decide what your three words are, you can expound on them. For example, if one of your words is “student,” you can explore what that means. Likewise, if you choose to state your race, you can discuss why that is a defining feature.

Have you survived something traumatic in your life? If so, you could write an engaging essay about how you are a survivor. Many people who go through traumatic circumstances suffer a victim mentality, but you could focus on how you are choosing to be a survivor, not a victim.

Focus on the trail a little, but discuss how the trial has grown you as a person. You can show in your essay how you can move past difficulties and embrace the change that they bring. This essay can clearly show your resistance as a human being.

A person’s ethnicity is an important part of who they are. This can be an engaging essay topic, as it gives you the chance to celebrate your ethnicity, beliefs, and family history.

This topic is quite fascinating to delve into, but be careful. You do not want to come across as being fully defined by your race alone. Be sure to weave other character traits into this particular essay topic so that you come across as a well-rounded, balanced person. Remember, your ethnicity is just a portion of who you are as a whole person.

The academic world often gets too focused on grades and reports. While grades are important, you should be more than just a grade card. Hard work should matter just as much as the actual score, especially if you have some challenges that make learning and test-taking more difficult.

If you are more than just good grades, what does define you? When writing this essay, make sure you define your character traits in a positive light. Keep the essay upbeat and show how your hard work will define you even when grades do not.

Is there a time when you expressed a significant amount of bravery? It does not have to be a mountaintop rescue or a near-death experience. It could be as simple as standing up in front of a class for the first time to deliver a speech.

Find an example of bravery from your life and expound on it in your essay. Explain what made you feel afraid and how you overcame the fear to do something truly brave. Use this exploration to showcase some characteristics that help you act bravely in frightening situations.

Most people have quite a bit of development from their personal childhood experiences. Can you find some of these and point to specific ways they influenced your character as an adult? This idea could be a great way to explore who you are today.

Are you a social person because you spent a lot of time with people when you were young? Are you more introverted because you did not? You might find that your childhood significantly impacts your character, giving you an engaging essay topic to explore.

If you are a good friend to others, it says quite a bit about your character. Can you showcase how you are a good friend to others in your essay? What makes you someone people want to spend time with?

Character traits that make you a good friend can also make you a good student. Are you trustworthy or particularly friendly? These traits will help you in the classroom and your social life, so highlight them in your essay.

Do you picture yourself as a success in the future? If so, explain why in your essay. For example, you may think that you will succeed in starting your own business . Or maybe you have specific skills that make you confident of your abilities in the classroom.

Showing your confidence in your essay is helpful as you try to promote yourself to your potential college or your high school teacher. First, spend some time evaluating what it is about you that means you are likely to succeed, then compile that into an essay that shows your skills in the best possible light.

Our choices define us. Can you turn that into an essay topic? Can you showcase how your choices have created the person you are today, or can you write about one particular choice that was defining in your life?

This essay topic gives you quite a bit of time for self-reflection. You can easily highlight a particularly good choice you made or focus on a mistake and how you overcame the consequences of that mistake. Either way, you can use the choices in your life to outline who you are and why.

We all have failures in our life. This essay topic shocks the reader and gets their attention, which can make it powerful, but it also gives room to discuss failure positively. Talk about one of the biggest failures you have had in life and what you learned from it.

You can use this essay topic to transform something negative into something positive. First, think about how that monumental failure defined you and how the lessons you learned from the failure have made you a better person today.

Are you a parent, sibling, or child? Are you the only child or one of many? These family dynamics can significantly impact who you are as a person, so consider exploring them as part of your essay.

Discuss how your role within your family has defined you and what it means for your future. Focus on the strengths that your role gave you rather than any drawbacks. Remember, your essay promotes you as a person and a writer, so keep it positive.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

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Why Identity Matters and How It Shapes Us

Verywell / Zoe Hansen

Defining Identity

• What Makes Up a Person's Identity?

Identity Development Across the Lifespan

The importance of identity, tips for reflecting on your identity.

Your identity is a set of physical, mental, emotional, social, and interpersonal characteristics that are unique to you.

It encapsulates your core personal values and your beliefs about the world, says Asfia Qaadir , DO, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at PrairieCare.

In this article, we explore the concept of identity, its importance, factors that contribute to its development , and some strategies that can help you reflect upon your identity.

Your identity gives you your sense of self. It is a set of traits that distinguishes you from other people, because while you might have some things in common with others, no one else has the exact same combination of traits as you.

Your identity also gives you a sense of continuity, i.e. the feeling that you are the same person you were two years ago and you will be the same person two days from now.

Asfia Qaadir, DO, Psychiatrist

Your identity plays an important role in how you treat others and how you carry yourself in the world.

What Makes Up a Person's Identity?

These are some of the factors that can contribute to your identity:

• Physical appearance
• Physical sensations
• Emotional traits
• Life experiences
• Genetics 
• Health conditions
• Nationality
• Race  
• Social community 
• Peer group 
• Political environment
• Spirituality
• Sexuality 
• Personality
• Beliefs 
• Finances 

We all have layers and dimensions that contribute to who we are and how we express our identity.

All of these factors interact together and influence you in unique and complex ways, shaping who you are. Identity formation is a subjective and deeply personal experience.

Identity development is a lifelong process that begins in childhood, starts to solidify in adolescence, and continues through adulthood.

Childhood is when we first start to develop a self-concept and form an identity.

As children, we are highly dependent on our families for our physical and emotional needs. Our early interactions with family members play a critical role in the formation of our identities.

During this stage, we learn about our families and communities, and what values are important to them, says Dr. Qaadir. 

The information and values we absorb in childhood are like little seeds that are planted years before we can really intentionally reflect upon them as adults, says Dr. Qaadir.

Traumatic or abusive experiences during childhood can disrupt identity formation and have lasting effects on the psyche.

Adolescence

Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation.

As teenagers, we start to intentionally develop a sense of self based on how the values we’re learning show up in our relationships with ourselves, our friends, family members, and in different scenarios that challenge us, Dr. Qaadir explains.

Adolescence is a time of discovering ourselves, learning to express ourselves, figuring out where we fit in socially (and where we don’t), developing relationships, and pursuing interests, says Dr. Qaadir.

This is the period where we start to become independent and form life goals. It can also be a period of storm and stress , as we experience mood disruptions, challenge authority figures, and take risks as we try to work out who we are.

As adults, we begin building our public or professional identities and deepen our personal relationships, says Dr. Qaadir.

These stages are not set in stone, rather they are fluid, and we get the rest of our lives to continue experiencing life and evolving our identities, says Dr. Qaadir.

Having a strong sense of identity is important because it:

• Creates self-awareness: A strong sense of identity can give you a deep sense of awareness of who you are as a person. It can help you understand your likes, dislikes, actions, motivations, and relationships.
• Provides direction and motivation: Having a strong sense of identity can give you a clear understanding of your values and interests, which can help provide clarity, direction, and motivation when it comes to setting goals and working toward them.
• Enables healthy relationships: When you know and accept yourself, you can form meaningful connections with people who appreciate and respect you for who you are. A strong sense of identity also helps you communicate effectively, establish healthy boundaries, and engage in authentic and fulfilling interactions.
• Keeps you grounded: Our identities give us roots when things around us feel chaotic or uncertain, says Dr. Qaadir. “Our roots keep us grounded and help us remember what truly matters at the end of the day.”
• Improves decision-making: Understanding yourself well can help you make choices that are consistent with your values, beliefs, and long-term goals. This clarity reduces confusion, indecision, and the tendency to conform to others' expectations, which may lead to poor decision-making .
• Fosters community participation: Identity is often shaped by cultural, social, political, spiritual, and historical contexts. Having a strong sense of identity allows you to understand, appreciate, and take pride in your cultural heritage. This can empower you to participate actively in society, express your unique perspective, and contribute to positive societal change.

On the other hand, a weak sense of identity can make it more difficult to ground yourself emotionally in times of stress and more confusing when you’re trying to navigate major life decisions, says Dr. Qaadir.

