Identity And Belonging Research Paper

We all want to have a place where we belong, where we feel needed and feel important. But by belonging to a group or a society our identity might change or be sacrificed in order fit in and be ourselves. Our sense of identity and belonging is impacted by various factors, including our experiences, relationships, and our environment. Many people find it hard to belong to a certain group because they feel like they can’t live up to others standards. Where as others are able to feel a sense of belonging and are able to shape their identity with the help of others and by personal experiences as well.

Many people don’t want to be defined as an outsider therefore they change the way they think that avoids the idea of being an outcast. Several actions
Starting from infancy, parents influence the foods their children eat, the neighborhoods in which they grow up and the schools they attend. Growing up with a supportive family builds relationships that lead to guidance in identity development. They teach you morals, traits and teach you how to be yourself. On the other hand, as kids we learn how to belong to certain groups in our childhood. Where we start going to kindergartens meeting new friends and other children, moving onto primary school and then high school. Being around different people allows people to get along with one another and learn of each other. These places are where people are able to socialize and be apart of friendship groups. Belonging to a group allows others to feel a sense of belonging and it’s a good way to feed of each other and take in others thoughts that may help you to define yourself a little more due to the exposure of others
Its hard for people that have been brought up in a culture that is very different compared to there up bring at home or in their community. People who grow up in a culture that is quite different from that experienced in the home or local community may feel isolated and may struggle to trace an identity. There are times where it is necessary to make some exception in order to belong. This happens very often for new arrivals for an example when people decide to move to a different country that is very different from there previous county. This is like people moving to Australia, they often find themselves feeling out of place and not belonging to a new place. They have the pressure of the Australian culture that they need to get use to. Sometimes this inner conflict can go on for years as a person struggles to find new ways to keep connected to their first culture and to find their place in Australia. Struggles that come along the way is having to change their lifestyle and having to learn a new language and begin again and create a new life. This leads to questioning your identity asking yourself who you really are while trying to fit in different countries around the world. Its very difficult to belong in different atmosphere because it plays a big part on how you see yourself in other places. Also the way you treat others die to the different expectations in other