Belonging is a basic human need and we all need to belong in some way

Belonging is the term used when the individual becomes involved in something; it is a feeling of security where members feel included, accepted, related, fit in, conformed and subscribed, which enhance their well-being with the feeling of home. Various groups such as family, friends and community aspire people to belong as these are seen as the very important groups for people to want to fit in to. People want to be able to feel and be included amongst their friends and be accepted by their group of friends for who they are.

They want to be able to feel part of a wider community but most importantly, they want to feel like they belong in a family of people who love them for who they are and accept them. Thus, belonging is a rudimentary human necessity as each person is dependent on others to feel included and accepted in some way. People need to belong because it is a feeling to be needed, to be part of something, to have someone give affection and show that they care; we all need that.

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To have the feeling that we ''belong'' gives us the feeling we aren't useless and we can make a small difference and we are still good for something and people want us around. We feel that it is important for our self-esteem if we don't get the feeling we belong from anywhere, therefore the human being is always in need to ''belong'' and be a part of society and be accepted.

Our need to belong is what drives us to look for stable, long lasting relationships with other people. It also motivates us to participate in social activities such as clubs, sports teams, religious groups, and community organizations. By belonging to a group, we feel as if we are a part of something bigger and more important than ourselves. In Carson McCuller’s novella “The Member of the Wedding”, the protagonist Frankie looks for inclusion when she seeks to belong to the wedding. By discussing her involvement in the wedding in her travels around the town, she tries to build confidence in her self-esteem, knowing that she will now officially be included in a group or an event, which is the wedding; so she thinks. Frankie is now more confident as she feels a sense of belonging. Relevant to Frankie’s need to belong, Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs shows that belongingness is part of one of his major needs that motivates human behavior. Membership of a group offers people closure and inclusion into a crowd, therefore belonging is essential.