Dr. Qaadir suggests some strategies that can help you reflect on your identity:

• Art: Art is an incredible medium that can help you process and reflect on your identity. It can help you express yourself in creative and unique ways.
• Reading: Reading peoples’ stories through narrative is an excellent way to broaden your horizons, determine how you feel about the world around you, and reflect on your place in it.
• Journaling: Journaling can also be very useful for self-reflection . It can help you understand your feelings and motivations better.
• Conversation: Conversations with people can expose you to diverse perspectives, and help you form and represent your own.
• Nature: Being in nature can give you a chance to reflect undisturbed. Spending time in nature often has a way of putting things in perspective.
• Relationships: You can especially strengthen your sense of identity through the relationships around you. It is valuable to surround yourself with people who reflect your core values but may be different from you in other aspects of identity such as personality styles, cultural backgrounds, passions, professions, or spiritual paths because that provides perspective and learning from others.

American Psychological Association. Identity .

Pfeifer JH, Berkman ET. The development of self and identity in adolescence: neural evidence and implications for a value-based choice perspective on motivated behavior . Child Dev Perspect . 2018;12(3):158-164. doi:10.1111/cdep.12279

Hasanah U, Susanti H, Panjaitan RU. Family experience in facilitating adolescents during self-identity development . BMC Nurs . 2019;18(Suppl 1):35. doi:10.1186/s12912-019-0358-7

Dereboy Ç, Şahin Demirkapı E, et al. The relationship between childhood traumas, identity development, difficulties in emotion regulation and psychopathology . Turk Psikiyatri Derg . 2018;29(4):269-278.

Branje S, de Moor EL, Spitzer J, Becht AI. Dynamics of identity development in adolescence: a decade in review . J Res Adolesc . 2021;31(4):908-927. doi:10.1111/jora.12678

Stirrups R.  The storm and stress in the adolescent brain .  The Lancet Neurology . 2018;17(5):404. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30112-1

Fitzgerald A. Professional identity: A concept analysis . Nurs Forum . 2020;55(3):447-472. doi:10.1111/nuf.12450

National Institute of Standards and Technology. Identity .

By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

Reclaiming Identity

"Identity" is one of the most hotly debated topics in literary theory and cultural studies. This bold and groundbreaking collection of ten essays argues that identity is not just socially constructed but has real epistemic and political consequences for how people experience the world. Advocating a "postpositivist realist" approach to identity, the essays examine the ways in which theory, politics, and activism clash with or complement each other, providing an alternative to the widely influential postmodernist understandings of identity. Although theoretical in orientation, this dynamic collection deals with specific social groups—Chicanas/os, African Americans, gay men and lesbians, Asian Americans, and others—and concrete social issues directly related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, epistemology, and political resistance.  Satya Mohanty's brilliant exegesis of Toni Morrison's  Beloved  serves as a launching pad for the collection. The essays that follow, written by prominent and up-and-coming scholars, address a range of topics—from the writings of Cherrie Moraga, Franz Fanon, Joy Kogawa, and Michael Nava to the controversy surrounding racial program housing on college campuses—and work toward a truly interdisciplinary approach to identity.

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Essay Samples on Personal Identity

Personal identity encompasses the fundamental question of “Who am I?” It delves into the complex layers of our individuality, examining the factors that define and distinguish us as unique beings. Exploring personal identity involves introspection and contemplation of various aspects, such as our beliefs, values, experiences, and relationships. It invites us to unravel the intricacies of our self-perception and the influences that shape our identities in personal identity essay examples.

How to Write an Essay on Personal Identity

When crafting an essay on personal identity, it is essential to begin by defining the term and setting the stage for further exploration. Establish a strong thesis statement that outlines your perspective on the topic. Consider incorporating personal anecdotes or real-life examples to illustrate your points effectively. Remember to maintain a logical flow of ideas, guiding your readers through the intricate terrain of personal identity. Conclude your essay by summarizing key findings and offering thought-provoking insights or suggestions for further exploration of the topic.

To create an engaging and comprehensive personal identity essay, delve into various philosophical, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives on personal identity. Explore influential theories, such as John Locke’s bundle theory or David Hume’s notion of the self as a bundle of perceptions. Analyze the impact of cultural and societal factors on shaping personal identities, highlighting the interplay between individual agency and external influences.

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Drawing upon reputable sources and research studies will lend credibility to your essay, allowing readers to explore different perspectives and deepen their understanding of personal identity.

Whether you are seeking free essay on personal identity or aiming to develop your own unique viewpoint, our collection of essays will serve as an invaluable resource.

How Does Society Shape Our Identity

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How Does Family Influence Your Identity

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Evolving Identities: The Concept of Self-Identity and Self-Perception

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Free Cultural Identity: Understanding of One's Identity

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My Cultural Identity and Preserving Ancestors' Traditions

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Identity Crisis: What Shapes Your Identity

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Race and Ethnicity — American Identity

Essays on American Identity

Hook examples for identity essays, anecdotal hook.

Standing at the crossroads of cultures and heritage, I realized that my identity is a mosaic, a tapestry woven from the threads of my diverse experiences. Join me in exploring the intricate journey of self-discovery.

Question Hook

What defines us as individuals? Is it our cultural background, our values, or our personal beliefs? The exploration of identity leads us down a path of introspection and understanding.

Quotation Hook

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." These words from Ralph Waldo Emerson resonate as a testament to the importance of authentic identity.

Cultural Identity Hook

Our cultural roots run deep, shaping our language, traditions, and worldview. Dive into the rich tapestry of cultural identity and how it influences our sense of self.

Identity and Belonging Hook

Human beings have an innate desire to belong. Explore the intricate relationship between identity and the sense of belonging, and how it impacts our social and emotional well-being.

Identity in a Digital Age Hook

In an era of social media and digital personas, our sense of identity takes on new dimensions. Analyze how technology and online interactions shape our self-perception.

Identity and Self-Acceptance Hook

Coming to terms with our true selves can be a challenging journey. Explore the importance of self-acceptance and how it leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

An Analysis of Uncle Sam: Symbolism and Impact on American Identity

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A Discussion on Latin Americans Developing Their American Identity

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National identity can be defined as an overarching system of collective characteristics and values in a nation, American identity has been based historically upon: “race, ethnicity, religion, culture and ideology”.

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5 Key Ideas About Identity Theory

What is an identity and how does it work.

Posted January 25, 2019 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

1. Why are people motivated to be authentic? The ultimate goal for individuals is to develop and nurture those choices that are consistent with their true self (Waterman, 1984). Authenticity is the feeling that one is being one’s true self (Jongman-Sereno and Leary, 2018). To find more happiness in life means to live in harmony with one’s true self.

What does it mean to be who you are is a central question in identity theory. (Burke and Stets, 2009). Identity (self-views) relates to our basic values that determine the choices we make (e.g., relationships, career ). The meaning of an identity includes expectations for self about how one should behave. For example, an obstetrician delivering a baby in a hospital is expected to express feeling quite different than the parents of the newborn child.

2. Identity formation . However, few people choose their identities. Instead, they simply internalize the values of their parents or the dominant cultures (e.g., a pursuit of materialism , power, and appearance). Imagine how different you would become growing up in a different culture or different times. Society shapes the self and guide behavior. Children come to define themselves in terms of how they think their parents see them. If their parents see them as worthless or incapable, they will come to define themselves as worthless or useless-and vice versa.

3. Role identity. People also have many identities as they belong to different networks of organized relationships. For example, a person may hold various identities such as a teacher, father, or friend. Each role or position has its own meanings and expectations that are internalized as identity. For example, my role as a college professor involves a set of expectations (being knowledgeable and competent). I am also a father with a different set of expectations (being regarded as warm and loving).

Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed upon a person. For example, consider the challenge of presenting yourself in social media when you interact with friends, family, and coworkers. According to identity theory, the identity with a higher level of commitment will guide the behavior.

Having several identities provides a sense of purpose in life, especially when roles are chosen freely. People who are able to choose their identities are those who have control over their lives compared to others who are obligated by life circumstances into particular identities (e.g., being stuck at a bad job or relationship).

