How can ones external factors affect ones sense of identity

External factors arguably are what shape ones sense of identity. Our family, upbringing, geographic location, culture, nationality, language, and on and on are external factors which help to give us and shape our sense of self. These factors combine to be what we consider to be our identity. For example a Christian American is shaped in their identity construction from these factors and many other facets associated with these identity constructs that help to shape an individuals conception of self and identity.