Belonging as pedagogical, practical and political

Abstract

This chapter teases out the nuances of the preceding chapters in Part IV, noting the firm hold of belonging in contemporary social and political discourse and education debate. It asks: What work does belonging ‘do’, both semantically and conceptually? In response, the chapter examines the claims and practices of belonging in debates concerning youth citizenship and student voice, drawing out the everyday, relational ways in which belonging (and its shadow of estrangement) arises from practice. It argues that ethics, power and hospitality are central, both to belonging as a political and analytical category and to making openings and orientations to belonging practical and possible, particul..