4. The desire to feel valued. People are motivated to verify or confirm their existing self-views (Swann, 1983). Identity verification produces positive feelings. That is why we prefer to associate with those who see us the way we see ourselves and avoid those who do not. Alternatively, one may display identity cues by looking the part (e.g., dressing a certain way, wearing a specific baseball cap, or using a particular speech style) to send a message so that others recognize their identities.

Failure to verify identity produces self-esteem problem. When social relationships do not contribute to identity-verification, individuals may leave such relationships and seek identity-verification and self-esteem elsewhere. For example, a study showed that when couples verify their spousal identities, their feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence are increased and their distress and depression decreased (Burke and Stets, 2009). Being with a partner who confirms your self-view as a spouse makes you feel better about yourself.

5. Identity change. The lack of abilities to confirm and verify an identity leads to a change in identity standards. For example, people’s identities change as a result of situational changes such as marriage , divorce , job loss, change of place to live, and illness. In marriage, people take on the spousal identity that their partner wanted them to have. Under these conditions, what it means to be who you are will change. What was me becomes not-me. They disengage from the social expectations of given roles and think of themselves apart from the people they were in the previous roles (Stets and Serpe, 2016). These slow and small changes add up over time so that in five or 10 years, you will look back and recognize how much you have changed.

Burke Peter J., Stets Jan E. (2009), Identity Theory. New York: Oxford University Press.

Jongman-Sereno, K. P., & Leary, M. R. (2016). Self-perceived authenticity is contaminated by the valence of one’s behavior. Self and Identity, 15(3), 283–301.

Stets, Jan E. and Richard T. Serpe (Editors). 2016. New Directions in Identity Theory and Research. New York: Oxford University Press.

Swann, W. B., Jr. (1983). Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Social psychological perspectives on the self (Vol. 2, pp. 33-66). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Waterman, A. S. (1984). Identity formation: Discovery or creation? Journal of Early Adolescence, 4, 329-341.

Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., is an associate professor emeritus of health economics of addiction at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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170 Original Thesis Topics and Ideas For Your Winning Paper

Throughout your college and graduate school career, you will be required to write hundreds of academic papers across myriad subjects. Choosing good thesis topics is just one of the major factors necessary to achieve academic excellence. This article does not tell you how to write a good thesis but focuses on the process of developing great senior thesis topics that are challenging yet don’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.

• How to Develop and Choose Great Thesis Paper Topics?

Computer Science Thesis Topics

Psychology thesis topics, art history thesis topics, sociology thesis topics, economics thesis topics, psychology dissertation topics, architecture thesis topics, criminal justice thesis topics, philosophy thesis topics, history thesis topics, ms thesis topics, where you can find thesis writing help for your topics.

Our list of 170 free thesis statement topics is broken into 12 of the most popular subjects. These are only suggestions and you’re certainly encouraged to modify them as you deem appropriate. Keep in mind that good dissertation topics should aim to push the envelope of academic research while answering important scholarly questions within the field. Don’t feel constrained by what these thesis topics attempt to explore – what inspires your curiosity is the most important aspect of writing a thesis that warrants readership and appreciation.

How to Develop and Choose Great Thesis Topics?

Your thesis statement should be interesting.

You’ve likely heard over and over that the best master thesis topics should always be on something interesting – but does not take this to mean that it only applies to what a reader thinks is interesting. You should genuinely be curious about the topic you want to explore. This will invariably lead to more effective research, writing, and presentation of the chosen topic.

Make Sure You Can Find Enough Resources

Time is limited, and so too are resources. If your topic is too narrow you may not have access to all the resources you need to adequately answer the questions you seek. Ask the resource librarian for some dissertation topic examples to get a sense of the number of resources you will need to include in the bibliography and then triple that number. This is the average amount of research materials you will need to locate in your study.

Meet with Your Advisor to Discuss Options

Finally, you will need to meet with your academic advisor throughout the process of finishing your capstone project, so you will benefit from meeting with him or her as you consider your topics to discuss options. If, for instance, you are going over art history thesis topics , an advisor can point you to previous studies, research, resources, and more. You may find early that your topic may not be doable – and save yourself time by choosing altogether different.

Our List of Great Thesis Ideas On Any Subject

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• How does a modern artist make enough income in the days of technology and digital art?
• Analyze the Monalisa painting and why it is popular.
• What is the origin of the traditional Chinese and Japanese costumes?
• What are the most popular pies of Mesopotamian art, and what made them popular?
• How did Hinduism influence the early Indian Act?
• Research on the construction of the Great Wall of China.
• What is the origin of the Greek theatre?
• How much influence do parents have on their children’s educational and social engagement?
• In what ways do cross-cultural relationships change the way children think about the world?
• What are the most important aspects of gender inequality at work and how is it fixed?
• How much do food cultures link to anticipated health and welfare in American adults?
• What is the relationship between ethnicity and the levels of completed education in children?
• What are the biggest factors leading certain populations to alcohol or drug addiction?
• How is media affecting the way youth view their images as a result of how they are represented?
• In what ways has social media impacted the way America’s youth interacts with the world?
• Impacts of Alcohol among the youths.
• Adaption and the consequences of adopting a child.
• Diffusion and innovation in European culture and what it means for the features of these countries.
• How would people react if organ transplant gets completely banned?
• What are the challenges that working women face in today’s society?
• What are the impacts of life sentences, and should this be changed
• What are the five major principles of global economics and how do they affect international law?
• In what ways are developing countries in Asia affected by short and long-term econ policies?
• How important is it for the average American investor to know about global economics?
• In what ways should a person’s wealth be distributed to more philanthropic or charitable activities?
• What do international economics offer the average American in terms of financial happiness?
• How has the alcohol industry changed over the last century across different parts of Europe?
• In what ways has big data mining affected the way global economics and financing have changed?
• What are the main reasons why the Trump presidency has negatively affected international trade?
• What is fiscal policy, and what should people know about it?
• Define and explain three opportunity costs.
• How do banks set the exchange rate?
• What is the reason why some resources are rare?
• What does economic forecasting entail?
• What are the pros and cons of privatization?
• What are the connections between employee satisfaction and how they perform at work?
• How are women affected by misogynistic language in the workplace that emphasizes inequality?
• In what ways does the formation of negative habits make it harder for people to learn new things?
• What role does anxiety have in the way students score on standardized high school level tests?
• How does jealousy determine how long or successful a marriage can be in today’s age of the web?
• What effect does a person’s amount of time that is spent on social media impact his/her satisfaction?
• Are humans becoming far more dependent on instant information and less likely to learn the truth?
• What are some of the negative assumptions about women suffering from postpartum depression?
• Some eating and personality disorder
• What is the importance of communication in a relationship?
• What are the social and psychological effects of virtue networks?
• What role does a medium play in provoking aggression?
• How does cognitive behavior therapy help in dealing with depressed adolescents?
• How can depression and its risk factor be prevented?
• In what ways did ancient architecture from Greece and Rome influence modern government buildings?
• What impact did Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style have on Los Angeles’ urban planning?
• Why do historians believe the Egyptian Pyramids were created to their exact shape and scale?
• How did Roman aqueducts impact the way communities evolved as a result of improved canals?
• What dangers do the Venice canal systems face as a result of increasing temperatures and water levels?
• How will architecture in major metropolitan areas change as a result of rising populations in the world?
• Is architecture considered a science or an art and how does this affect the way we study it today?
• What is parametric architecture and what other forms blend appropriately with it aesthetically?
• Explain the construction of Time conception in the Architectural Realm.
• Waterfront development- the process of beach convention and exhibition centers.
• What is the design of ruled surfaces?
• An analytic study of the design potential kinetic Architecture.
• A survey of China from an archeologist’s point of view.
• A look at Russian fairy-tale-style houses and huts.
• How is jury selection affected by how politicians are perceived on social media?
• Is it accurate to say that minorities receive a fair and unbiased trial in today’s political climate?
• How do President Trump’s policies and comments targeting minorities affect their rights in court?
• What challenges does cyber-crime present for lawmakers who have to put corporations on trial?
• Should large corporations face larger crimes as a result of the amount of money they make publicly?
• Why aren’t CEOs of multi-billion dollar companies held to the same criminal standards as the public?
• Should human trafficking face larger penalties as a result of the dark web and ease of communication?
• Does the internet perpetuate certain crimes as a result of its widespread and virtual anonymity?
• The relationship between the police and people from different backgrounds.
• What is the reliability of an eye-witness testimony?
• What methods can be used to help prevent international drug trafficking?
• Why does the crime rate increase during emergencies?
• Why are men more likely to get death penalties?
• In what ways does the drug court assist or hurt people with addiction?

