Identity and belonging Essay

1. Familial and societal determine and expectations coiffe who we atomic number 18.Our p atomic number 18nts atomic number 18 at the centre of our upbringing and teach us set, attitudes and beliefs that help to define us from our conception and birth. Family expectations coffin nail either act as a burden on a childs experience impression of ego and abilities, or an chance to learn and grow. In rove to preserve their ethnic some unrivaledism element, some parents tend to preserve their traditions and langu period by entrusting nuances of their national inheritance onto their children. There is often a tension mingled with childrens passion to follow their make dreams and ambitions, and the hopes and expectations of their parents. Sometimes a via media must(prenominal) be made. Our actions and decisions are restricted by the expectations that our parents have of us, which then manifests it ego into a broad diversity in our identity as we may non be following o ur instincts. We construct a sense of ourselves by means of societal innate interaction in our family from an early age. They set the examples for us to follow and we subconsciously correct to share similar lifestyles and ideals. Adherence to pre-existing guidelines that define kindly pigeonholings, and to the expectations of others, lot often be the easiest and in some cases the only path to fitted in. Especi exclusivelyy during the teenage years, there is a come upon in for others validation and fastening to sociable convention.2. Establishing an adult identity.Determining who we are and where we break as adults is influenced by both our past and our present, by what we already know and what we yearn for in our lives. Finding helpmates, friends and straggleners who respect and bury our battlefront is a vital part of our establishment of an adult identity. Our identity gets more complicated with the passage of time. With age comes new frontiers, scraps and opportun ities that individuals plenty grasp with either hesitation or optimism. The drive from an adolescent identity to an adult identity raise often be a challenging one, particularly when the experience is fuelled by frustration, mishap and confusion. beingness an adolescent or young adult is a time fraught(p) with fear for the future and un reliablety, since the body and the mind experience great change physical, physiological and social change. As gregarious and cognisant beings, we loathe proscription and desire assimilation. 3. Families and intimate relationships with others shape who we are.Families ideally nominate love, protection, security and the opportunity for us to find out who we are. The need to belong is an intrinsic pauperism in all humans to thumb accepted and valued by others through sustained, meaningful connections that validate our mapping in society. Not all families provide the same kinds of opportunities for personal growth and, even in the some sta ble and supportive families, pressures to conform may occur. man we do not choose our families, we clear choose the coda connections we forge with other mountain. A desire to belong is also a desire to connect with others. changing circumstances fanny precipitate a change in our c stick out and intimate relationships, which in turn reshapes and further develops our identity. It may seem that our general lives are filled with mundane routine, however we eventually realise that each relationship and commitment gradually becomes a signifi ignoret part of who we are and how we see the world.4. Groups and communities provide us with a sense of be.Groups and communities can provide security, support and toleration in our lives. By nature, human beings are not solitary creatures. Belonging is an inherent aspect of our human originator that is a universally ubiquitous concept in humanity. Examples of groups include families, factions, teams, clubs, schools and work patchs. Contri thoing to the social fabric can have a positive effect on our sense of self it can enhance our self-esteem as well(p) as our self-worth. Not only do we belong to a family group, but also to racial, unearthly and cultural groups even without our knowledge (passive). We set up the need for be satisfactorily when the group values and respects the contribution our presence makes to the group. Belonging to a group often carries with it a sense of exclusivity or privilege. It also fosters a experienceing that we are accepted and loved.Belonging can often be contradictory in nature as people may want to belong to a group or validation out of fear of being left out or ostracised. To chance on a sense of social integration, we attempt to affiliate ourselves with groups that share usual values and ideologies which affirm our identity and social role. It is often difficult to belong if we hold different ideas, beliefs and values from the majority of a group or community. Refusing to c onform to the expectations of the majority especially in schools or workplaces can take considerable courage and strength of character. Misalignment between individual and group identity will have the same isolating effect as social solicitude, leaving us spiritually disoriented and emotionally desolate.5. Our identity can often be challenged.The people and ideas we encounter on a chance(a) basis change the way we see the world and how we see ourselves. Our identity develops as we grow and change. As teenagers we may be challenged by peer pressure and thus might be easily swayed by others with stronger personalities. Our beliefs political, religious and personal may also be challenged and our identities reshaped as a result. Beliefs render meaning to our lives and connect us to others, by giving a sense of direction and purpose. If our beliefs are shunned, all semblance of our identity and character can sometimes be diminished. When we are disconnected from others, we tend to popular opinion our own ideals and values unfavourably because they are different from the rest of society. This disparity can place a burden on ones self-worth and identity.In some circumstances the only method to find our true self is to go against the boundaries applied to use by others. Overemphasis on adapting ourselves to satisfy what others bet and desire can cause individuals to turn into such(prenominal) parochial beings that we lose sight of reality and who we really are. Knowing who we are and where we belong is fundamental and it allows us to live as happy and confident individuals able