What are 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 around factors like gender, sexuality, religion or disability.
Being part of a cultural minority can be challenging, and can 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.
‘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 cultural identity and diversity.
