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Multicultural Identity, Relationships, Marriage, Immigration, Being a Foreign and Discrimination.
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"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Albert Camus
Cultural Issues of Identity and Belonging
What are the Cultural Issues of Identity and Belonging? Most people thrive in a society that accepts and celebrates their culture, whether that culture is geographical, racial, or based on factors like gender, sexuality, religion or disability.
Being part of a cultural minority can be challenging and cause cultural issues that contribute to practical, physical and psychological difficulties. It can be hard growing up differently in a majority culture or not being able to identify with the culture of their background. As a child or parent of a minority background challenges can often feel too complex to understand.
It speaks to the very heart of identity. SO, WHO AM I?
What defines identity? Colour? Race? Thoughts?
‘Minority stress’, for example, describes the chronically high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by people who are part of minority groups. This is not associated with any particular issue but simply the fact of existing as part of a minority culture. Also, some people with mixed-race backgrounds may also have cultural issues with identity and belonging.
If you are struggling with cultural issues relating to your identity, therapy may be able to help. It might also help for you to connect with a therapist or counsellor who shares your search for cultural identity and diversity.
What Is an Identity Crisis?
An identity crisis is a developmental event that involves a person questioning their sense of self or place in the world. The formation of identity is one of the most important conflicts that people face.
An identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. Developing a sense of identity is important during the teenage years, though the formation and growth of identity are not confined to adolescence.
Instead, identity shifts and changes throughout life as people confront new challenges and tackle different experiences. Thus, an identity crisis can occur at any age. It is an existential crisis.