Explore How Perceptions of Belonging or Not Belonging Are Influenced by Connections to Places.

A common human characteristic is the yearning to feel a sense of belonging through connections and different forms of relationships made in life. A sense of belonging or not belonging can emerge from feeling connected to people and places, whether they have been freely cast there or not. An individual will only feel a true sense of belonging through the understanding of those connections, which are created by experiences and can only come within.

Belonging can be interpreted in many different ways, and separate individuals grasp the meaning of it, in their own way based on different experiences, logic, and personal beliefs. It is a start of love and hatred, and is what makes us human, instead of living

Yes, It IS an essential human need, but…. then…. What happens when an individual doesn’t feel like they belong. What if… this same “essential” sense of belonging, the same “need” to belong, is what barricades and imprisons us? What effects can not belong have on individuals?

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.

One’s understanding of belonging can broaden their understanding and acceptance of themselves and the world around them. The statement that we all strive to belong is true, however it may take time to belong to a certain person, place, group, community or even the larger world. This issue is explored in Raimond Gaita’s biographical memoir Romulus, My Father and Khaled Hosseini’s confronting novel The Kite Runner. Throughout these texts, the themes of personal relationships, migrant experience and morals and values arise from the concept of

How has your understanding of the concept of belonging been shaped by the representation of relationships and events that you have encountered in the texts you have studied for the Area of Study: Belonging?

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

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.

Belonging can be defined as the process of the association with the human race as socially active characters. It is part of the human condition which represents the need for security, safety and acceptance. An aspect of belonging such as isolation can be associated with the concept of belonging, as not belonging is a reciprocal process of belonging. Belonging allows for the authentication of characters through the formation of identity and connections.

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

‘An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can enrich or limit their experience of belonging.’

‘A feeling of belonging depends on a strong relationship, developed over a period of time.’

My interest in this topic dates back in high school when I realized how much effect sense of belonging had on my education. During elementary school, things used to happen just like I wanted. Teachers, other pupils were quite friendly. In fact, school was the most exciting place I always wanted to be. I was always the best performing pupil in continuous assessment test and end of year’s exams. Things changed when I went to high school. Everyone was very busy with their work. Teachers and fellow were quite serious. I found that my grades were not as excellent as in elementary school. Nothing motivated me. My behavior worsened and at some point, I even wanted to drop out of school as I felt that I was completely out of place. I believe that

A sense of belonging is an essential part of every individual's life. A sense of belonging can be created from having connections with people and places within a personal, cultural, historical and social context. The choice of where to belong and who to belong with changes people's sense of belonging as time passes. The Poetry of Peter Skrzynecki's 'Immigrant Chronicle' and Carson McCullers's novel , "The member of the wedding" demonstrates how a sense of belonging comes from having connections with people and places.

Vallerand suggested that the need for relatedness involves feeling connected (or feeling that one belongs in a social milieu)(p.30). Goodenow proposed that a sense of belonging at school reflects the extent to which