Thesis Belonging
Thesis Statements for Belonging RBelonging can be created, supported or broken by RELATIONSHIPS UOnly through UNDERSTANDING can an individual, group or community find a connection. GJUDGEMENTS or choices that individuals make may create or destroy a sense of belonging. An individual may choose whether to/or not to belong. BIndividuals (or a group) may encounter BARRIERS to belonging IAn individual’s (or collective) IDENTITY and self-perception may develop through the process of belonging.
Only the individual can determine whether or not he/she belongs and this will in turn shape a sense of self. PBelonging is a PERCEPTION. Perceptions shape the way that an author, character or responder may feel in relation to belonging. It is important to remember that context shapes perception. An individual or group may feel that they belong to a PLACE or landscape. AATTITUDES about belonging may evolve and change over time IINDIVIDUALITY. Each unique individual has the potential to enrich the community and foster a greater sense of belonging.
An individual may belong to an IDEA or IDEOLOGY including religious, political or cultural ideologies. NBelonging may be understood as an instinctive NEEDof humanity Examples Our individual identity is greatly constructed by how others perceive us. As members of society we all actively desire the respect, and friendship of our peers. An individual’s fear of alienation can lead them to think or act in ways that are not true to their ideology. Belonging to a social group builds character and identity.
Contrastingly, alienation forces one to ask why they are alone and thus the strength of identity is challenged. To truly belong to a group one must surrender all conflicting thoughts and ideologies. As social group, along with your family, dictates the morals you come to respect. These greatly impact who you are. Alienation does not make us stronger, all it achieves is a disconcerting feeling of being unwanted and rejected. Throughout childhood and adolescence, we observe our parents and peers morals and ideologies, and use this to construct identity.
The community surrounding you impacts your opinion of selfhood, consequently moulding your identity. Being educated on your family’s past wrong doings, can lead to you developing a strong sense of identity that purposefully avoids repeating such errors. An individual who is a member of a social group has a greater chance of maintaining their individuality. This is in contrast to an alienated and disconnected person. When in a similar social group, an individual’s identity is perceived as stronger.
A strong sense of identity is dependant on family and social standing in the community. A sense of identity depends on social interaction within family and community members. John’s sense of identity is dependant on his perception of the group to which he belongs; the police force. When people don’t belong to a group, they have difficulty in establishing a sense of self. Belonging to a family strengthens the belief you have in who you are and what you stand for. Identity is made up of the people surrounding you. In order to have an identity, one must first belong to a group.
