Strictly Ballroom and Neighbours by Tim Winton Essay Belonging.

* Our growing understanding of the belonging concept: The desire to be included is strong and the action of being excluded is humiliating:

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?

In the hierarchy of needs, belonging is introduced as a necessity needed to survive, yet often overlooked by society. We develop our own set of values and morals in which we conform. These values develop throughout our life cycle from childhood into adulthood and varies from person to person by affiliations, religious beliefs and interactions with groups we belong to. In, Isaac Bashevis Singer’s “Gimpel the fool,” the author’s use of heavy irony, the author suggests that a sense of belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places and the larger world. It

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

Self belief is shown through the realistic dancing of the Spanish community and Fran’s family compared to the exaggerated and unreal images of the ballroom community, dominated by flashy costumes and insincerity. At the Toledo Milk Bar the earthy and sensual colours of reds and browns allows us to feel the real spirit of dancing. When Rico, Fran’s father challenges Scott to dance the Paso doble, Scott is laughed at by the way he dances. “What is so funny about the way I dance?” Fran’s Family and the Spanish community soon teach Scott that the real value of dancing comes from the heart and Fran’s grandmother shows him where he needs to really feel the rhythm in his body.

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.

Throughout our lives, everyone that we share bonds with and interact with on a regular basis, either forms or has some sort of influence on our identity. Consequently, the majority of us naturally find ourselves striving to fit in with these people, especially during the tough transition from childhood to adulthood. It is this part of the human condition that makes us feel as though we must forge ties with something outside of ourselves in order to establish a strong sense of existence and a clear understanding of who we are. Although most individuals are able to make these connections with others naturally, others who stray from the social norm might not be so fortunate, but rather than

"To feel a sense of belonging, you need to accept yourself and be accepted by others."

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

“The idea of belonging and membership, being part of a community, is a basic human need. It’s one of the principles of our democratic society. We all have the same needs, we want to be loved, we want to have friends, we want to feel that we are making a contribution in our families, in our communities….We learn about understanding what someone’s interests and point of view are by interacting with them. To include everyone is to open up those possibilities for learning and

In “Strictly Ballroom” the beginning scenes of the film Baz established the conventional, elegant atmosphere of the ballroom dancing world. Using a combination of techniques such as graceful music, the

Belonging is the ability to feel wanted and included in a group, team or with other people. It is imperative that the younger generation understand the concept of belonging as it will help them find themselves as they grow. Personally, I had difficulty finding friends that I felt comfortable with in primary school. However, after entering high school and finding an amazing group of people who accept and understand me, both my emotional and mental well-being has improved greatly. Belonging is a vital component to have to ensure a positive well-being.

The concept of belonging refers to how comfortable and accepted an individual feels in a given community. This is influenced quite strongly by the individuals multiple different identities and the nature of their citizenship. But it also relates to the other two concepts of context and participation (as they all connect). A sense of belonging could be argued to have been achieved when you have a clear understanding of your own identity and feel connected to that certain place. A sense that you are ‘of this place’ or Turangawaewae. For me personally, I grew up in west Auckland and moved to the Hibiscus Coast when I was 12 so for me, the Coast is where I feel most connected to and like I belong.