The Interdependence Model of Identity

Sor Juana's intellectual development depended on multiple relationships: mentors who recognized her genius, patrons who provided resources, and readers whose engagement validated her work. Despite the isolation of convent life, her identity was forged through complex networks of correspondence, intellectual exchange, and collective endeavor. This concept challenges the individualistic framing of poverty solutions that emphasize personal bootstrap-pulling and recognizes instead that identity flourishes through interdependence. For those experiencing poverty, belonging to communities of learning, mentorship relationships, and collective struggle become essential resources for identity formation and resilience. The interdependence model acknowledges that stable identity requires material security, emotional support, and intellectual companionship. Building and maintaining networks—study groups, mutual aid circles, mentoring relationships—becomes an explicit strategy for strengthening identity and creating conditions where intellectual and personal development can flourish.