For Erving Goffman, our identities are only on loan to us from society and can be taken away from us if we don't act worthy of them.

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Erving Goffman's dramaturgical analysis in sociology suggests that our social identity is somewhat like a role in a play, given to us by society, and it requires us to perform according to societal norms and expectations. If we fail to perform these roles adequately, our social identity can be altered or diminished, reflecting the idea that our identities are on loan and contingent upon our performance.

For Erving Goffman, Our Identities Are Only on Loan to Us