Belonging Involves Conforming and a Loss of Identity - Expository Essay

‘An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can enrich or limit their experience of belonging.’ This statement can be readily depicted through various texts which include Raimond Gaita’s memoir, Romulus My Father and Universal Studio’s 2004 film, Hating Alison Ashley. Both of these texts involve various techniques that assist in portraying the concept of belonging to both an environment and to relationships. Belonging is a concept that is more complex than it first appears. It may be experienced on many levels between belonging and not belonging, be it to a family, a friendship, a place or a surrounding environment. It is a perception that is shaped within personal, cultural, historical and social contexts. Belonging

Good Afternoon teachers and students, The following texts express how an individuals understanding of belonging can quickly be changed by the people and place around them. “Jasper Jones a novel written by Craig Silvey”, it is a short story of a boy named Charles Butkins and the events that occurred because he helped Jasper Jones mask the death of Laura Wishart. “Australia by Ania Walwicz”, is attacking the people of Australia in the form of a poem, because of their point of views and attitudes in life. She also hates Australia itself because the people are not welcoming, this is the main point of this poem.

People’s perceptions of belonging can change over time, but this isn’t the case for all. When people experience moments of crisis in their lives they sometimes force a change within themselves and that is what helps them find an individual sense of belonging. This is highlighted in many texts and even composers life works. Texts that support this statement include Peter Skrzynecki’s Immigrant Chronicle poems, of which I have chosen St Patricks College and Feliks Skrzynecki. Skrzynecki’s poetry expresses the difficulties he faces when change doesn’t occur throughout time, as time alone isn’t a factor and that your sense of belonging is something that comes from within, with or without anyone.

To a certain extent the different groups we belong to define who we are, however there are times when a certain group can separate you from belonging. Being accepted within a group defines who you are as you share similar qualities and morals, making it easier to be socially accepted and create relationships. On the other hand, you can physically belong to a group but not always emotionally belong as your individual beliefs create a barrier to belong. ‘Belonging’ is defined as ‘the right personal or social qualities to be a member of a particular group’ or to ‘fit a particular environment’. The themes and issues explored in Peter Skrzyneckis poems include filial relationships highlighted in the poem ‘Feliks Skrzyneckis’

An individual’s sense of belonging is determined not only by their own choices but also by the attitudes of others.

When an individual’s sense of identity is corrupted through prejudicial attitudes they are left exposed and vulnerable allowing a sense of isolation and displacement in society. An individual’s ability to promote change within is largely influenced by the hardships they experience in their struggle to conform and the connectedness of identity that stems from acceptance. Tara June Winch’s novel Swallow the air, adapts the core concept that the perceptions and ideas of belonging are shaped within personal, cultural, historical and social contexts defining who we are resulting in a true understanding and

The foundation for an individual’s sense of belonging is often determined by the quality of relationships forged with others and their

Considered a fundamental aspect of being human, belonging is an ambiguous concept which can offer individuals a sense of identity, security and connectedness. Experiences of belonging are closely related to a person’s interaction with others, as positive experiences can enrich their sense of belonging, and negative experiences can limit their sense of belonging. An individual’s limited experience of belonging through their inability to positively interact with others can often incite them to reject the majority through acts of defiance, self-alienation and

An individual’s sense of belonging is based on society and the values reflected by that society. It is human

Belonging is determined extrinsically as it is gained and lost through the acceptance from others. Individuals can only find a sense of belonging if they have a group to which they can find support or kinship, such as a family. Governments and large groups of people (like communities) can offer a substantial level of belonging. However, as common as it is to belong to a government, country or community, throughout history individuals have also been rejected by them, and forced to be outcast. The concept that government and communities are amongst the greatest sources of belonging AND rejection is explored in the three texts I have chosen, which are, As you like it by Shakespeare, Refugee Blues by W.H. Auden, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s

Belonging is what provides you with a sense of permanency, helps to establish your core values and contributes to the development of your identity within your family and the world. The initial sense of belonging that humans experience is commonly through their nuclear family. Human beings are designed to grow healthy physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally, through loving care and acceptance in a safe environment. Mother’s teach children about bonding, trust, attachment and the ability to accept and impart affection. Father’s provide discipline and mentoring that helps children identify their gifts and talents typically through encouraging risk taking to discover potential (Dye, 2012) If during early childhood you are not imparted with the love and encouragement required you can spend years engrossed in the process of finding an identity.

Connection is the restorative force by which individuals reaffirm or transform their identities. Ultimately, it is the ability to form meaningful and sustaining relationships that allows individuals to assess and affirm their values. Raimond Gaita’s memoir, “Romulus, My Father” (RMF), Evan Hunters short story “On the Sidewalk Bleeding’ (OTSB), and “The Oasis”, a Shark Island Documentary, explore this notion through employing the universal themes of compassion, alienation and love as they enrich characters sense of hope, significance, comfort and security- fundamental to a sense of belonging, or paradoxically lead to a sense of isolation and exclusion.

Academic Decathlon is a stressful week of tests and other activities. It is my annual tradition of going vegetarian for this said so week. Although, I am stress eating a carrot and wondering if I am going to do good on my next test, it is a fun time to be with my team and meet other people who studied the material the entire

In a society which inherently seeks to categorise individuals, it is paramount that each person finds their genuine place in the world. The most powerful influences that impact on an individual’s sense of belonging include identity and heritage. It is a part of humanity which makes us desire to want to belong to a social, religious or even racial group which ultimately forms the person we become. Renowned author Carlson McCullers reflects these ideas. “I think the idea of wanting to belong haunts every child. And not only children. I think it is the primary question. 'Who am I? What am I? And where do I belong?”It is of grave importance that we understand we are simply mere shadows of

The need to belong is the need to give, and receive thoughtfulness regarding, and from others. Belonging is a strong and unavoidable feeling which exists in human instinct. In other words, to belong or not to belong can come about because of decisions of one’s self, or the decisions of others. Not everybody belongs to the same thing or individual; without belonging, one will not be able to distinguish themselves as clearly, therefore experiencing issues communicating with as well as identifying with their surroundings. I believe belonging is the human emotional which should be recognized by individuals from within a group. Whether it is family, companion, associate or team, people have a need to have an acquired desire to have a place and