MEERA: Our identity can change according to where we might live in the world. Also the people we meet, the events that happen to us and the age of time.
GETHIN: Until I was about fourteen the thing I used to be most ionate about was gaming. Then I realised I was gay, so now I identify as two different things.
MEG: I grew up in Reading in the south of England. My parents spoke Welsh to us growing up. I wasn’t always confident speaking it, but then we’d go to Wales every year and I’d be speaking Welsh with my cousins, who I absolutely idolised. By the end of each holiday I’d feel so much more fluent. Then, when my grandfather died, we moved to Ruthin a small town in Denbighshire, because Nain needed help on the farm. I felt so lucky I could speak Welsh, because I could fit in and speak to my cousins.
JAC: I don’t really think about my identity much. I feel quite grown up, almost like I’m the parent, particularly if I’m picking up mum’s medication. So, I go straight home after school to make sure she’s comfortable and keep her company. When Dad comes back I don’t feel like a carer any more. He’s in charge with Mum and I’m their son again.
MEERA: Until I was about eleven, I also played lots of table tennis. Mainly because it was something Mum and Dad enjoyed. And then I discovered rugby. I fell in love with the game.
GETHIN: I think my identity can change when I’m with different groups of people. And if I’m gaming with my cheeky brother Tom I feel like a teacher because I help him learn.
MEG: Being able to speak Welsh is one of the things I’m most proud of. And singing. I sing in a band and I love it.
JAC: I’d definitely say first, I’m proud to be Welsh. But then a few years ago we did go to see Mum’s family in Australia. By the end, they all kept saying I was Australian. Since then I now think of myself a bit ‘Aussie’ too.
MEERA: I’m a more confident person since I started rugby.
GETHIN: My dad says he’s changed as he’s got older. He says when I came along it was the biggest change in his life. He suddenly had to be a role model and start being responsible especially after Mam left.
JAC: My mum says her two biggest changes were first spending a gap year in Argentina, which was a real challenge, but exciting. The second thing was the accident when I was in year 5. She’s been unable to walk since then.
MEG: I 100% identify as a farmer when I’m studying at agricultural college. If I’m out with my friends, I don’t.
JAC: So, in different places, like home and school, I can feel like a very different person.
MEERA: At different times in life, I think we begin to realise what we’re ionate about and who we really are.
GETHIN: I actually can’t wait to see if and how my identity might change as I experience new places, people and events in the future. But in the meantime, I’m pretty happy with who I am right now.
The scripted characters in this series, Meg, Gethin, Jac and Meera, are based on interviews conducted with real Welsh teenagers. In this film, they explore how identities and perspectives of identities can change through geographical location and time, but also through differing lenses.
Teacher notes
Progression Step 4
Four Welsh teenagers explore how identities and perspectives of identities can change through geographical location, but also through differing lenses. Meera, a sporty girl from Llanelli, discusses how her love of sport changed over time and how this impacted her. Originally a table tennis player due to her Mum and Dad’s interest in the sport, she chose to change sports to rugby at the age of 11, which made her a more confident person. Gethin, from Mold, explains how his identity has changed as he has got older, but how it can also change depending on who he is with. His main ion in life was gaming until he realised he was gay, and since then he recognises both as important aspects of his identity. Meg, from Ruthin, talks about how her identity has adapted with her geographical setting. She grew up in Reading, with Welsh-speaking parents, until the age of eight when the family moved to Denbighshire. There she was able to fully immerse herself in her Welsh identity, because of her ability to understand and speak Welsh, even though she didn’t feel her Welsh was quite good enough at first. She also identifies as a farmer when studying at agricultural college, but loves singing and hanging out with her friends too. Unlike the others, Jac from Cardiff doesn’t think about his identity as much as the others. Here, Jac discusses how his duties as a carer for his mum has affected his identity, particularly at home and at school. Jac also discusses his Australian roots.
Curriculum notes
Students might reflect on their own identities and how they have changed, and also on how they may change again in the future.
Students could discuss whether there may be conflict between different parts of someone's identity.
Students may debate whether anyone really knows their full identity.
Students could make a pie chart or flow diagram of everything they believe contributes to their personal identity.
More from this series:
Who am I? video
Four Welsh teenagers introduce themselves and key parts of their personal identity.
First impressions. video
Four teenagers from Wales are interviewed on their first impressions of one another.
Historical revolutions video
Four teenagers look at historical revolutions in a Welsh and global context.
