...A Sense of Belonging Student Name College Name A Sense of Belonging Alice Walker’s Everyday Use was about a woman who raised two daughters on a farm in the rural south during the late 1960s or early 1970s. Even though they were very poor, the eldest daughter, Dee, was able to go away to college. She was educated and very worldly. The younger sister, Maggie, stayed at home with Mama and could barely read. Although Mama and Maggie felt they belonged on the farm, Dee felt she belonged in the city, and couldn’t understand why Mama and Maggie didn’t feel the same way. Mama felt comfortable living on the farm. While waiting in the yard for Dee to arrive for a visit, she said, “a yard like this is more comfortable than most people know” (Walker, 2011, p. 283). Mama knew the yard would be a suitable place to wait. She said “the hard clay is swept clean as a floor and the fine sand around the edges lined with tiny, irregular grooves anyone can come and sit and look up into the elm tree and wait for the breezes that never come inside the house” (Walker, 2011, p. 283). Mama was a very practical person and content with her lot in life. She accepted the fact that she didn’t possess the skills that women typically possessed. She couldn’t sing like the other ladies in church, but she spoke proudly of her rough, “man-working hands” (Walker, 2011, p. 283). Mama was a large, big-boned, strong woman. She could slaughter animals and work hard all day just like a man. She even dressed in...
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...Countless individuals go through life yearning for a sense of belonging; Unfortunately, there are many people who are never able to fulfil this most natural instinct, which is finding a place that truly feels like home. In my case, I realized at a young age, I was very lucky that I’ve resided in the Metro-East area all of my life. As mentioned above, many people are not given the opportunity to have a comfortable quality of life in a diverse atmosphere, along with simultaneously enjoying all of the area’s amenities, so all of this has resulted in my immenseful love and pride for the Metro-East area. In addition, I also love the Metro-East area because it is literally the best of two worlds. For instance, the countryside could be in one direction,...
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...Question “Relationships are essential to finding a true sense of belonging” Discuss with reference to your prescribed text and related text/s Due to the complex and abstract nature of the concept of belonging, a true sense of belonging can be found in different circumstances for different people. As each individual has their own desires, needs and values, they find their place in the world and a genuine sense of belonging in various avenues. Many individuals find the strongest sense of belonging through relationships, due to the fact that by nature these connections fulfill the human need for social interaction and enrich the lives of the persons involved. Conversely, relationships which do not fit the conventional model of this kind of connection and thus result in negative outcomes for individuals can ultimately lead to a true sense of not belonging and its related notions of isolation and disaffection. Instead, these individuals may attain the same sense that they truly belong outside relationships, though their connections to other ideas such as place and culture, or within themselves. Shakespeare’s As You Like It and Khyenstse Norbu’s Travellers and Magicians are two texts in which an exploration of belonging and its different meanings for individuals ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the complexity of the concept of belonging and thus that individuals can find a true sense of belonging in a great range of places, not limited to relationships. ...
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...Belonging speech Good morning/Afternoon teachers and students today I will be showing you how a sense of belonging or not belonging greatly influences an individual’s identity. A change in identity occurs when belonging is found through meaningful, intimate relationships, with senses of place, community, safety and familiarity. The free verse novel, The Simple Gift, composed by Steven Herrick, the dramatic fairy tale film, Edward Scissor hands, directed and created by Tim Burton and the novel Matilda composed by Roald Dahl, all explore the concepts of belonging and relationships through the strong use of literary techniques; and focus on a changing Identity as a base for belonging. All texts have significantly different perspectives of belonging and identity. Edward yearns to belong and become part of society’s conformity and routine, whereas Billy aspires to a life of solitude and self-reliance and Matilda tries to belong somewhere in her life. Billy is a misfit in high school, having no significant relationships and a heartless abusive father, the ‘old bastard’. Before he embarks on journey for belonging, it is evident that he lacks a sense of belonging at home and in his community. Billy describes his home house as ‘Deadbeat no hoper shithole lonely downtrodden house in Long lands road, Nowheresville’. This string of informal negative description emphasizes Billy’s emotional isolation and dislocation within his community. His missing sense of belonging gives him the identity...