Thesis Topics in Education

• What are the biggest evolutionary changes to the major approaches in education throughout the world?
• How have China’s educational methods changed in the last half-century to position them as world leaders?
• Can educational programs in South America help those countries combat poverty in their communities?
• Should core subjects be re-evaluated in light of the quickly changing needs of today’s modern world?
• Should the United States make bigger investments in bringing tech tools to poorer school districts?
• Can teachers continue to use traditional methods for grading when class size continues to increase?
• Why do people lose the desire to learn new subjects in their adult years? How can this be addressed?
• Should more parents be involved in schools’ educational policies and curriculum development?
• Do graduate programs in education adequately prepare tomorrow’s teachers for the business world?
• Are there any career development programs in Elementary schools?
• What are the character development programs in elementary schools?
• Should the use of the pass-fail grading be limited?
• What is the impact of promoting parent volunteering in schools?
• Teaching children with speech-language pathology.
• How does the efficiency of classroom management help to reduce stress?
• Is abortion a philosophical or political question? Should ethics be removed from this conversation?
• Is it a must to lead an ethical life to achieve true human happiness in today’s competitive world?
• What does it mean to support ethical farming practices in light of the world’s hunger problems?
• Should parents have the ability to manipulate their children’s genetics and characteristics to an ideal?
• How does genetic modification in animals affect our understanding of what we can do for humans?
• In what ways do religious ethics and philosophy ethics contradict each other when it comes to crimes?
• How does humanity’s history to commit evil acts affect the way we view our place in the world?
• Is it morally ethical to love someone who is legally unattainable? (E.g., someone who is married).
• Are contemporary philosophical theories inclusive of different societies or limiting to specific nations?
• What can truly upset you, and in what ways can you deal with it?
• Would you live your life more than once?
• What do the beauty standards change often?
• Are there situations where it is better to lie than tell the truth?
• Some people think that love only lasts for three years. Is it true?
• What is a perfect life? What prevents you from living it?
• How has the rise and fall of famous and influential dictators changed throughout history?
• How have the events leading to the 1980s conflicts in Afghanistan caused the turmoil we see today?
• In what ways have border wars in South America led to increased asylum seekers fleeing those countries?
• How did the North Atlantic Trade Agreement impact the way Europe has sought trade deals with China?
• What impact did the Mormons have in shaping the American city landscape during the 19th century?
• What role did Mormons have in further expelling Native Americans from their ancestral lands?
• Why did the Southern States resist the freeing of slaves for so long? What economic factors were there?
• What impact did pirates have on the development of Caribbean culture in Central America?
• How have 21st-century marketing strategies affected how we value cultural history in the U.S.A?
• Trends of migration through the years.
• What is the history of immigration in the USA?
• What causes the significant waves of migration in Syria?
• How were women treated in the Soviet zone during WWII?
• How did the fall of Hitler and the Nazis affect Germany?
• The Spanish Inquisition- What is the truth behind its moral justification?
• How do supercomputers and data mining affect political policy in today’s first-world governments?
• In what ways have the roles of mediators changed in the world of globalized financial institutions?
• How important is cultural awareness for large corporations? How is this different in small businesses?
• Should politicians be allowed to maintain investments that can influence their political decisions?
• Why are blind trusts necessary for anyone running for public office in today’s global economy?
• What are the effects of bringing more technology into the home to automate day-to-day activities?
• In what ways does automation keep people from controlling the same systems we want to be safe?
• How does cyber activity affect how governments contribute to international economies?
• How can we learn from past cultures to develop new societies where there is no poverty or hunger?
• What was the correlation between political climate and literature during the eighteenth century?
• What is the connection between religious conviction and rational thinking?
• A comprehensive analysis of gun violence in the US.
• Case study of Australia and how cyberbullying might result in suicides.
• Civil war is the greatest inspiration for art. Discuss this concept.
• Women empowerment in Saudi Arabia in the 2000s.

For more information on how to write a thesis or for more thesis ideas, check out what a professional writing site has to offer. On top of hundreds of free resources, you can pay to have a custom master’s thesis sample made from scratch or can have your work reviewed, edited, and proofread by an academic expert from our thesis writing services , whose job is to stay up-to-date on all educational requirements for capstone projects.

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Is it a good thesis topic?

Does the topic have a clear aim?

Is the topic researchable, is the topic original enough, will the topic be interesting to your audience.

• What methodology will your topic require?

Additional criteria for a good thesis topic

Frequently asked questions about having a good thesis topic, related articles.

Before starting the actual research for your thesis, you need to make sure that your topic is well formed. Take a look at this list of questions to find out if your topic is ready to work on.

First things first, is your topic clear enough? The ideal path of deciding a topic starts by making it as comprehensive as possible. This is easier said than done, as people often have one idea in mind but another one in the paper.

Tip: To ensure that your topic is clear and comprehensible, try explaining it to a friend or colleague.

As James Hamilton, coach for Ph.D. students, concludes in his guide on finding a thesis topic “clarity is the key.” Therefore, we recommend explaining your topic to someone foreign to your field.

Dissect every part of the topic and describe them in the most simple way. This will help you see your topic from a different perspective. Once you have a simplified version, you can start adding layers of complexity.

Once you are sure the topic is crystal clear, it is time to find out the most important factor: does the topic offer enough information? If you came up with the topic from material you read before, or you heard about it in a lecture, it means the topic is probably highly researchable.

Use keywords related to your topic and search for them in:

• library catalogs
• academic databases
• academic search engines
• Google scholar
• academic repositories

Consider meeting with an academic librarian, who can help you generate keywords.

Every thesis requires a level of originality but, let's be honest, research is never completely original. Still, why not make it as original as you can within your limits? You will dive in a sea of papers with a similar approach to yours. This is your chance of finding an angle that has never been taken before.

Therefore, we recommend finding a gap in the research, or a certain angle that has been done before but could be further developed. How? By simply paying particular attention to your sources.

Tip: To determine if your thesis topic is original, consider speaking with your advisor, or others in your field, who may know the research landscape really well.

Academic writing shouldn’t be boring. Depending on the level of your thesis, its appeal will vary. Identify the audience of your thesis and adapt its style and structure accordingly.

A bachelor’s thesis has to be interesting for the professor who grades it it. An MA thesis should attract your supervisor, and potential future employers. A Ph.D. thesis should strive to make a clear intervention in the field that will catch the attention of other scholars. It should engage peers, supervisor, and general researchers.

Once you know who you are writing for, it becomes easier to adapt your style to your target audience. We also recommend these 13 ways to make your writing more interesting to read.

W hat methodology will your topic require?

Picking a suitable research methodology is one of the most important components that can make a project fail or succeed.

Being aware of what type of outcome you want and how much time you have to conduct research will help you choose the right methodologies. For example, if you want qualitative data and you have enough time, then you can carry out a focus group.

If you want quantitative data in a short period of time then an online survey suffices. Time and goal will be the decisive factors in almost every project.

Check out our guide on How to gather data for your thesis for further instructions on collecting empirical data and choosing a methodology.

• Qualitative : focus groups, interviews, literature reviews, etc.
• Quantitative : surveys, experiments, longitudinal studies, etc.

You might also ask yourself these questions when you are assessing if your thesis topic is good:

• Is the topic easy to find?
• Is the topic of interest in contemporary culture?
• Will the topic bring you any benefit after graduation?

Every thesis requires a level of originality but let's be honest, research is never completely original. To have an original topic, we recommend finding a gap in the research. How? By simply finding a certain angle that has been done before but could be further developed.

