As a Polish Catholic American, my culture and background have definitely influenced my identity and sense of self and others. According to Goldman (48), "Polish people believe in self-reliance, individualism, and a strong work ethic. Children are brought up in a strict family environmentà[and] are taught to accept a large amount of responsibility at an early age." The above depiction of Polish culture is very true in my experience and upbringing. Our father was a strict but loving disciplinarian who remained the most influential member of the family unit. Through his lessons and examples, I was able to forge a character that respected being independent, working hard, and being myself despite pressure to conform to peers or other societal inf