The Paradox Of Belonging Analysis

We gain more from belonging to a group than we lose
Everyone needs to belong to a certain group as it helps to develop a sense of “us” and “them” that helps to define who and what we are. The interaction between people within the group makes us to feel acceptance, satisfaction and recognition of our own personal values. However, as the fear of rejection and disparity are often associated, sometimes we must sacrifice in order to belong. This may result of a trapped individuality and we behave in a different way that is contrary to our “true selves”. The paradox of belonging hence makes both positive and negative impacts on our selves. In order to define our identities, one must find a balance to live between these two.

In Abraham Maslow’s
In starts with the basic human physiological needs such as shelter, food and water resources. Then the needs of safety and security, and follow after that is the need to belong, be loved, connected and accepted by others. For this reason, the sense of belonging established since the existence of human being, where human hunted and lived in groups. By working together, it made hunting more successful and avoided the potential danger of predators. Even in now day’s society, we still feel the needs to belong and to fit into a group. When I came to Australia from a foreign country, where the cultural background is utterly different, I felt the strong urge to make friends so I can become a part of their groups. When I discovered that I could not fit into the “white group”, I turned to become friends with some of the Chinese oversea students, where I was able to talk and felt comfortable with because I am also Chinese. Even now, most of my friends are Asian and my best friends
In Witness, there are many indications that John Book does not belong to the Amish group. He drinks the lemonade by gulping it down quickly and spilling on his neck and shirt whereas Daniel, the Amish man, takes little sips at a time. The difference in behaviours strongly highlights the contrast of cultural backgrounds in these two men, and stresses the point that John Book does not fit into the Amish society. And clearly, John himself realizes this as ultimately he chose to go back to his own world, “where he longs”. When I first came to Australia, I also recognized the fact that I did not belong to the white group because we look differently, we speak differently and we behave differently, therefore, I chose to join the Chinese group where everyone else is same as me and I do not feel left out. Other than that, belong to a group also satisfy our position in the group as we often have to put individual needs second and put the needs of the group ahead of our own interest. As a result, we tend to move from “me” to “us”. In the film, the Amish refer themselves as “ours”. In the ice cream scene, Eli says, “this is not our way,” while John Boo said, “but it is myway.” The careful selection of pronouns implies and shows the unity of the group and individuality by contrasting between the Amish group and John Book. Furthermore, belonging to a group also helps to create one’s sense