Academic writing shouldn’t be boring. In order to make it interesting, you should identify the audience of your project and adapt it accordingly. A bachelor’s thesis has to be interesting for the professor who grades it it. An MA thesis should attract your supervisor, and potential future employers. A Ph.D. thesis should strive to make a clear intervention in the field that will catch the attention of other scholars.

We recommend explaining your topic to someone foreign to your field. Dissect every part of the topic and describe it in the most simple way. This will help you see your topic from a different perspective.

If you came up with the topic from material you read before, or you heard about it in a lecture, it means the topic is probably highly researchable. Use keywords related to your topic and search for them in catalogs, databases, search engines, and libraries.

Some other questions you can ask yourself (or others) to know if your thesis topic is good:

Free Gender Identity Essay Examples & Topics

Everyone has their own unique gender identity. Whether a person identifies as female, male, or outside the binary, everyone has ways of expressing themselves. This gender expression is then measured against socially established gender roles. If the two concepts clash, this can become a source of internal and external conflict.

In recent years, the definition of gender is beginning to change. We now consider it as a social construct. It is dictated by our behavior, presentation, and cultural norms. The language surrounding this concept is also evolving. Here our experts have explored some terms that will help you understand gender identity.

Cisgender applies to a person whose identity aligns with the sex that they were assigned at birth. In contrast, transgender refers to a person whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex.

Non-binary describes people whose gender identity lies outside the established man/woman dichotomy. This umbrella term covers a broad number of identities, such as genderfluid, genderqueer, agender, etc.

We have collected advice that will help you in writing your gender identity essay. After all, even when writing about a personal experience, you need to approach the subject thoughtfully. We have also created a list of topics. They will help you compose different types of essays about gender identity.

Doesn’t matter whether you are writing a gender expression essay or a paper about identity. You still have to follow a defined structure. Here we have summarized how to organize your work process best and create an effective outline.

You can start with the following tips:

1. Brainstorm. The most critical step in writing a successful essay is to establish what ideas you already have. Perhaps you are thinking about focusing on gender equality? Or maybe about the differences between masculinity and femininity? Jot down your thoughts on paper and see where that takes you.

2. Get a topic. As soon as you have an idea of the direction you’re heading, start thinking about wording. Keep in mind that you have to narrow down from a broad list of potential subjects. The matter of gender identity is infinitely complex, so choose a single aspect to focus on. Try our topic generator so that it can come up with an idea for you.

3. Research your idea. This is perhaps the step that will take you the longest. To successfully write a compelling essay, you should have a large number of credible sources. Most of the information you need will be available online. Yet, try referring to books and journal articles too. Check for the availability of your resources before you settle on a topic.

4. Come up with a thesis. Here is where you might want to look over all the information you have compiled so far. Refer to your chosen topic and create a thesis statement. It is the main argument that you are trying to make in your essay. So, be concise and precise.

5. Outline your paper. From writing down the title to forming your conclusions, everything in your essay should be pre-planned. Start with writing down your introduction using your thesis statement. Afterward, you may want to note down what you will talk about in the body paragraphs. Don’t forget that using statistics, examples, and quotes can make your essay sound more solid. Finally, summarize your findings and restate your thesis in your conclusion. For this, you can use our online summarizer . Now that you have a rough draft, writing will be much easier.

6. Revise & proofread. When you are done writing, it is time for editing. Many students choose to skip over revising and proofreading, believing that it is not necessary. This is not the case. Your true potential opens up only after you edit your paper and compare it to the writing criteria. Make sure to read through your work at least once.

After reading our tips, you may still have a vital question. What should be the topic of my essay on gender identity? We are here to help.

Feel free to make use of these 15 gender identity topics:

• What is gender expression, and how does it feed into gender stereotypes?
• The intersection between race and gender identity.
• Why are feminine traits frowned upon while masculine ones are uplifted?
• Gender identity in society today.
• The history of nonbinary gender identities in the West.
• Gender identity development – a psychological study.
• The third gender – a study of nonbinary gender identities of the past.
• Presentation of gender identity in modern media.
• What is gender performativity, and how does it help shape gender identities?
• The contrast between gender identity and gender role.
• Gender as a spectrum: what lies between masculinity and femininity.
• Dysphoria – a gender identity disorder.
• Breaking down the concept of heteronormativity concerning gender.
• The historical evolution of the female gender identity.
• Understanding equality in terms of gender identity.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you found these tips useful, and we wish you the best in your academic work. If you still find yourself at a loss, read through our sample essays on gender identity below.

155 Best Essay Examples on Gender Identity

Role of men in society essay, gender issues: femininity and masculinity, gender identity, social issues affecting women.

• Words: 1397

Sociological perspectives of Gender Inequality

• Words: 2339

The Pros and Cons of Gay Marriage

• Words: 1093

Digital Technology’s Impact on the Body, Gender, and Identity

• Words: 1920

Gender Inequality in Social Media

Lgbtq co-culture: the key aspects.

• Words: 1462

Changing Gender Roles Between Boys and Girls

• Words: 1676

Raising Gender-Neutral Children

• Words: 1005

Masculinity and Femininity

• Words: 1084

Impact of Culture on Gender Identity: How Differences in Genders Are Evident in the Behavior

Feminism and sexuality in the “lila says” film, androgyny in “glory this” by michelle moo, stereotypes and their effects, “what is a homosexual” by andrew sullivan, sociological concept: intersectionality, the perception of the lgbt (queer) community, creating a culture of gender equality in the workplace, “the female quixote’” by charlotte lennox, homosexuality in renaissance italy.

• Words: 2285

Relate Gender, Ethnicity and Identity

Gender stratification in education, work, and family.

• Words: 1712

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” by Steve Jobs

Barbie doll: the history and legacy, marriage as a basic and universal social institute.

• Words: 2197

Polygamy in America: Between Society, Law, and Gender

• Words: 20201

Therapeutic Methods Applied to LGBTQ+ Clients

Homosexuality from religious and philosophical perspectives, gay couples’ problems: gary and jorge’s case.

• Words: 1412

LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Professional Settings

Sexual orientation discrimination, the “lgbtq+ inclusion in the workplace” article by ellsworth et al., lbgt (queer)-specific mental health interventions.

• Words: 1119

Stigmatization of Kathoeys and Gay Minorities

Sociological perspective on intersex babies, transgender individuals’ status in the united states.

• Words: 1858

Significance of Queerness in Social Media

• Words: 1215

Mental Health Issues Among LGBTQ (Queer) Youth

Historical interpretations of queer community issues.

• Words: 1162

Influence of Domestic Roles on Femininity

• Words: 1126

Bisexuality: The Social Stereotypes

• Words: 1492

Nature vs. Nurture in the Context of Sexuality

• Words: 1129

The Third Gender (Fafafines) in Samoa

Transnationalism and identity: gomez’s high-risk homosexual, gender identity applied in human socialization, gender neutrality in a music video: “beneath” by happy little clouds, mental health equity for queer (lgbtq) people, the transgender teens policy issues, lgbtq+ families: discrimination and challenges, lgbtq members: discrimination and stigmatization, gender identity: intersex people and their place in society, aspects of gender roles and identity, recognizing homosexuality as a personal identity, nina pop and skylar heath: introductory biographies, the role of gender in interaction via social media: extended outline, developing an affirmative cognate therapy.

• Words: 4790

Protecting Queer People (LGBTQ+) in San Antonio

• Words: 1122

Homophobic Name-Calling and Gender Identity

The queer people: negative representation in society, homosexuality as social construction, sexuality-based terms in ‘the danish girl’ film, the meaning of masculinity in 2020, sexual orientation and gender identity concepts.

• Words: 1132

What Is Identity and Stereotypical Roles of Gender?

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer families’ issues, the case of gavin grimm within the context of sociology.

• Words: 1107

Why LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Is Becoming Popular

Discrimination and politics of gender and sexuality, colonizers: non-heterosexual and non-binary gender among the natives, homophobia: “the straight state” book by m. canady, challenges faced by queer african american community, “the nineteenth amendment”: the legislative approaches related to gender diversity, “complete guide to guys” book by dave barry, biological basis for sexual orientation, advocacy for non-traditional sexual orientation, changes in women’s status.

