ESSAY Every human being belongs or strives to belong to exclusive groups as it is a part of our human nature. Belonging to certain groups comes with benefits but also inevitable costs. An individual’s identity can be compromised, but, as well can be shaped by the influence of belonging. We are constantly changing and growing from the different groups that we become a part of until we move on to another, from which we gain an understanding about our own identities. Belonging to certain groups has its benefits, by which we gain a sense of security, confidence and the feeling of having a place in this world.
Alongside the sense of personal identity humans also have a very evident urge to belong to a group that share similar aspects on oneself and life. These out looks can be either positive or negative. People who have a strong sense of belonging usually have a strong sense of personal identity giving them comfort which allows them to express themselves. However sometimes individuals feel out casted and isolated from others due to their upbringing and lifestyle and find it difficult to experience a sense of personal identity and therefore also belonging. Belonging and being accepted into a group can have both negative and positive effects on an individual’s sense of personal identity.
Without relationships who would we be, what would we do and where would we belong? Relationships eminently seem to be the foundation of belonging, whether it is in a family, friendship, romance or otherwise. Relationships are able to enrich our identity and sense of belonging which can therefore lead to acceptance and understanding. Consequently, belonging can also have the ability to have negative repercussions for individuals involved in these relationships. ‘The Sandwich Generation’ by Julie Winokur and Ed Kashi as well as ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’ by Peter Skrzynecki both outline the understanding of belonging and what it means for those involved in the relationships.
(Atkinson) The definition of ‘neglected’ was inconsistent across states. In practice is appears that ‘neglecting’ a child could be deemed based on the fact that the child was of Indigenous heritage. (Stolen Generations’ Testimonials foundation) The state-based forms of care included: Government and Church run institution, foster care and juvenile detention centres. (Atkinson) While some children reported having positive out of home care experiences the majority of the Stolen generation reported a great deal of suffering, emotional, physical, sexual abuse and most horrifically the denial of their true identity and culture. (Atkinson, Briskman, NSW department of community services) Many Indigenous people are still suffering from social and emotional loss from having
Native American children were removed from their homes on reservations for alleged maltreatment and thus placing them in adoptive Caucasian homes (Martin, 2007). Although many of them were truly removed for maltreatment, 99% of the children were removed because social workers believed that the children were victims of social deprivation do to the extreme poverty common on most Indian reservations (Martin, 2007). These acts on behalf of the child
The inquiry showed that many officials believed they were doing the right thing. Some Aboriginal children were taken away from their parents because they were mistreated. Some of the church missions, where many of the children were brought up, were caring places, and many Aboriginal people recall the goodwill and kindness they received from individuals and institutions. However, the inquiry also showed that the human and legal rights of indigenous people had been violated, sometimes brutally. Victims had been forcibly removed from their families and put into institutions or fostered or adopted.
Functionalists are consensus theorists. They think of education as a positive function for all individuals in society, which has a powerful influence over it. The aims of education in functionalism are to maintain social stability, keep society in consensus and resolve any conflict. Durkheim and Parsons saw education as an essential agency of socialisation whose function is to transmit common values to the next generation. Parsons argued that schools act as a bridge between the family and a wide society within the role of education being to promote universal values such as achievement, individuation, competition and equal opportunities.
The need for love and belonging can be met in an ECCE setting by operating a key worker system. Self-esteem: our need for self-esteem involves our need to feel good about ourselves. This can be met in the ECCE setting by praising children for their efforts, respecting children and displaying their work. Self-actualisation: the final layer in Maslow’s hierarchy is our need for self-actualisation. This refers to our need to fulfil our potential and ‘be all we can be’.
What I mean with that is that anymore can volunteer and contribute, but the bond is stronger when the people who do volunteer strongly believe in the mission and purpose of the organization that they are emphasizing their contributions. I know for me, I am logical thinker if I find something that makes sense to me or aligns with my core values then my efforts will be stronger. The elements that I feel resonate the most with high devotion of civic engagement would be social impact and cultural aspect. Because if it’s regarding a social impact then you know its going to be for a good cause since social impact is about the well being that is being promoted for the community. If you are someone who cares about people and especially with people in the community then the devotion will be to its highest potential.
Identity is defined as “the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality”. It is a vital factor that plays an essential part in our lives as it provides for us a sense of uniqueness and the ability to identify ourselves with others. Humans, being sociable creatures by nature, identify themselves through their relationship with friends, family, colleagues and other social groups; these interactions deliver a sense of privilege and belonging especially within one’s own family. As this is an ever changing phenomenon, many challenges are faced on the path of finding our true identity and the place we truly belong. These issues are explored profoundly in texts; Looking for Alibrandi, and Night, in which the characters face many complex and emotional events that question whether they truly belong to and can they identify themselves as being a part of their immediate families.