Tribal Identity and Loss of Self
Durkheim discovered that men, the wealthy, the unmarried, and Protestants were more likely to commit suicide than Catholics, Jews, the married, or the poor. He found that high suicide rates were inversely proportional to the degree of social integration of a particular demographic group. In other words, the more individualistic and autonomous a group a person belonged to, the greater the chance of the individuals in that group had of committing suicide.
Further studies have confirmed his findings. Higher suicide rates correspond directly with the loss of cultural identity associated with greater affluence and autonomy.
Durkeim attributed this phenomenon with a breakdown of social bonds, mores, and moral guidance resulting from the increased individualism a rise in prestige and affluence affords. He termed the condition "anomie." In later studies he examined the role of anomie in other sociol ills such as deviance and criminality.
Pioneering psychologist Carl Rogers stated in 1955 that Persons are constituted through socio-historical and cultural processes. Since then, many other theories have emerged--from symbolic interaction to social self and deviance theories--that all say basically the same thing with slightly different emphasis. Our "selfs", our identities are forged by our culture.
Social bonds certainly existed with greater strength in pre-industrial societies, but the anomie described by Durkeim began with our first tentative step toward civilization, when initial, albeit minuscule, breaks with our tribe and the erosion of our tribal identity started.
Movement toward modernity has increased the number of choices individuals have, but traditional, tribal people have a more well defined personal identity. As civilization and industrialization increase social ties weaken, and as those ties weaken it becomes increasingly difficult to form an identity or connection to anything larger than ourselves.
In their own language, all the terms that traditional, tribal people use to refer to themselves mean literally "human" or "human being" and define what it means to be part of the tribe and what it meant to be a human being.
Tribal identity defines and locates an individual within itself and within the larger context of the world, nature and even the supernatural, gives human beings and the individual a place in the world, providing a framework in which humans can depend on to interact with each other and the natural environment. Tribes defined our relationships, forged social bonds, identities, and commitments, and gave the individuals a sense of security, continuance, and well-being.
The loss of that tribal identity has meant the loss of ritual and a consistent value system which humans have depended on for stability and sense of security. No longer identifying with a tribe has fragmented the conceptual framework we use to make sense of the world and give life meaning. A sense of direction and purpose is diminished or harder to perceive, as is our place in the world and our understanding of what it means to be human.
Modernity offers an incomplete and fragmented view of ourselves that does not define us or provide us with any sense of security or well being. Modern identities are often based on ill-defined categories--lawyer, postal worker, janitor, American--that do little to define us or our value has human beings or purpose of existence.
The roles, socio-economic positions, status and prestige modern peoples use to define their selves can all be threatened. Divorce, death of a spouse or child, job loss, economic setbacks, or innumerable other losses can be devastating to a person's self-esteem, sense of identity, sense of worth and well being, and even existence. Defining ourselves by the roles we play or the place we occupy in the social structure or organization doesn't provide the stability or constancy that a definition of a self defined by a tribal identity provides. Such a fragile sense of identity results in anger, anxiety, depression, uncertainty, loss of relevance, and a pervasion of fear, in affect the basis for every human neurosis and dysfunctional behavior, including alcohol and drug addiction, deviance, criminality, and human abuse.
Besides providing no security and inviting the fear need for all neurosis, the alienation felt by many modern individuals results in a lack of purpose and direction. Progressive understanding of 'self' only in terms of own self or individual and not in the context of the importance and connection to a larger group or tribe, leads to increasingly exploitative 'self-centered' lifestyles that further exacerbates sense of isolation and alienation. Cultural identity based on greed, self-centeredness, and exploitation and dominance, can't enhance self-esteem or sense of belonging or worth.
Those who have a connection with a tribe or heritage have less neurosis, and for those who still have a tribe left to reconnect to, doing so can dramatically raise self worth, and give a sense of value and real of meaning to life.
American Indians who were placed in non-Indian families as children experienced high rates of hostility, acting out, running away, and depression. Much of that behavior and feelings of inferiority can be attributed to the racism and discrimination they experienced. Yet, without exception, those who reengaged with their native culture and heritage as adults experienced a renewed sense of identity and belonging. They felt whole, often for the first time in their lives, despite the racism still prevalent in their environment.
Connecting with their tribal identities resulting in a decrease of depression, decreased drug and alcohol abuse, less aggressive behavior, increased self-esteem, feelings of love, joy, and compassion. They report finding a purpose in life and increase their spiritual activities. Many are able to form commitments and carry through with responsibilities. They pay more attention to the needs of other people, take better care of themselves, and smile more often.
Other studies have shown that native Americans can use culture to overcome drug and alcohol addictions.
Most of the people in the industrial world today no longer have the option to renew their tribal identity. But the situation is obvious. Only by socially integrating and forming an identity to something larger than ourselves can we hope to have a life that is truly meaningful and fulfilling, and that's not possible by exploiting and dominating the world and everything in it the way western world has been doing. Being part of life gives our lives meaning, not lording over it.
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