14.2 What Do We Mean by “Meaning”?
Elizabeth B. Pearce and Matthew DeCarlo
Throughout this text we have discussed equity and inclusion through the lens of what families need. We’ve focused on the ways that social structures can facilitate or create barriers for families, based on the ways that social identities are constructed. Some of the needs we’ve discussed are material, such as food and shelter. We’ve looked at loving and connecting relationships and tangible feelings of belonging, representation as well as visual culture that affirms and supports families. This chapter will focus on something less definable: the feelings of meaning and purpose that individuals and families experience. We will also look at the structures and experiences that support or create barriers to families’ purpose and meaning.
Everyone has their own sense of meaning and purpose. One might describe meaning and purpose as being the same thing, while others may see them as different but related concepts. Each word is sometimes used to define the other—for example, this definition of meaning: “Meaning in life reflects the feeling that one’s existence has significance, purpose, and coherence” (Routledge & FioRito, 2021). Or this definition of purpose: “Purpose is the culmination of meaningful goals” (Miller, 2021).
Purposive action can be narrowly defined as exchanging one set of circumstances for a better one. Of course, this does not tell you why someone completed an action—just that you assume they did so for some reason. When we talk about purpose and action in this chapter, we are using a defining purpose as something that drives your spiritual, psychological, and social life.
As you read this chapter, consider the definitions above, as well as these bullet points.
Meaning can include:
- The emotional significance of an action or way of being
- The intention or reason for doing something
- Is something that we create and feel; it’s closely linked to motivation
Purpose can include:
- The aim, goal, or intention of an action
- A long-term guiding principle
- The impact our life has on the world
Activity: Meaning in Life Questionnaire
For a scientific look into your own sense of meaning and purpose in life and how it relates to your health, take a minute or two and complete the “meaning in life” questionnaire.
While there are many potential definitions for “meaning,” this questionnaire conceptualizes meaning as having two components: presence and search.
The “presence of meaning” subscale measures how fully respondents feel their lives are of meaning. Questions 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 provide five scientific questions that probe the presence of meaning in your life. If you scored highly on questions 1, 4, 5, and 6, you perceive your life to be full of meaning. If you scored highly on question 9, you perceive your life to have less meaning.
According to a recent review of the literature, the presence of meaning is positively related to well-being, intrinsic religiosity, extrav