All human development is social-situational--that is, it is the result of continued interaction between personal maturation and socialization into group life. For most Americans, it is families and schools under whose direct influence a large proportion of preadult life is spent. Within these communities are subgroups based on age, sex, socioeconomic class, and the various kinds of adult and child work and play. Both symbolic interaction and induction are learned means of protecting the individual group member through communalization. Seen as a source of mutual prediction and reciprocal satisfaction, belonging and its opportunity for social identification may enhance self-discovery, extending and varying relationships and the opportunity for communication and interaction. The self is located, extended, and--at least partially--defined by membership. Social or political homelessness may degenerate quickly into a threat to existence, for belonging is the sine qua non of human effectiveness. Within a society building toward the ideal, the personal pattern of living must adjust itself to human needs and human needs must not be forced to adjust themselves to invalid, preexisting routines if individual or group life is to be productive and humane. (Author/IRT)