Question
When you spend time with close friends or loved ones, how do you feel? You may feel happy, safe, and accepted, knowing that you can share your thoughts and opinions freely. You may feel like you belong. The desire to belong is a universal feeling that affects all people in society. According to the Oxford dictionary, belonging is defined as a “deep sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identification within a group, place, or context.” When someone feels like they belong in a specific environment, they feel valued and respected. Since the beginning of human evolution, people have connected with others in order to survive. This desire to form and grow relationships is deeply rooted in the human brain. Over the years, researchers have used various methods to measure this subjective feeling. Their research has provided a deeper understanding on how belonging affects people. Major Research Breakthroughs in Belonging Theories about the importance of belonging first became popular in the 20th century. Certain thinkers like Sigmund Freud wrote about the importance of interpersonal connection. But Abraham Maslow was the first psychologist to write about belonging as a human need. His 1943 paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation,” laid out his ideas regarding a hierarchy of human needs. Maslow’s theory, commonly referred to as the Hierarchy of Needs, states that humans must acquire their basic needs before they can begin fulfilling other higher, more complex needs. Some of the most basic needs are physiological, like breathing, food, water, and rest. Other basic needs are related to safety, like health, employment and family. Once these needs are fulfilled, humans can begin achieving their psychological needs, like love and belonging. These needs are satisfied when a person has strong relationships with friends, family, and community. Maslow argued that after those psychological needs are met, humans can achieve the needs on the hierarchy’s next level. These include developing self-esteem, or confidence in one’s worth and abilities, and gaining the respect of others. So, to develop good self-esteem, a person must feel like they belong to a group or community. The highest level on Maslow’s hierarchy is self-actualization. Self-actualization happens when a person achieves their full potential and becomes their best self. Maslow wrote that needs like belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization can be harder to achieve and maintain than the basic ones. Social and environmental barriers can limit a person’s ability to access these higher needs. The next groundbreaking research about belonging emerged in 1995. Researchers Mark Leary and Roy F. Baumeister analyzed many earlier studies on belonging to draw wider conclusions. They found that humans have a universal drive to belong, which motivates their thoughts and actions. The researchers believed that the drive to belong was hard-wired into humans, since belonging has historically improved humans’ chances of survival. They found that people across cultures consistently think about how they can maintain social bonds. To feel a true sense of belonging, people must have frequent, positive interactions with others. They must also maintain long-term, close relationships. When people do form close social bonds, they experience more life satisfaction and happiness. But the failure to meet this need for connection can cause deep emotional suffering and long-term psychological consequences. The desire to achieve positive feelings and avoid negative outcomes motivates people to act in ways that build strong social ties. In fact, this drive to build social bonds is so important that Leary and Baumeister argued it was a fundamental human need—not a secondary need in a hierarchy, like Maslow described it. Leary and Baumeister’s later research explored the connection between self-esteem and belonging. According to their research, self-esteem is not just about how we feel about ourselves internally. It actually serves as a warning signal that measures how much we feel accepted or rejected by other people. It gives us feedback about how well our relationships are going. When we feel valued and accepted, our self-esteem increases. When we feel rejected, our self-esteem goes down. This decrease in self-esteem warns us to change our behaviors to increase our sense of belonging. For example, imagine you spread a rumor about a classmate and they found out about it. How might that impact your self-esteem? According to Leary and Beaumeister’s research, you might feel less good about yourself after this incident. So, you might do things to increase your self-esteem, like apologize to your classmate. Humans’ concerns about others’ opinions of ourselves often motivate us to behave in certain ways. The Role of Belonging in Student Success Although feeling connected to people is important in many settings, it becomes especially critical in schools. According to the Student Experience Research Network, students who feel valued by their teachers and fellow students “engage more fully in their learning” and persevere when they experience adversity. A 2020 research analysis by the same organization also found a connection between belonging and positive learning outcomes. It studied decades of belonging research to examine the importance of creating environments that promote a feeling of belonging. The analysis found that students who do not feel a sense of belonging at school are often searching for threats in their environment that signal whether or not they are welcome. This stress can use up cognitive resources, or brain power, needed for learning. This, in turn, can cause poorer academic performance. It can also discourage students from forming deeper relationships, which is important for their physical and mental health. So, a student’s feeling of belonging is vital for their learning. This research analysis found that feelings of belonging were higher among students who had educators that shared their community and cultural backgrounds. They were also higher in schools where students could contribute to class discussions and were held to high standards. This analysis highlighted how individuals may experience the same environment differently based on factors like “race and ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, language, class, indigeneity, or ability.” Because of this, it’s important for educators who create learning environments to look at social, historical, and political contexts to successfully support all their students. The State of Belonging in the United States Feeling accepted by others is not just something students struggle with. Most American adults struggle with it, too. A 2024 study by Over Zero and the American Immigration Council found that most Americans don’t feel like they belong in their workplace (64%), the nation (67%), and their local community (74%). At the same time, fewer Americans report non-belonging among friends (44%) and family (40%). This study also found that Americans with more diverse friend groups (including differences in race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, or age) feel stronger feelings of belonging among their friends than Americans with less diverse friend groups. The same study found that people who felt a stronger sense of belonging were also healthier and happier. They reported less pain, stress, loneliness, and more life satisfaction. Additionally, they were more involved in their communities, trusted their local and national governments more, and felt less marginalized. So, feeling like you belong can actually improve many aspects of your life! The Future of Belonging Research Belonging is a complex thing to measure because it is influenced by so many factors. Researchers continue to analyze how personality, culture, and even social media shape how connected we feel to others. They’re also studying how different parts of our identities affect our sense of belonging. The exciting part? With this knowledge, people can create schools and communities where more people feel included. That way, we can develop a society that is overall healthier, happier, and more connected. What are ways you can create a sense of belonging in your community?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Creating a sense of belonging in your community can be a rewarding endeavor that strengthens social bonds and enhances the overall well-being of individuals. Here are several strategies to foster belonging:
1. **Encourage Open Communication**: Organize regular meetings, forums, or informal gatherings where community members can share their thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Providing a safe space for dialogue helps individuals feel heard and valued.
