self-identification

[ self-ahy-den-tuh-fi-key-shuhn, -i-den-, self- ]

noun

1. identification of oneself with some other person or thing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-identification¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

But, she warns, the danger of politics becoming like wrestling is that it becomes "about the thrill, about the self-identification" rather than about policies and principles.

From BBC

"I started to learn what misogyny was, and I started to learn what patriarchy was," Schneider explained about her move from the religious right to her current self-identification as a moderate.

From Salon

But it is not a term of self-identification historically embraced by those who seek power, especially of the authoritarian variety.

From Los Angeles Times

A representative for the Television Academy could not confirm these historic firsts to The Times, saying in an email, “The Academy has never required Emmy entrants to identify themselves on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender or cultural background — and for membership records, this type of self-identification has always been voluntary — so they cannot accurately verify these types of historical precedents.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sutton also asked if self-identification as transgender should be the only thing needed to change a birth certificate.

From Seattle Times