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...“Relationships are essential to finding a true sense of belonging” Discuss with reference to your prescribed text and related text/s Due to the complex and abstract nature of the concept of belonging, a true sense of belonging can be found in different circumstances for different people. As each individual has their own desires, needs and values, they find their place in the world and a genuine sense of belonging in various avenues. Many individuals find the strongest sense of belonging through relationships, due to the fact that by nature these connections fulfill the human need for social interaction and enrich the lives of the persons involved. Conversely, relationships which do not fit the conventional model of this kind of connection and thus result in negative outcomes for individuals can ultimately lead to a true sense of not belonging and its related notions of isolation and disaffection. Instead, these individuals may attain the same sense that they truly belong outside relationships, though their connections to other ideas such as place and culture, or within themselves. Shakespeare’s As You Like It and Khyenstse Norbu’s Travellers and Magicains are two texts in which an exploration of belonging and its different meanings for individuals ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the complexity of the concept of belonging and thus that individuals can find a true sense of belonging in a great range of places, not limited to relationships. Relationships by...
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...Belonging is considered to be a broad concept which can offer many individuals a sense of security, identity as well as connectivity. An individual’s viewpoints on belonging can be related to the interactions they have with others, as a positive view may enhance their sense of belonging, whereas, a negative view may limit their ability to do so. Through an individual’s inability to express their positive attitudes towards others, can often be the reason why one may reject the ideas of belonging through acts such as rebellion and self-alienation. This perception can be explored within Peter Skrzynecki’s poem St Patricks College, as it portrays the characters partial experiences of belonging through his relationships with others which lead to his self-alienation and rebellion. In contrast with this is Peter Skrzynecki’s poem 10 Mary Street which explores the positive attitudes of belonging through the relationships of family as well as culture. Similarly the film Little Miss Sunshine directed by Jonathan Dayton has incorporated both positive and negative attitudes of belonging and has incorporated the physical, emotional and social factors of belonging within a community and family. The negative attitudes and views within a group or community has reiterated a limited sense of belonging within Peter skrzynecki’s poem St Patricks College. The persona within the poem recalls his schooling years of sadness whilst using a dull tone to demonstrate his isolation from the school community...
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...AOS – Belonging Essay ‘St. Patricks College’, ‘Migrant Hostel’ and Starry Night – Vincent Van Gough Belonging is an abstract perception that evolves and changes depending on an individual’s context and situation. The tension between belonging to society and self is at the heart of the complexity of the concept. Peter Skrzynecki’s poems St. Patricks College and Migrant Hostel from the immigrant chronicles and Van Gogh’s Starry Night are different mediums that juxtapose the duality of belonging and portray the diverse links individuals have to universal perceptions of connection. Belonging is a complex and multifaceted concept. The need to connect with social frameworks as well as one’s own cultural identity is the reason for the tension and dichotomy of belonging. Migrant Host explores the tension and sense of alienation for both society and self that can result from the migrant experience. A lack of interaction between individuals and places limits an individual’s experience of belonging, this is explored through ‘comings and goings’ and ‘arrivals and departures’ reinforcing the idea of these momentary connections. Through the use of many poetic techniques, the concept of acceptance is shown; a simile “like a homing pigeon” is used to highlight the urgency and desire to gain a sense of connection with the current environment. The simile ‘like a homing pigeon/ circling to get its bearings’ reinforces the idea of a complex sense of separation in the hostel. The disconnection...
