Belonging…
Conceptualizing Belonging….
• explores a concept• examines how it can be
represented in different texts• analyses how notions of belonging
can impact on our perceptions of self and our place in the world
• triggers personal reflection
Connections to:
Family
Place
Cultural background
Culture
Community
Nation
begin at birth
Family connections
‘Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.’ Susan Lieberman
A Sense of Place
‘The meaning, intention, felt value and significance that individuals or groups give to
particular places’ (Curtis & Rees Jones, 1998)
Belonging can be linked to…
Culture, Heritage
Religion
Patriotism, Nationalism &
Culture
Friendship
A sense of Not Belonging however can generate negative feelings of:
• Alienation
• Disaffection
• Estrangement
• Dislocation
• Isolation
• Marginalisation
• Rebellion
There are strong,
instinctive forces that promote
unity within a group.
‘By building relations we create a source of love and personal pride and belonging that makes living in a chaotic world easier’.
Susan Lieberman
This need to belong is supported by sociological study.Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is represented as a
pyramid with the more basic needs at the bottom.
Texts can explore positive associations with belonging
Texts can also explore the problems connected with
not belonging
Trying to fit in or conform
But never quite managing to
Having to hide
who you want to
be
Secret
Identity
Fighting Stereotypes
Coping with…
Exclusion
Marginalisation
Isolation
Fractured self - image
Aggression and Intimidation
Exclusion can result from…
Racism and Prejudice
Tyranny
Armed Conflict
Displacement and resettlement
Still Confused?Belonging Concepts
What does it mean and signify?
Motherhood statements
Prescribed Text
What notions are represented?
How are these communicated?
ORTs
TWO that meet typical type
questions and link and/or challenge
prescribed text
Recapping:Our intuitive need to belong
can:• Have both positive and negative
consequences
• Shape our individuality and sense of self
• Can influence our beliefs, actions and emotions
• Dictate our view of the world-mindset
• Be textually represented in various ways
Conceptualising ChallengeWhat do the following
images say to you about belonging?
Jot down as many single word ideas as you can in the time you
have – approximately 20 seconds each:
You must show understanding of different notions of Belonging and what
it signifies through:
• Recognition of belonging concepts in unseen texts (Section 1)
• Composition incorporating belonging concepts
(Section 2)• Through explicit thesis statements• Textual analysis• Textual comparison (Section 3)