Identity And Belonging Essay Example

afforded numerous advantages compared to those in the black group. Regrettably, even presently, such divisions endure.

In today's society, fashion choices play a crucial role in determining popularity among groups. In schools, there are two dominant fashion styles - 'Swag' and 'indie'. Sadly, individuals who do not conform to these groups face discrimination because of their unique fashion preferences. This focus on group formation within schools can have adverse effects on society. Additionally, another important aspect that shapes a person's life is their family.

The family environment has a significant impact on shaping one's identity. Spending most of their life within a family provides individuals with a foundation to explore their identity and find their place in the world. The family also plays a crucial role in facilitating social interactions, helping to form relationships and life partners. Furthermore, the family greatly influences romantic choices as individuals seek partners who share their values. In the novel 'Skin', Sandra's decision to marry Petrus, an African-American man, causes conflict within her family. Her family disapproves of her choice due to their prejudice, resulting in society viewing them unfavorably. Additionally, South Africa's apartheid system reinforces segregation which further intensifies tension within Sandra's family since her father strictly adheres to societal norms.

The disapproval of Sandra's family towards her relationship, driven by racism and their aversion to having a black individual as part of their family, illustrates how she was fully excluded from her own family. Her father and brothers' rejection, resulting from her marriage to a black man, highlights the complete ostracization Sandra experienced within her own family. By choosing a partner outside of her own

race, she ultimately created a distance between herself and her true group - her own family. This notion of familial prejudice based on choices in relationships is also evident in Shakespeare's play 'Romeo and Juliet'.

The play's situation resembles Sandra's situation. Romeo and Juliet must go against their families to be together due to a longstanding conflict between the families. As a result, neither the families nor the lovers can resolve the conflict, showing that belonging to one group creates distance from another. Society plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's identity as societal norms and guidelines heavily influence their actions. Furthermore, society's incentives affect a person's values and morals.

Society is where individuals put their acquired identity from family and school into practice, contributing significantly to the formation of various groups. These groups, including racial, religious, and ethnic groups, may potentially marginalize and ostracize individuals who differ from them. ‘Skin’ vividly illustrates the manifestation of segregation, where black people face mistreatment from white people solely based on their skin color.

During the 1960s, segregation was the prevailing concept in South Africa, commonly referred to as 'apartheid'. This film showcases the segregation experienced by Sandra within her community solely because she is Black. It depicts how Black individuals were forced to reside in separate suburbs and attend different schools compared to White individuals. The society of that era was fully governed by the White majority, who held complete authority over national affairs by controlling education and technology.

During the era of racial segregation in America, African-Americans experienced discrimination based on their skin color. Prominent figures such as Martin

Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi actively fought against this harsh form of segregation, emphasizing how being part of a specific group can cause divisions and conflicts with others. Historical evidence illustrates that belonging to one group can completely isolate us from another, a trend that still exists in today's society.

Throughout history, many conflicts and issues have arisen from one group excluding another. Violence and discrimination often stem from the need for acceptance in both groups. The clashes between various groups, whether based on religion or race, have been largely caused by one group pushing away another due to disagreements. Historical evidence demonstrates that belonging to one group can lead to conflict and distance from others.