to defy conformity. We are all part of a family, a community and a culture. While we think of ourselves as being individuals, we must also accept that as social creatures we like to feel like we belong and feel safe. This, in turn, gives us the confidence to be me. The clothes we wear, the music we list to, the football team we belong to, even the school we attend forms the disse ver of who we are.6. Choosing not to belong.conformist to the needs of a group can often suffocate ones true identity, and thus an individual can choose not to belong to a certain group. Whilst belong suggests a desire to be connected to others, it may also result in a dependence on others and a subsequent loss of individuality. Choosing not to belong to the mainstream can be a difficult yet honour decision. An individual may define themselves in opposition to social norms and expectations. When an individual decides that they do not want to belong to a specific group or community, they demonstrate strength and courage, as well as a dominant, unique identity that is able to cope on its own. However, there may be some drawbacks. In not be and conforming to a group or community, we may be left feeling lost, abrupt and without purpose in life, regardless of the strength of our individuality. If we do not fulfill the fundamental necessity for social integration, we may feel isolated from a world that we share nothing with and lose the sense of purpose that be social roles are able to provide. If this crucial aspect of the human condition is not fulfilled, we may lose all semblance of our identity and place in society. The nature of isolation holds no benefits for the individual, as it disallows an individual to view life in a positive manner, and denies them the right of relishing upon the positives in life. When individuals are alienated, they tend to lose their sense of identity because they feel as though they are nothing to the world they do not exist.7. In instal to belong, we must make sacrifices.To gain a true sense of acceptance sometimes requires compromise. Because there will inevitably be run afoul between the views of the individual and that of the group, we must often conceal or forsake nuances of our true character that are contradictory to the groups corporal identity. In order to belong to a group, we have to give up some of our individual  freedom. Sometimes we may even have to compromise certain personal beliefs or modify our behaviour in order to fulfill an impulse to belong. This means belonging will invariably challenge our identity by forcing us to either uphold our own values or conform to the will of the group. Thus, a sense of belonging can benefit or hinder personal development. A sense of belonging can either support or detract from our personal identity. We must make compromises to suit which direction we would like to take in our lives. While in some instances belonging may challenge identity, identity and belonging must coexist in society. This is because identity is actually formulated through perceptions of individuals and that without social groups, identity would only be a figment of ones imagination. In a society which inherently seeks to categorise individuals and others acceptance is based largely on the extent to which one conforms, it is paramount that every individual finds their genuine pl ace in the world.Despite the often dire consequences that come attached to defying convention, the determination to find who we truly are is sometimes so great that we are willing to risk everything in order to try. Some sort of balance must be reached such that we feel validated and significant but also understand our true selves. Conforming with prevailing culture has the capacity to strip an individual of their identity or at least parts of it it is the self that is compromised and dampened. Isolated are those who asseverate individuality to the detriment of collectivism. Assimilated are those who unconditionally accept conformity siemens awaits those who have no regard for self and others but salient are those who are able to maintain a discernible element of individuality whilst concurrently achieving societal acceptance. It is difficult to fulfill these dual impulses to belong to a group, and to be free to express ones individuality. This is the distinction between accepta nce and the exertion of individual identity (through personality, beliefs, gestures etc.).8. A sense of belonging can strengthen our identity by assigning us outlined social roles.We are more likely to uphold our own values and personal beliefs if we are under some form of obligation to do so. Roles can be both explicit (teacher)and implicit (bully). Where we sit in the social hierarchy can affect how we see and how we feel nigh ourselves. While there are no specific rules or conventions for such roles, we are inclined to behave in a way that is synonymic with our designated identity so that we meet other peoples expectations. In all of the social groups that we as individuals belong to, we have a shape to abide by and a role to fulfill. Status is our relative social position within a group or community, whilst a role is the part our society expects us to play in such a status. For example, a man may have the status of father in his family, and is thus expected to nurture, educat e, guide and protect his children. Mothers usually have complemental roles. One can also have multiple roles and statuses such as an uncle, grandfather and so on.9. Individual growth comes from belonging.Individuals gain more from belonging to a group than from living in isolation. Most groups have certain expectations that members must conform to, but they also provide a meeting place in which individuals make valuable connections with others and enrich/reinforce/question their identities. Members of a group can also teach each other, sharing the experience they have gained from their life experiences. The wisdom is used to enrich the groups collective knowledge. Belonging can facilitate or perhaps stifle personal growth.10. Types of identity and belonging.Types of identityCareer lawyer, nurse, politician.Family father, mother, older sister, cousin.Skills athletic, intelligent, leader.Cultural history, tradition, religion, ethics. loving peer group, clique, club, gang.Also coll ective/multiple/gender identity.Types of belongingRelationships family, friends, partner, teacher. complaisant groups, classes, clubs, organisations.Environment Australia, metropolitan, farm.