• Words: 1548

Woman Perception in Eastern Asia in Two Novels

Gender, class and race in household and paid work, human sexuality: the sex of a child, societal and gender bias, assumption and different interpretations, exotic becomes erotic theory design, gender and perception of police work.

• Words: 2515

Stereotyping: Forms And Theories of Stereotypes

• Words: 1785

Feminist Psychology in Canada

Gender roles and sexuality in media: cosmopolitan & maxim, societal attitudes toward homosexuality, sexual orientation development.

• Words: 1542

Myths of Gender and Sexual Orientation

• Words: 2803

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Ideation, Correlations With ‘Suicidality’

• Words: 1370

Homosexuality: Explanations of Origins and Causes

• Words: 1914

Gender and Communication Relations Analysis

• Words: 1613

The Conference “Women as Global Leaders”

Relation between adams’s book and condoleezza rice’s political career, different aspects of gender identity, gay culture’s influence on hip hop fashion, sexuality and gender issues: one and the same, gender identity: modernity and the witch hunts.

• Words: 3330

Girls’ Sexuality Issues in American Schools

Gender inequality, violence against women, and fear in the sopranos, human sexuality. social problems of queer people, gender identities and politics of women’s activism.

• Words: 1371

Growing Up Transgender: Malisa’s Story on NBC News

Masculinity as a social norms issue.

• Words: 1115

Gender Experience and Identity in the Social Context

• Words: 1144

School Counseling & Problem Conceptualization

• Words: 1733

Race and Gender: “The Gang’s All Queer” by Vanessa Panfil

• Words: 1232

Sexual Reassignment and Related Challenges

Transgender bathroom rights and legal reforms, sexual orientation and equal rights in military, homosexual religious and legal rights, sociological imagination of homosexuality, gender identity as a product of nature or nurture, media influences on gender identities: consuming kids, gender theory in the “kumu hina” documentary, hormone therapy: human sexuality and gender issues, same-sex marriage legalization and public attitude, gender and conflict in prisons, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender at life stages.

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100 Gender Research Topics For Academic Papers

Gender research topics are very popular across the world. Students in different academic disciplines are often asked to write papers and essays about these topics. Some of the disciplines that require learners to write about gender topics include:

Sociology Psychology Gender studies Business studies

When pursuing higher education in these disciplines, learners can choose what to write about from a wide range of gender issues topics. However, the wide range of issues that learners can research and write about when it comes to gender makes choosing what to write about difficult. Here is a list of the top 100 gender and sexuality topics that students can consider.

Controversial Gender Research Topics

Do you like the idea of writing about something controversial? If yes, this category has some of the best gender topics to write about. They touch on issues like gender stereotypes and issues that are generally associated with members of a specific gender. Here are some of the best controversial gender topics that you can write about.

• How human behavior is affected by gender misconceptions
• How are straight marriages influenced by gay marriages
• Explain the most common sex-role stereotypes
• What are the effects of workplace stereotypes?
• What issues affect modern feminism?
• How sexuality affects sex-role stereotyping
• How does the media break sex-role stereotypes
• Explain the dual approach to equality between women and men
• What are the most outdated sex-role stereotypes
• Are men better than women?
• How equal are men and women?
• How do politics and sexuality relate?
• How can films defy gender-based stereotypes
• What are the advantages of being a woman?
• What are the disadvantages of being a woman?
• What are the advantages of being a man?
• Discuss the disadvantages of being a woman
• Should governments legalize prostitution?
• Explain how sexual orientation came about?
• Women communicate better than men
• Women are the stronger sex
• Explain how the world can be made better for women
• Discuss the future gender norms
• How important are sex roles in society
• Discuss the transgender and feminism theory
• How does feminism help in the creation of alternative women’s culture?
• Gender stereotypes in education and science
• Discuss racial variations when it comes to gender-related attitudes
• Women are better leaders
• Men can’t survive without women

This category also has some of the best gender debate topics. However, learners should be keen to pick topics they are interested in. This will enable them to ensure that they enjoy the research and writing process.

Interesting Gender Inequality Topics

Gender-based inequality is witnessed almost every day. As such, most learners are conversant with gender inequality research paper topics. However, it’s crucial to pick topics that are devoid of discrimination of members of a specific gender. Here are examples of gender inequality essay topics.

• Sex discrimination aspects in schools
• How to identify inequality between sexes
• Sex discrimination causes
• The inferior role played by women in relationships
• Discuss sex differences in the education system
• How can gender discrimination be identified in sports?
• Can inequality issues between men and women be solved through education?
• Why are professional opportunities for women in sports limited?
• Why are there fewer women in leadership positions?
• Discuss gender inequality when it comes to work-family balance
• How does gender-based discrimination affect early childhood development?
• Can sex discrimination be reduced by technology?
• How can sex discrimination be identified in a marriage?
• Explain where sex discrimination originates from
• Discuss segregation and motherhood in labor markets
• Explain classroom sex discrimination
• How can inequality in American history be justified?
• Discuss different types of sex discrimination in modern society
• Discuss various factors that cause gender-based inequality
• Discuss inequality in human resource practices and processes
• Why is inequality between women and men so rampant in developing countries?
• How can governments bridge gender gaps between women and men?
• Work-home conflict is a sign of inequality between women and men
• Explain why women are less wealthy than men
• How can workplace gender-based inequality be addressed?

After choosing the gender inequality essay topics they like, students should research, brainstorm ideas, and come up with an outline before they start writing. This will ensure that their essays have engaging introductions and convincing bodies, as well as, strong conclusions.

Amazing Gender Roles Topics for Academic Papers and Essays

This category has ideas that slightly differ from gender equality topics. That’s because equality or lack of it can be measured by considering the representation of both genders in different roles. As such, some gender roles essay topics might not require tiresome and extensive research to write about. Nevertheless, learners should take time to gather the necessary information required to write about these topics. Here are some of the best gender topics for discussion when it comes to the roles played by men and women in society.

• Describe gender identity
• Describe how a women-dominated society would be
• Compare gender development theories
• How equally important are maternity and paternity levees for babies?
• How can gender-parity be achieved when it comes to parenting?
• Discuss the issues faced by modern feminism
• How do men differ from women emotionally?
• Discuss gender identity and sexual orientation
• Is investing in the education of girls beneficial?
• Explain the adoption of gender-role stereotyped behaviors
• Discuss games and toys for boys and girls
• Describe patriarchal attitudes in families
• Explain patriarchal stereotypes in family relationships
• What roles do women and men play in politics?
• Discuss sex equity and academic careers
• Compare military career opportunities for both genders
• Discuss the perception of women in the military
• Describe feminine traits
• Discus gender-related issues faced by women in gaming
• Men should play major roles in the welfare of their children
• Explain how the aging population affects the economic welfare of women?
• What has historically determined modern differences in gender roles?
• Does society need stereotyped gender roles?
• Does nature have a role to play in stereotyped gender roles?
• The development and adoption of gender roles

The list of gender essay topics that are based on the roles of each sex can be quite extensive. Nevertheless, students should be keen to pick interesting gender topics in this category.

Important Gender Issues Topics for Research Paper

If you want to write a paper or essay on an important gender issue, this category has the best ideas for you. Students can write about different issues that affect individuals of different genders. For instance, this category can include gender wage gap essay topics. Wage variation is a common issue that affects women in different countries. Some of the best gender research paper topics in this category include:

• Discuss gender mainstreaming purpose
• Discuss the issue of gender-based violence
• Why is the wage gap so common in most countries?
• How can society promote equality in opportunities for women and men in sports?
• Explain what it means to be transgender
• Discuss the best practices of gender-neutral management
• What is women’s empowerment?
• Discuss how human trafficking affects women
• How problematic is gender-blindness for women?
• What does the glass ceiling mean in management?
• Why are women at a higher risk of sexual exploitation and violence?
• Why is STEM uptake low among women?
• How does ideology affect the determination of relations between genders
• How are sporting women fighting for equality?
• Discuss sports, women, and media institutions
• How can cities be made safer for girls and women?
• Discuss international trends in the empowerment of women
• How do women contribute to the world economy?
• Explain how feminism on different social relations unites men and women as groups
• Explain how gender diversity influence scientific discovery and innovation

This category has some of the most interesting women’s and gender studies paper topics. However, most of them require extensive research to come up with hard facts and figures that will make academic papers or essays more interesting.

