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)