Belonging

• (Anthropolgists) Functionalists argue that cultures develop social and cultural mechanisms like rituals, customs and institutions to create solidarity and make people feel they belong. It generates the value consensus to enable cooperation and order.
• Functionalism is criticised as it ignores conflict within societies and assumes all members share common values. It also fails to explain how some groups are excluded from society.
• Thesis (define key concept and the area of inquiry). This can be evident through rights of passages, enculturation and social exclusion. Revealing how humans are socialized to be a certain way and therefore require a sense of belonging in order to fit under societal norms. These factors highlight the ways in which different cultures have different customs in order to conform and therefore experience a sense of belonging. (Functionalism, Biopsychological functionalism theory argues that...) elucidating the...
• Symbolic Boundaries and Belonging:

  Bourgois documents how participation in the drug trade creates symbolic boundaries of belonging within East Harlem. For individuals like Caesar and Primo, gaining recognition and respect within their peer group reinforces their sense of belonging and social status. Similarly, Candy's efforts to assert herself within the male-dominated subculture of the drug trade reflect the negotiation of symbolic boundaries to establish her place within the community and gain recognition from her peers.
• Structural Exclusion and Belonging

  • Individuals like Ray, Caesar, and Primo navigate the structural inequalities of East Harlem
  • Poverty and racism contribute to feelings of exclusion from mainstream society
• Ray's experience


  1. Criminal record

  2. Lack of formal employment opportunities

  3. Pushed into underground economy of drug dealing

  4. Finds sense of belonging within peer group
• Caesar's experience


  1. Asserts dominance within neighborhood

  2. Through reputation for toughness and street smarts

  3. Reinforces sense of belonging within subculture of drug dealing
• Primo's experience


  1. Despite economic hardships

  2. Builds networks of support within community

  3. Through acts of reciprocity and mutual aid

  4. Creates sense of belonging that transcends structural inequalities
• Intersectionality and Belonging:


  Bourgois explores how intersecting identities shape individuals' experiences of belonging within East Harlem. Candy's experiences with sexism intersect with her identity as a Puerto Rican woman, highlighting the unique challenges she faces in her quest for belonging. Additionally, Bourgois discusses the distinct challenges faced by other marginalized groups in the neighborhood, such as LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants, further illustrating the intersectional dynamics of belonging within urban communities.
• Agency and Resistance in Belonging:

  individuals like Caesar and Primo demonstrate agency and resilience in negotiating their sense of belonging within East Harlem. Despite facing structural inequalities and social stigma, they actively assert their agency to shape their own narratives of belonging. Whether through acts of reciprocity, solidarity, or defiance against societal norms, these individuals resist forms of exclusion and assert their right to belong within their community.