Students in high schools and colleges can pick what to write about from a wide range of gender studies research topics. However, some gender studies topics might not be ideal for some learners based on the given essay prompt. Therefore, make sure that you have understood what the educator wants you to write about before you pick a topic. Our experts can help you choose a good thesis topic . Choosing the right gender studies topics enables learners to answer the asked questions properly. This impresses educators to award them top grades.

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For female athletes of color, scrutiny around gender rules and identity is part of a long trend

Algeria’s Imane Khelif, celebrates after defeating Hungary’s Anna Hamori in their women’s 66kg quarterfinal boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting reacts after defeating Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva in their women’s 57 kg quarterfinal boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

FILE - Caster Semenya, of South Africa, competes during a heat in the women’s 5000-meter run at the World Athletics Championships on July 20, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Brittney Griner, of the Unites States, shoots over Saori Miyazaki, of Japan, in a women’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Algeria’s Imane Khelif after defeating Hungary’s Anna Hamori in their women’s 66kg quarterfinal boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva hits Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting in their women’s 57 kg quarterfinal boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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PARIS (AP) — Overcome with emotion, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif left the ring in tears after a resounding victory this weekend. Khelif has faced days of hateful comments and false accusations about her gender following her first fight against an Italian opponent who quit seconds into their bout .

“It’s because she’s African, because she’s Algerian,” 38-year-old Algerian fan Adel Mohammed said Saturday, when Khelif clinched an Olympic medal . “These comments are coming from white people … it’s a kind of racism.”

Female athletes of color have historically faced disproportionate scrutiny and discrimination when it comes to sex testing and false accusations that they are male or transgender, historians and anthropologists say. Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting , who won her bout Sunday after similar abuse and questions about her gender, are the latest examples of women of color who have found themselves caught in the contentious debate around gender regulations and perceptions in sports.

More women from the Global South or developing countries are affected by sex testing in sports, said Payoshni Mitra, executive director of Humans of Sport, an advocacy organization that focuses on human rights issues for athletes. She has worked with dozens of female athletes across Asia and Africa to fight sex testing practices.

Algeria’s Imane Khelif, left, fights Italy’s Angela Carini in their women’s 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

“Sport is very Eurocentric — the approach is not necessarily global,” Mitra said. “We need to accept women in all their diversity. And we are not seeing that at this point.”

Mitra and other advocates and anthropologists note that international sporting federations don’t tend to promote an understanding of diversity in sex and gender identity and that gender tests have often targeted female athletes of color who don’t conform to typically Western, white ideals of femininity.

In 2009, after her 800-meter victory in the world championships, South African runner Caster Semanya was sidelined for 11 months because of track and field rules about hormone levels. She has spent years in her legal battle against requirements for her to suppress her natural testosterone to compete.

Semenya was identified as female at birth, raised as a girl and has been legally identified as female her entire life. She has one of a number of conditions known as differences in sex development, or DSDs, which cause naturally high testosterone .

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 10, 2018 file photo South Africa’s Caster Semenya runs to the finish line to win the women’s 1500m final at Carrara Stadium during the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia. Caster Semenya lost her appeal Wednesday May 1, 2019 against rules designed to decrease naturally high testosterone levels in some female runners. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

World Athletics, track and field’s governing body, said Semenya’s testosterone levels give her an athletic advantage comparable to a man competing in women’s events and that rules are needed to address that. Critics of the rules — which were put in place in 2011 and have tightened over the years — have considered naturally high testosterone levels to be a genetic gift, comparing it to a basketball player’s height or a swimmer’s long arms.

“Nobody was disqualifying Michael Phelps for having particular biological features that allowed him to excel in swimming,” said medical anthropologist Danyal Kade Doyle Griffiths, an adjunct professor with the City University of New York.

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand also faced a swarm of scrutiny and was dropped from the 2014 Commonwealth Games after reports of elevated testosterone. She underwent rounds of testing and ultimately took the international track federation to court, challenging rules that enforced a limit on female athletes’ naturally occurring testosterone levels.

Regardless of differences in sex or hormones, women of color — and Black women in particular — have often been subjected to stereotypes that portray them as more masculine. Dehumanization and objectification stretches back to chattel slavery, when enslaved Black women were valued for auction based on their physical appearances and skills that were seen as more masculine or more feminine.

Conspiracy theories and misinformation have spread online around tennis superstar Serena Williams, falsely alleging that she was born a man. In 2017, she wrote an open letter to her mother, thanking her for being a role model in facing people who were “too ignorant to understand the power of a Black woman.”

Basketball star Brittney Griner also has faced similar false accusations amid scrutiny over Black women and their bodies that is rooted in historical racism: They are often perceived as not feminine enough, too muscular, intimidating or masculine.

“These examples strike me as particular cases where racism and transphobia and intersex phobia are kind of inseparable,” Griffiths said. “It ties back to a much longer history of the way that race is gendered, in which Black women are taken to be more masculine compared to white women.”

The definition of womanhood “is often reliant upon Westernized notions of white femininity or standards of white beauty,” said Cheryl Cooky, professor of American studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Purdue University. If a female athlete doesn’t fit into those white, Westernized standards, “they’re subject to these questions and these accusations.”

In Khelif’s case, the banned International Boxing Association disqualified her from the 2023 world championships after it claimed that she failed unspecified eligibility tests for the women’s boxing competition, citing elevated levels of testosterone. The Russian-dominated body — which has faced years of clashes with the International Olympic Committee — has refused to provide any information about the tests.

“The whole process is flawed,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Sunday. “From the conception of the test, to how the test was shared with us, to how the tests have become public, is so flawed that it’s impossible to engage with it.”

Adams previously said Khelif “was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport.”

The Olympic body released a 10-principle approach on gender and sex inclusion in 2021 that recognized the need for a “safe, harassment-free environment” honoring athletes’ identities while ensuring competitions are fair. Advocates like Mitra hopes those are taken seriously.

Meanwhile, Algerians have rallied behind Khelif, defending her against hateful comments. Algerian athlete Zahra Tatar, competing in hammer throwing, called Khelif’s fight “beautiful” and said “we all hope she gets the gold medal.”

Associated Press writers Megan Janetsky in Paris and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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‘I am proud of my faith’: Josh Shapiro embraces Jewish identity at rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor, Josh Shapiro, hasn’t had the easiest week when it comes to, well, being Jewish.

So when it came to speaking publicly about Vice President Kamala Harris and the man she chose over him to be her own running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Shapiro had a point he wanted to make.

“I lean on my family and I lean on my faith which calls me to serve,” Shapiro said at a rally Tuesday in his hometown, Philadelphia. “And I am proud of my faith!”

Shapiro was among the top two or three contenders that Harris, the Democrats’ nominee for president, was considering as a running mate. For the last week or so, Shapiro faced an online campaign from some progressives to keep him off the ticket because of his longstanding pro-Israel views.

The campaign drew criticism from across the political spectrum for singling out Shapiro, even though the non-Jews Harris was reportedly considering were as pronounced in their support for Israel — if not more so — than Shapiro.

Once it was leaked on Tuesday morning that Walz was her pick, Republicans claimed (and some Jewish voters worried) that Harris was caving to antisemites. Harris’ campaign said those accusations were “offensive.”

Others, including Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance , Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, lamented that Shapiro had been forced to “run” from his Jewish heritage.

Shapiro and Harris both spoke of their close friendship, which dates to the middle of the last decade when they were both attorneys general — Shapiro for Pennsylvania and Harris for California — and collaborated on lawsuits.

“Josh is a dear, dear friend and an extraordinary leader,” Harris said as soon as she took the stage following Shapiro. “I am so invested in our friendship and doing this together because together with Josh Shapiro we will win Pennsylvania, we will win Pennsylvania, and I thank you Josh, I thank you.”

