safe space
"This non-essentialist approach to identity leaves greater scope for analysing individual action with regard to the individual's own culture. The ways in which individuals perceive their culture and give meaning to it are diverse and variable. People are capable of criticizing their cultural habitus and opening themselves up to innovation and supplementation with new cultural elements. This often leads to diverse forms of connections. What is needed for such reflection and innovation, however, is a feeling of security. The general precondition for reflection, therefore, is a safe space." "For people to open themselves up to new ideas and connections, as Taylor points out (5), they need to feel recognized for who they are: social recognition is of paramount importance for human development. This is the only base that would allow people to feel secure enough to question some aspects of their cultural background. The change should come from conviction and a sense of bel