Berger and Luckmann state that we are born into an 'objective social structure' and that we have onl ...

---

Berger and Luckmann state that we are born into an 'objective social structure' and that we have only a limited ability to subjectively appropriate and interpret it for ourselves.  Discuss how the categories of race, gender, and class predate any one individual, and how we are bound to identify ourselves in relation to them.  To what extent can an individual redefine themselves in relation to these categories, and what are the possible social sanctions they may face for doing so?