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...“I’m trying to make a case for people who don’t have the sense of belonging that they should have, that there is something really worthwhile in having a sense of belonging.” Imagine yourself in a foreign land. You have no idea where you are or who to turn to. Your new surroundings make you feel out of place. Imagine feeling like that for thirty days…or sixty days…or more. How are you coping? Are you sleeping well? What is your mood? My bet is that you are falling apart; That you are spiralling out of control. You want to be logical about all of this, but reason has taken a back seat to longing. “I’m trying to make a case for people who don’t have the sense of belonging that they should have, that there is something really worthwhile in having a sense of belonging.” An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can limit or enrich their experience of belonging. Belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, groups or community. It is something we all feel whether we mean to or not. This belonging gives us an attachment to other people or things and we can gain other certain feelings such as security, happiness, pride, sense of value and acceptance by others as social human beings. It gives us an awareness of identity and builds our self-confidence and self-esteem as we feel part of something bigger. There are also implications for not belonging, our inability to connect can lead to isolation, alienation, vulnerability and dislocated from society...
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...The concept of belonging highlights our needs of acceptance through relationships and communities. This is clearly exemplified through Peter Skrzynecki’s Immigrant Chronicle (1975), which depicts the challenge of developing a sense of belonging. Peter Skrzynecki has evidently communicated this to the responder through ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ’10 Mary Street’. The novel ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ by Doris Pilkington, 1996, effectively improves on these ideas, where the protagonist, Molly, lacks a sense of security. Each composer has used a variety of techniques to convey a sense of belonging. Peter Skryznecki portrays a lack of belonging through the poem, ‘Migrant Hostel’. It explores the dislocation and insecurity the migrants feel. This is stated through the simile “nationalities sought each other out instinctively like a homing pigeon” as it highlights the desire that the immigrants felt they needed to seek familiarity. Despite the fact that they were in a new environment that didn’t offer a strong sense of comfort, they chose to establish their own sense of belonging through other migrants of the same culture. Whilst this promotes a sense of belonging, it also means that the migrants isolated themselves from other groups of the hostel. This is mainly due to memories of “hunger and hate” which emphasis the fact that they are haunted by their past which is an example of alliteration. Peter Skryznecki shows a connection with a sense of belonging involved with the migrants. In...
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...Strictly Ballroom | Tea with Milk | Personal Context | * Perceptions of belonging and not belonging are shaped through an individuals personal context and they way they were brought up * Familial relationships significantly influence an individual’s sense of belonging * Belonging to a family does not necessarily always have positive impacts / provide a sense of belonging * Belonging is enriched by a positive interaction with others and the surrounding world but can also be limited in the sense that the wider community/world can provide barriers to limit the connection individuals need to develop their sense of belonging | | * Doug subjugated and represses his own sense of individuality in order to keep his and Shirley’s marriage steady despite the fact that he always feels isolate and alone * Due to Scott’s lack of inclusion and self-expression within his family, he yearns for cultural group that will accept him. His personal context restricted his feeling of acceptance. This is shown through the strict conformist rules that Shirley and Lez impose on Scott when he dances | * Generational difference – May’s parents have a different view of belonging to American culture. They feels as if they belong more strongly to the Japanese culture which is why they decided to move back to Japan and teach may about Japanese culture. * May and her parents have different perceptions of belonging due to generational difference. This is shown in the image of May outside the...
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...The curative nature of relationships to revalidate and renourish an individual’s sense of belonging through personal growth is featured in the verse novel The Simple Gift (2000) by Steven Herrick, Lasse Hallstrom’s film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993) and Mitch Albom’s prose fiction, For One More Day (2006). The texts endorse the remedial impact of positive relationships in bearing fruition to the individual’s familial and social belonging through a validation of their self worth. In The Simple Gift, Billy and Caitlyn escape familial turmoil and superficiality for genuine relationships, whilst Old Bill’s new found friendships and reconciliation with his traumatised past witnesses the remedial impact of relationships upon the individual’s esteem and belonging. In “The Hobo Hour”, Billy’s rekindled faith encourages...