Shapiro went on to quote, as he frequently does, an adage from Pirkei Avot , an ancient code of Jewish ethics. He had quoted it earlier in the day in a statement on Walz’s selection.

“Now, hear me, I’m not here to preach, y’all, but I want to tell you what my faith teaches me,” Shapiro said. “What does it say? My faith teaches me that no one, no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it. That means that each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, to get in the game and to do our part.”

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Kamala Harris says Trump's false claims about her Black identity show ‘divisiveness,’ ‘disrespect’

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris said "the American people deserve better" as she responded to former President Donald Trump's combative interview with the  National Association of Black Journalists  Annual Convention that included false claims about her racial identity.

"It was the same old show − the divisiveness and the disrespect," Harris said Wednesday night in Houston, while addressing members of a historically Black sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, during its 60th Biennial Boule.

"The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us. They are an essential source of our strength," Harris said.

More: Trump questions Kamala Harris' racial identity at NABJ, says she 'happened to turn Black'

In his interview earlier Wednesday with the NABJ in Chicago, Trump questioned the Black racial identify of Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, who is half Black and half Indian-American.

"I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said of Harris. “Is she Indian or is she Black? Because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a Black person.” 

Harris, whose father is Jamaican and mother Indian, attended Howard University, a historically Black college. She is the first female vice president in U.S. history and also the first Black woman to hold the office.

Trump's remarks came as Harris is enjoying polling momentum in her still-young campaign for president after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race July 21. The Trump campaign has set out aggressively to define Harris − and calling into question her racial identity appears to be part of that strategy.

"Crazy Kamala is saying she’s Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social , doubling down on his false claims from his interview.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pa. later Wednesday night, Trump accused Harris of adopting a "new southern accent" when she spoke the previous night at a campaign event in Atlanta.

A big screen above Trump's stage prior to his remarks at the rally featured a photo of a smiling Harris and a 2016 Associated Press headline that read, "California's Kamala Harris becomes first Indian-American US Senator."

Warming up for Trump at the rally, his attorney Alina Hubba told the crowd up Trump supporters, "Unlike you, Kamala, I know who my roots are. I know where I come from."

Trump’s vice presidential running-mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, in a speech Wednesday in Arizona said, “Kamala Harris is a phony who caters to whatever audience is in front of her.”

It isn't the first time Trump allies have attacked Harris' racial identity. Similar suggestions were made in 2019 about Harris when she was a presidential candidate in the Democratic primary. The Harris campaign back then compared the assertions to Trump's birther claims against President Barack Obama in which Trump falsely suggested Obama was born in Kenya.

"The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president," Michael Tyler, the Harris campaign communications director, said in a statement Wednesday following Trump's NABJ interview.

"Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us," Tyler said.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison

Ticketmaster privacy breach raises question of identity monitoring services: Are they worth it?

Rob Carrick is on holidays. Business reporter Pippa Norman is writing the newsletter this week in his absence.

The recent Ticketmaster security breach has left its Canadian customers worried about whether their personal information has been stolen. The ticket sales giant, which was hacked this spring, sent emails last month to potentially affected customers, informing them of the security breach and suggesting they sign up for an identity monitoring service provided by TransUnion of Canada, Inc., which Ticketmaster would pay for.

“Identity monitoring will look out for your personal data on the dark web and provide you with alerts for 1 year from the date of enrolment if your personally identifiable information is found online,” the company said in a mass e-mail.

Equifax, which along with TransUnion tracks credit scores of Canadians, also offers identity theft protections, including dark web scans, identity restoration and identity theft insurance. Other service providers available to Canadians include Credit Karma, Credit Verify and ID Assist.

With cybersecurity crimes rising fast around the world, should the average Canadian consider paying for a service to monitor their identity?

Konstantin Beznosov is a professor at the University of British Columbia, where he researches the human and social aspects of cybersecurity and privacy. In the Q&A that follows, he explains why he thinks it makes sense for some people, such as the elderly or those active on social media, to pay for an identity monitoring service. Here’s an edited, condensed version of our conversation by phone:

Q: What is an identity monitoring service?

A: It’s basically a service that, on a regular basis, checks the credit history and credit status of a person at one or more credit bureaus, and depending on the type of service and type of plan, checks the so-called dark web, where criminals sell and buy credentials they obtain for what’s known as identity theft crimes, or scams based on impersonation. If something is flagged as suspicious, then that service will reach out to the customer and notify them.

Q: What factors might put somebody more at risk of identity theft?

A: We can look at risk as a product of three factors. One is the value of assets, how many assets you have, how much value those assets hold and how much criminals value those assets. Then there are vulnerabilities. So, is it a person who is easy to scam or easy to obtain information from that can be used for identity theft? For example, people who are already active on social media share a lot of things about themselves that make it easy to impersonate them on social media. Or they’re some kind of celebrity. Or it could be a person who is not very comfortable using online services and might make mistakes like not using strong authentication because it’s too cumbersome for them. Or it might be just due to a person’s nature. For example, elderly people tend to be easier victims because they don’t know technology as well, but they have quite a few assets like pension funds and significant savings. The third factor is the presence of threat. Even if somebody is vulnerable to these scams and have quite a few assets, but there are no criminals who go after them, it doesn’t matter whether that person is vulnerable or that they have quite a few assets.

Q: How much do these services typically cost?

A: There are three tiers of plans. The basic ones can be somewhere between $10 and $20 a month, the medium tier is $20 to $30, and the premium services are between $30 and $50 a month.

Q: What are the financial pros and cons of paying for an identity monitoring service?

A survey of more than 23 million identity theft victims by the U.S. Bureau of Justice in 2021 concluded that their average financial amount of loss was US$1,160, but the median was only US$200.

So, if somebody pays, let’s say, $15 a month for identity monitoring, that means that in one year, they pay $180, which would be approximately how much the median was. Maybe in two years, they will pay more for identity monitoring than the median victim of identity theft. But that’s just financial loss. There’s also time, which I thought would be much bigger, but on average, the survey found a person spends just a few hours recovering from identity theft. Some people spent six months dealing with this issue, but for most people, it was a matter of just a few hours.

Q: So, is it still worth signing up for?

A: For some individuals, again, who have significant assets and personal information that is readily available online or they’re a public figure and as a result, it’s much easier to impersonate them, or maybe their wallets with all their passport and other documents and credit card were stolen. In these cases, it makes sense to sign up for a credit monitoring service.

Q: What should somebody do before signing up for one of these services?

A: Ideally, you want to talk to somebody who was their customer and did experience identity theft and has experience working with this identity monitoring service in recovering from that identity theft to see what their experience was.

Q: Are data breaches becoming more prevalent?

A: On one hand, we keep seeing all these data breaches. On the other hand, providers of critical services, like financial services, even social media services, are moving toward stronger authentication. The authentication is not perfect. Criminals can still find loopholes, but it’s getting harder for them to do that.

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Pippa’s personal finance reading list

A tyee guide to free summer education activities.

With one month of summer vacation left, The Tyee has a guide for all parents whose ideas for summer fun are beginning to run dry. While they cater to the paper’s Vancouver audience, they’re easily translatable with ideas like geocaching or the National Film Board’s impressive roster of documentaries and cartoons.

Why Running Clubs Are the New Dating App

Millennials and Gen Z are bringing back in-person singles events as they grow weary of the same old dating apps and crave in-person interactions after some of their formative years were spent under pandemic lockdowns.

The ‘tax-free trap’: How a simple phrase skews Canadians’ savings choices

A psychological bias toward the words “tax-free” could influence the way Canadians choose to save, new research finds. The two words appear to offer a mental shortcut that many of us default to when a complex decision becomes simply too much to dissect.

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Subscribe to Stress Test on Apple podcasts or Spotify .

In the social sphere

Social Media: A friendly Reddit reminder to take a closer look at your streaming service subscriptions.

Watch: CBC interviews a former Olympic gymnast about the high cost of being a professional athlete.

Money-Free Zone: The Glass Animals released my album of the summer in 2020 with Dreamland. This summer, they’re back with I Love You So F***ing Much and while it’s not quite reaching the same level of excellence for me, it’s still scratching the itch for some cool, crisp summer jams.

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