IDENTITY AND BELONGING
Identity and belonging is who or what an individual or thing is. It defines who you are and is a self-representation which illustrates physical, social and mental characteristics. Our sense of identity and belonging is impacted by various factors such as our experiences, relationships and the environment we are in.
Karen Ford writes with reference to Vanessa Amorosi’s 2009 hit, ‘This Is Who I Am’. Ford defines that belonging is important to one’s self as we fear rejection, but that it can be difficult to have confidence to discard peer influences. Even if we are not loved for the real individual we are, we like that fact we are accepted for something we are not. Ford makes reference to football teams. When we are part of a group or community, we are more likely to be ourselves as we express characteristics in common with someone else and therefore the sentiment of acceptance is present.
An identity can be defined as anything depending on what you wish others to perceive and also how you wish others to perceive you. Ford states; ‘The clothes we wear, the music we listen to, the football team we belong to, even the school we attend is part and parcel of who we are.’ However, while being part of a community, whatever form it takes, can be empowering, it can also lead to conflict. Within ourselves and others, conflict arises because we have varied beliefs, opinions and behave differently, our sense of identity is altered. Our identity and belonging can be perceived differently by each individual. Ford gives the idea that individuals should not modify their personalities to feel included or belong because there is always someone who will reject you.
Karen Ford highlights that the environment you are in can have a powerful influence on the person you become, whether it is socially, etcetera. “What you take into your hands, you take into your heart.” Ford demonstrates that socialising and associating with others can affect the person you are. People do not have one
Karen Ford writes with reference to Vanessa Amorosi’s 2009 hit, ‘This Is Who I Am’. Ford defines that belonging is important to one’s self as we fear rejection, but that it can be difficult to have confidence to discard peer influences. Even if we are not loved for the real individual we are, we like that fact we are accepted for something we are not. Ford makes reference to football teams. When we are part of a group or community, we are more likely to be ourselves as we express characteristics in common with someone else and therefore the sentiment of acceptance is present.
An identity can be defined as anything depending on what you wish others to perceive and also how you wish others to perceive you. Ford states; ‘The clothes we wear, the music we listen to, the football team we belong to, even the school we attend is part and parcel of who we are.’ However, while being part of a community, whatever form it takes, can be empowering, it can also lead to conflict. Within ourselves and others, conflict arises because we have varied beliefs, opinions and behave differently, our sense of identity is altered. Our identity and belonging can be perceived differently by each individual. Ford gives the idea that individuals should not modify their personalities to feel included or belong because there is always someone who will reject you.
Karen Ford highlights that the environment you are in can have a powerful influence on the person you become, whether it is socially, etcetera. “What you take into your hands, you take into your heart.” Ford demonstrates that socialising and associating with others can affect the person you are. People do not have one