As humans, we feel a strong need to belong. To one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and country, to our world. This is because belonging is primal and fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being. Many sociological and psychological studies have investigated the sense of community. One of its definitions, proposed by McMillan and Chavis, is as follows: “Feelings that members have of belonging, of bonding with each other and with the group, of shared trust that their own needs and that of others are satisfied through the common commitment”.
Since the beginning of time, humans have formed communities in order to feel a part of something. We can say for sure that we are the sum of the people around us, and this means that depending on the people who are involved in the community, our life can be better or worse. As Susan Lieberman said, “By building relations we create a source of love and personal pride and belonging that makes living in a chaotic world easier”.
Most of the time we want to surround ourselves with driven people who are interesting, have a positive view and are focused on changing the world for the better.
Belonging to a community helps us to live better. In spite of the individualistic drives, knowing how to feel good with others, therefore developing a sense of belonging, is fundamental for the growth of the individual, of the young person, and of the adult. We are still social animals, we are made to live in relationships, we need to feel useful, to be accepted, and we improve and learn in comparison with others.
In the community, each one can experience the advantages of cooperation, support, unity, and strength. Feeling the importance of one’s role, of one’s contribution to the group can only increase our self-esteem. Connecting with other people means accepting the rules for being in a group, having to ask, being able to listen, taking responsibility, feeling obliged, facing conflict, taking on roles, and facing judgment.
Being part of a community is also good for our mental health because it provides a source of fun, support, and friendship. It’s a huge part of life, finding those people that you want to spend your time with. The sense of community is important in strengthening, uniting, and coping with the events that can affect the entire community as well as the individual.
In conclusion, communities are extremely important for humans, given their social nature. Being part of a community is a fundamental need for our sense of happiness, as well as physical and mental well-being.