Social Heredity - Sociocultural Inheritance - Shaping Who We Are

"The past is never dead. It's not even past. All of us labor in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity. Haunted by wrong turns and roads not taken, we pursue images perceived as new but whose providence dates to the dim dramas of childhood, which are themselves but ripples of consequence echoing down the generations. The quotidian demands of life distract from this resonance of images and events, but some of us feel it always." ~ William Faulkner

The experiences you inherit from your social environment can influence you, but they do not have to determine your future.

The mindset, perspective, and identity of individuals are influenced by five major areas of sociocultural inheritance.

1. Family and upbringing
2. Educational institutions from Pre-K to college and university
3. Social groups and communities
4. Social media and other media information consumption
5. Language, embedded culture and communication

Learn from your background, question, and explore to discover your values.

Be mindful of the influences around you, including schools, places of worship, social media, and all other forms of communication, as well as family and friends.

Social heredity is not deterministic. It is important to actively seek diverse perspectives and think critically about the information you receive.

Embrace the power of critical thinking, diverse perspectives, tolerance, and a positive outlook.

These are the foundation of success and fulfillment.