Homeless in the Mind: A Case-History of Personal Life in and out of a Close Orthodox Community

Abstract

A sociogenetic theoretical framework is applied to Berger, Berger} and Kellner’s (1973) concept of cultural homelessness, extending its use beyond the sociological effects of modernity to the psychological development of persons who are closely tied to their collective-cultural contexts. The theory is grounded in the bi-directionality of cultural transmission, and the construction of culture in different cultural members. The construction of internal personal cultures is brought about by the individual with the support of social others. The processes by which cultural messages are internalized and externalize back into the culture explain how feeling at home or not at home are normal aspects of socialization. An illustrative example of a retrospective case-history of a woman’s feeling of homelessness in an ultra-orthodox community shows how the individual internalizes and transforms cultural norms. Examples of further applications of the theoretical principles are presented, and implications of feelings of homelessness for understanding the normal processes of socialization.

Key Words:

• internalization
• socialization
• cultural transmission
• homelessness