Would you agree that those who grow up without a strong sense of belonging or community?

Question

find that development of a strong personal identity is harder?

Answer 1

a friend who is 1/8 lebanonsee, 1/4 irish, 1/4 native american,1/4 mexican,1/8 asian or whatever told me it's hard for him to identify himself as any ethnic or cultural group. in the US, such people are more and more...esp. like in Cali.

Answer 2

I’d disagree. The sense of belonging to community/family, and  personal identity aren’t directly correlated. Essentially, the strong identity anchors first and foremost on the self. The person is inner directed, the locus of control lies within. The self takes the decisions, and is responsible for  the actions/outcomes in result. There may also be a sense of belonging to family or community, but they’re not ruled by it.

For example, in a cult, sect or hierarchical ‘family’ system, it may be against the group norms to be individualistic at all. Powerful members may encourage dependence on the group for resource support, for decisions in life, etc. So group identity is what they learn to identify with completely. They remain subservient, because independent living becomes unthinkable. These people become outer directed, and the locus of control remains outside of them, as does decision making and responsibility for actions/outcomes. To develop personal identity, they’d have to rebel.  

A person not so anchored by family or community, may have minimal material resources, but the challenges faced daily might encourage them to become streetsmart and far more adaptable to their surroundings. They’d be forced to rely on themselves for survival, and so learn to develop their personal resources - skills and thinking processes - to get them through life independently.

Answer 3

No. I was never connected to the town I moved to. So I developed my own identity to defy the idiotic ones in my town. I have a very strong sense of myself and my views, thanks to not following my crappy inner city.  

Answer 4

Not at all.

Answer 5

I agree with you but I don't know why. This is something to think about. I think thats why some people exhibit five different personalities. A person that switches their personality and clothing style probably has no sense of belonging and always trying to fit in.