Impact Of Demographic And Cultural Change On Identity

Question 1

What demographic changes may impact a person’s identity?

Answer 1

Demographic changes
• Growth in total population –increases population density
• Brings “newcomers” to an area… makes longer term
residents feel they have lost “their” community
• Their sense of identity feels threatened.
• Waiting times at doctors or clinics may increase - schools
may be oversubscribed and catchment areas altered so
that children cannot attend their local school as it is too
full so there is resentment and feeling of loss of identity

Question 2

What cultural changes can affect a person’s identity?

Answer 2

Cultural Changes
• New languages, shops, places of worship, clothing, customs and celebrations
• Migrants feel more at ease, but long-term residents feel
alienated
• Many may see these changes positively: welcoming diversity as enriching their own sense of identity.
• Younger new residents may be less aware or concerned about change than those who have lived there a long time

Question 3

What defines the identity of a place?

Answer 3

Location + Meaning

Person’s perception of a location based on their lived experience and shared meanings behind the place.