The Effects of Not Belonging Can Be Disastrous

Humans have many different desires. These could be having a dream house, car or job. We all wish for certain things, however there is one desire that is inevitable. We all want and need it, and that desire is to belong. Belonging is a concept that deals with the human need or wish to feel a connection with a person, place, community or thing. The effects of not belonging can truly be disastrous.

A sense of belonging is vital for our existence as it creates a sense of fulfillment and protection in our lives. However, if we don’t feel we belong, and we are ostracized and alienated our lives become devoted to finding a place where we feel accepted. The negative effects this can have on people is huge, the sense of not belonging can lead to problems such as depression, anxiety and can even cause someone to commit suicide.

The film 'bully' highlights and clearly shows the real life effects that not belonging can have. Children such as Alex Libby, Tyler long, Kelby Johnson and Ja'Meya Jackson were all victims of bullying, were all excluded by their peers, all had no one to stand up for them and therefore all ultimately felt like they didn't belong. The effects that not belonging had on each of these children all varied. The most serious cases being one committing suicide, and the other just accepting the fact that he didn't fit in and ultimately stating that he couldn't feel anything anymore. 'Bully' is a great film that highlights how disastrous the effects of not belonging can be.

The effects of not belonging can be seen in many current issues, one being asylum seekers. An asylum seeker is a person who from fear of persecution, for reasons of race, religion, social group, or political opinion, has crossed an international frontier into a country in which he or she hopes to be granted refugee status. The feeling of not belonging, can cause innocent people to flee their country. The effects that not belonging can have can be seen clearly in many current events,