Appartenenza, Appartenenze

The question of what it means to belong is a complex one. Each indi- vidual experiences the feeling of belonging in his or her own, unique fashion, in relation to multiple areas of experience. We can say, however, in essence, belonging is a constituent aspect of both an individual’s identity and the con- nections that shape our communities. In western societies, the nature of our sense of belonging has changed. It is now not so much something that is as- cribed to the individual as something each person acquires. This notwithstand- ing, a sense of belonging remains an essential condition if the individual is to define herself or himself and find a place in the world. It is only within the relational network, and through the process of recognising one another, that we differentiate ourselves from others, and give meaning to our own existence. Globalisation, migration and the subjective turn of modern culture have all had a significant influence on the various forms of belonging we see today. In any case, we observe that ‘native’ persons and those of a migrant background expe- rience their various senses of belonging quite differently and, today, we find it is second-generation youth who are most exposed to the paradoxes of belong- ing (acquired vs. ascribed, exclusive vs. multiple, local vs. global). Against this backdrop, contemporary societies are presented with a valuable opportunity, that of creating a sense of belonging by nurturing recognition and participation.