To clarify, my notion of internal identity refers to an individual’s self-perception in relation to their experiences and the world. As it is reflective in nature, self-perception cannot be purely manifested internally. Without society and experience as a basis for reflexivity, there can be no internalized evaluation (Giddens 1991: 52-53). As such, history, experience and interaction provide the model by which individuals can give meaning to the physical, psychological, philosophical, and moral aspects of their identity. One’s identity is not simply based on the characteristics that are written on the body or the circumstances in.