2. **Celebrate Diversity**: Host cultural events or workshops that highlight the different backgrounds and experiences within your community. This not only educates members about each other but also promotes inclusivity and appreciation for diversity.
3. **Create Collaborative Projects**: Engage community members in collaborative initiatives, such as community gardens, art projects, or local clean-up events. Working together fosters connections and a sense of ownership over shared spaces.
4. **Mentorship Programs**: Establish mentorship opportunities where individuals can support each other, especially among different age groups or backgrounds. This encourages relationship-building and a sense of responsibility towards one another.
5. **Inclusive Activities**: Plan events and activities that cater to diverse interests and demographics, ensuring that everyone can participate. Consider sports leagues, book clubs, art classes, or cooking workshops that invite participation from all community members.
6. **Volunteer Opportunities**: Create structured volunteer programs that allow members to contribute their time and skills for the benefit of the community. Shared goals and efforts can strengthen connections and a sense of purpose.
7. **Support Local Businesses**: Promote and support local businesses and services. Organizing community markets or fairs can create a gathering place where residents can connect and build relationships.
8. **Utilize Social Media**: Leverage social media platforms to connect community members, share events, and highlight positive stories. Digital connections can complement in-person interactions and help people feel connected even when they’re not physically together.
9. **Feedback Mechanisms**: Implement ways for community members to provide feedback on initiatives, events, and policies. When individuals feel their opinions matter, it enhances their sense of belonging and influence.
10. **Foster Emotional Support**: Create or promote networks for mental health and emotional support, such as peer groups or counseling services. Knowing that help is available fosters a sense of security and belonging.
11. **Focus on Youth Engagement**: Involve young people in decision-making processes regarding programs and activities that affect them. Empowered youth are more likely to feel connected and invested in their community.
12. **Promote Accessibility**: Ensure that community spaces, events, and activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Inclusive design can significantly enhance involvement and belonging for all individuals.
By implementing these strategies, you can help create environments where individuals feel valued, accepted, and connected, ultimately fostering a greater sense of belonging within your community.
1. **Encourage Open Communication**: Organize regular meetings, forums, or informal gatherings where community members can share their thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Providing a safe space for dialogue helps individuals feel heard and valued.
2. **Celebrate Diversity**: Host cultural events or workshops that highlight the different backgrounds and experiences within your community. This not only educates members about each other but also promotes inclusivity and appreciation for diversity.
3. **Create Collaborative Projects**: Engage community members in collaborative initiatives, such as community gardens, art projects, or local clean-up events. Working together fosters connections and a sense of ownership over shared spaces.
4. **Mentorship Programs**: Establish mentorship opportunities where individuals can support each other, especially among different age groups or backgrounds. This encourages relationship-building and a sense of responsibility towards one another.
5. **Inclusive Activities**: Plan events and activities that cater to diverse interests and demographics, ensuring that everyone can participate. Consider sports leagues, book clubs, art classes, or cooking workshops that invite participation from all community members.
6. **Volunteer Opportunities**: Create structured volunteer programs that allow members to contribute their time and skills for the benefit of the community. Shared goals and efforts can strengthen connections and a sense of purpose.
7. **Support Local Businesses**: Promote and support local businesses and services. Organizing community markets or fairs can create a gathering place where residents can connect and build relationships.
8. **Utilize Social Media**: Leverage social media platforms to connect community members, share events, and highlight positive stories. Digital connections can complement in-person interactions and help people feel connected even when they’re not physically together.
9. **Feedback Mechanisms**: Implement ways for community members to provide feedback on initiatives, events, and policies. When individuals feel their opinions matter, it enhances their sense of belonging and influence.
10. **Foster Emotional Support**: Create or promote networks for mental health and emotional support, such as peer groups or counseling services. Knowing that help is available fosters a sense of security and belonging.
11. **Focus on Youth Engagement**: Involve young people in decision-making processes regarding programs and activities that affect them. Empowered youth are more likely to feel connected and invested in their community.
12. **Promote Accessibility**: Ensure that community spaces, events, and activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Inclusive design can significantly enhance involvement and belonging for all individuals.
By implementing these strategies, you can help create environments where individuals feel valued, accepted, and connected, ultimately fostering a greater sense of belonging within your community.