By Jas Dhanoa
What does it mean to belong?
Social relationships are key to our sense of belonging (The Belonging Forum, 2025). Belonging can be understood as a sense of connectedness in the community and shared mission with others, associated with agency in civic life (Samuel, 2024). These community ties, friendships, and social connections are fundamental in facilitating a sense of worth, happiness, and satisfaction (The Belonging Forum, 2025).
Why is belonging important for children and young people?
Communities are important for a number of reasons.
First, they foster feelings of connectedness to a collective sentiment much larger than ourselves (Stein, 2023). Second, they offer people varying forms of support – including emotional and practical advice – a sense of belonging, and can help with identity formation through shared values (Stein, 2023). Clarke-Drayson (2023) notes that communities play a significant role in influencing the lives of children and young people, as well as their perception of the world around them. Belonging to a strong and supportive community can encourage positive personal developments that can help individuals fulfil their full potential. Third, communities and belonging are crucial for mental health and wellbeing, particularly for those enduring loneliness, marginalisation, or other hardships, by mitigating stress and isolation (Stein, 2023). Research correlates positive mental health in children with a sense of community and belonging, stemming from involvement in decisions and dialogue about their future; these children are much more likely to prosper and succeed into adulthood (Dobson et al., 2023).
Furthermore, according to Hirschi (1969 cited in Nader and Robinson, 2023), young people develop prosocial bonds to society through: attachment, i.e. interpersonal connections; commitment, through establishing and achieving aspirations, indicating investment in society; involvement in prosocial activities, which is especially important for youth; and belief in the values and institutions of society. When these elements are strong, they are believed to deter young people from offending. This is corroborated in research with emerging adults conducted by Nader and Robinson (2023), as it was found that strong prosocial relationships and attachments, as well as commitment to shared community values and involvement in realms like education and employment, either prevented deviance or encouraged desistance, the cessation from crime.
However, despite the clear importance of a sense of belonging and community ties for young people, many experience isolation, mistrust, and disengagement from wider society. In fact, The Belonging Forum (2025) reports that over half of young adults (18-34) reported feelings of anxiety, and loneliness is particularly pervasive for younger people, women, and individuals with disabilities.
Some causes of disconnecting from communities include experiences of truancy and school exclusion, discrimination, and social marginalisation (Clarke-Drayson, 2023). Mental health also plays a notable role. Dobson et al. (2023) highlight how the community should seek to improve the wellbeing of young people, many of whom experience poverty, child abuse, mental health issues, disabilities, and multiple other complex needs that increase their susceptibility to trauma – and this, notably, affects adult mental health. While the article draws from an Australian context, it is applicable to jurisdictions across the world. When people, especially children and young people who are vulnerable, are isolated, it can have adverse effects on their health, incite resentment towards others – including the community – and lead to substance misuse (Clarke-Drayson, 2023).
In the case of young offenders, fostering a connection to the community can be particularly difficult for a number of different reasons. Feelings of social exclusion and alienation are key issues. When young people loiter around street corners, in parks, or elsewhere, it is often perceived as antisocial and deviant due to preconceived stigma, regardless of whether any offending has happened or not, and that creates tensions between the community and young people (Crawford, 2009 cited in Seymour, 2013). Worrall (1997 cited in Seymour, 2013) contests that where the term ‘community’ evokes a sense of belonging for the law-abiding population, this sentiment is not shared by those who are criminalised; particularly not for youth offenders, who frequently endure social adversities and structural inequalities that can push them into crime.
So what can be done?
Children and young people deserve recognition as important members of the community with the right to participate, to be heard, and to have a meaningful sense of place at school, at home, or in their community (Dobson et al., 2023). In Dobson et al.’s (2023) research with children and young people, a clear desire for active and meaningful engagement in their communities emerged, yet they encountered barriers to achieving this. As such, it is vital that children and young people are empowered and supported in enhancing their connectedness with the community by enacting changes to bolster social inclusion, which refers to the proactive efforts to include those who have been excluded from participation and meaningful involvement in wider society (Young et al., 2019).
Young et al. (2019) notes that young people are isolated from non-familial adults, and that the creation of these types of support links can foster wellbeing and empower young people to overcome challenges. Moreover, healthy youth-adult relationships can help young people to become active participants in their personal growth and in their community, facilitating social inclusion (Young et al., 2019).
Social inclusion for children and young people can also be achieved through advocacy – permitting their voices to be respected and heard, which can be especially important for marginalised youth – and teaching them skills (Young et al., 2019). For example, advisory committees and participatory groups can be implemented to encourage engagement. Nottinghamshire’s Youth Justice Service drew contributions for their current strategy plan from children participating in their ‘Young Voices’ group.
Additionally, third sector organisations can be key facilitators of social inclusion and social integration through providing community programmes for young people as it can, particularly for programmes focused on activism and media, can present opportunities (Young et al., 2019). Therefore, access to resources and opportunities in the community should be improved to better support young people. For example, Fearless Youth Association offers the Young People Ambassador Programme, a one-to-one mentoring service that helps young people in achieving opportunities in education, training, and employment.
Finally, Clarke-Drayson (2023) recommends the use of youth work to mend youth-community relations, as it can connect young people directly with their communities while offering a safe space for their personal growth. These spaces can often become communities in themselves, which can help young people develop a sense of belonging when they are unable to in the wider community. One part of Fearless Youth Association’s ethos is the creation of such spaces.
References
Clarke-Drayson, F. (2023) ‘The effects of community on young people’. Available at: https://www.edge.co.uk/about-edge/our-networks/youth-network/the-effects-of-community-on-young-people/
Dobson, M. R., Absalom-Hornby, V., and Baca, E. (2023) ‘“Be beside me”: Exploring children and young people’s visions for belonging and citizenship’, Issues in Educational Research, 33(4), 1362-1379.
Nader, E. S. and Robinson, A. D. (2023) ‘Reconceptualizing Social Bonds for Emerging Adults’, Criminal Justice and Behavior, 50(5), 708-728.
Samuel, K. (2024) ‘Key Insights From the UK’s First Belonging Barometer’. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-power-of-belonging/202404/key-insights-from-the-uk-first-belonging-barometer
Seymour, M. (2013) Youth Justice in Context: Community, Compliance and Young People. Abingdon: Taylor & Francis Group.
Stein, S. (2023) ‘The Importance of Community’. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202307/the-importance-of-community
The Belonging Forum (2025) ‘Belonging Study 2025: Key Findings’. Available at: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/pagefieldbelonging/pages/836/attachments/original/1741177868/Belonging_Study_updated_2025_-_v2-sml.pdf?1741177868
Young, R. A., Botia, A., Domene, J. F., Pradham, K., and Record-Lemon, R. (2019) ‘Fostering Social Inclusion Of Youth Through Joint Action’. In K. Scorgie and C. Forlin (eds), Promoting Social Inclusion: Co-Creating Environments That Foster Equity and Belonging. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 25-40.
