Since the day we were born, we've been stuck in a constant cycle that we cannot break from. We're expected to attend school, have a career, get married, and eventually have children who are thrown into a similar cycle. In fact, many people tend to accept this way of life without questioning their predetermined destiny. However, we were born on this planet with a choice, and I for one, did not sign up for what society has to offer.
Society promotes individuality and supports the idea of diversity, but only to an extent. Any sense of individuality or self-expression is marginalized in today's world. Of course this is carried out in order to guarantee fairness and consistency.
One cannot say if individuals are separate from society or a part of society, or if the concept behind being an individual is simply an illusion. Society presents us with an abundance of music, food, and different types of lifestyles that we tend to go along with. However, most people who make up our society lead to lose themselves in the process. We accept society’s expectations and believe that we could live a fulfilling life if we go along with those expectations or have the same interests that everybody else has.
The truth of the matter is that our beliefs and behaviors are set up by members of our community or family. Everything we wear, eat, watch or listen to is done for the sake of conformity. Was this intentional or is it simply human nature?
Of course it could go either way. Maybe society desires conformity in order to function properly, or maybe conforming is a natural instinct. According to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy theory, acceptance is one of man's most essential goals in life. Humans seek interaction and love, it is a necessity. Isolation and disapproval from others leads to depression. Most of our relationships are built on interests that we may share with another person. In order to maintain society, we are compelled to pay taxes and obey laws. This allows humans to interact with one another in a safe and comfortable environment.
However there is a fine line between submitting to society's will and being an individual. There are individuals in society who go against the constraints of society. They remind us to at least attempt to lead a meaningful life that is not completely controlled by a society that desires conformity.
Everybody has the chance to go against the current in order to be of an individual rather than a clone. Losing our sense of individuality is dangerous and we could possibly lose ourselves in the process of conforming.
Although people yearn interaction and having people relate to their ideals and moralities, you must hold onto to your identity and what makes you, you. If society isn't promoting any good, why conform to it? Do what you feel is right and impact other lives positively.
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