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...A Pedagogy of Belonging Mitchell Beck and James Malley ABSTRACT: The psychological sense that one belongs in a classroom and school community is considered a necessary antecedent to the successful learning experience. In an era when traditional sources of belonging have diminished due to changing family and community demographics, the school plays an increasingly important role in meeting this need. There is evidence that conventional classroom practices fail to engender a sense of belonging, especially among at-risk students. Indeed, conventional practices may exacerbate feelings of rejection and alienation and place these students at higher risk for dropping out, joining gangs, or using drugs. Schools can increase the sense of belonging for all students by emphasizing the importance of the teacher-student relationship and by actively involving all students in the life of the classroom and the school community. Specific examples of programs that promote a sense of belonging for students are discussed. To Belong: To have a proper, appropriate, or suitable place. To be naturally associated with something. To fit into a group naturally — Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary Can children succeed in a school in which they do not feel they belong? Most children fail in school not because they lack the necessary cognitive skills, but because they feel detached, alienated, and isolated from others and from the educational process. When children feel rejected by others...
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...the people within the place or group. e.g. Orlando feels a sense of belonging because he is his father’s son but feels he doesn’t belong because of the way that Oliver treats him e.g. Rosalind belongs to the court but doesn’t belong when her father gets banished from the court and she doesn’t belong anymore e.g. (Dropzone) Ethan feels that he belongs to the shit city and apartment block because he has lived there and grown up there all of his life, but feels he doesn’t belong because of his hatred for his father and because of the crime and bad nature of his suburb 2. Explore the significance of place on one’s sense of belonging Place can have a significant impact on a persons sense of belonging. Place is something that each one of us belong to, and although one place may have a significant meaning to more than one person, each of the meanings for each individual is completely different for each and every person. - place provide sense of security and feelings of belonging - can change who you are e.g. The significance of his suburb and apartment block because he has lived there all of his life e.g. Significance of FreeFall to Ethan because it was the first place where he felt that he actually belonged to and the group of friends he met at FreeFall e.g. When Oliver finally reaches the forest and then suddenly loves Orlando, and also falls in love with Ceilia 3. Do your texts invite you to feel a sense of connection to them, or do they exclude you? Explain Yes...
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...Personal, Social, Academic and Career Problems Expressed by Minority College Students. By: Lucas, Margaretha S., Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 08838534, Jan93, Vol. 21, Issue 1 by providing an environment conducive to personal development without the level of conflict and isolation minorities experience at most White universities retention, but also progression and social-academic productivity are difficult for them highlighted in their writings covert, intrapsychic factors such as emotions, attitudes, perceptions, aspirations, and expectations about college, and interpsychic factors such as institutional climate, faculty, and professional staff employed by the university. reported African-American students' struggles with finances, academic adjustment, living conditions, emotional-psychological concerns, career-vocational concerns, and to a lesser degree, health, peer relationships, and family relationship concerns It seemed appropriate to survey freshmen for this project because an early assessment of potential problems and an early introduction to the university's counseling center and other relevant services might result in timely detection and possible solution of academic and psychological problems. Early detection of problems and familiarity of resources are crucial The majority of students in this sample of minority students did not want counseling (66.7%), and when they did they wanted career guidance, not personal or social guidance or a...
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...: A person’s sense of belonging is shaped by their connections within their physical and social environments. This representation of belonging is seen in Gaita’s memoir Romulus, my Father and the short story “neighbours” by Tim Wilton. Romulus,my Father is Raimond Gaita’s memoir to his father Romulus; focusing on exploring his father’s moral identity and their joint experiences living in Central Victoria as European immigrants arriving in the 1950’s. The main connections of belonging explored in the two texts are connections to place, in terms of landscape and community; as well as connections within relationships. These connections serve to enrich an individual’s sense of belonging to their community, environment and within their personal identity. One’s connection to the landscape can contribute to their sense of belonging to their environment as well as their sense of harmony and affirmation within their identity. In Romulus, m Father; Raimond’s deep emotional connection to the stark landscape of Central Victoria evinces his sense of belonging to the environment as well as within his identity. This is apparent in his description of the landscape: ‘The tall yellow burnt grass…gave colour to my freedom and also to my understanding of suffering. ‘ The lyrical passion which imbues his description conveys his strong emotional connection to the landscape, as does the descriptive imagery of the landscape e.g. ‘tall’ and burnt’. The depth of this emotional connection established...
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