Belonging- What is this mumbo jumbo?
Belonging is:
•Acceptance
•Relationships
•Identity
•Understanding
•Experience
So lets look at all five in more detail
•Acceptance
•Relationships
•Identity
•Understanding
•Experience
So lets look at all five in more detail
Acceptance
This is when you are generally approved of or when you approve of something. This has a clear link to Belonging because if we are accepted or accept those around us we are likely to feel a connection with those people.
Relationships
A relationship is a connection or association with someone else. It is important to our sense of Belonging because strong relationships give us an anchor within a community, a sense of place
Identity
Our identity is our individual characteristics that make us distinct as individuals. In other words, what makes us different. Our sense of identity either leads us closer or further away from other people.
Understanding
This is what we know and agree with. We understand the importance of democracy in society therefore we support it. Our Understanding shapes our sense of belonging.
Experience
Experience is our first-hand knowledge of what we have seen and known. You must live through something to experience it and that experience remains with you.
How Belonging relates
Belonging relates to many aspects of our lives:
Community
•We see it in the community we are involved in.
Family
•Our family affects the way we belong in the broader community
Culture
•Our Culture can either connect us or isolate us from the rest of our community
Place
•Our place can be our physical location. It can also be our place in society or our role in the community. Our place determines how we relate to others.
Not Belonging
Not belonging is something felt by people who do not share the same values as those around them and have a personal identity that is separate from the broader community. Not belonging can lead to sense of isolation, frustration, anger and even violence towards those around them.