What defines conformity? And why do we view conformity a bad thing in all aspects? If you think about it aren't we just bits and pieces of others who have influenced our lives in some way or another? As children don't we all say "I want to be like him/her when I'm older?" We all strive to be a better person, so couldn't you consider that conforming to what others think constitutes a good person? What constitutes an individual? For everyone of us is like our parents, siblings, and friends, our individuality is molded by the way we were raised and it what environment we were raised in. If you were raised in a negative setting then the likely hood of you being a negative person is greater then if you were raised in a positive environment.
On the other hand conformity isn't always good but neither is it bad. If you allow yourself to be persuaded to do drugs at a party that would be a form of negative conformity, but if you said no like others at the party it would be a form of positive conformity. And isn't a nonconformist simply a person conforming to the idea of nonconformity?
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These are really good points Athena! I like your spin on the ideas of conformity, and I see your point. You might want to consider looking at Emerson, "what I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think." You could take that, and maybe talk about how sometimes you have to do what other people think, like when your parents think that you have to do your homework (which of course you should), even when what concerns you is going to the rager that's going on tonight. But it sounds like you've got a really good topic here, and I hope that I can read it.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea behind this, because its totally true. can you truly be a non-conformist? i dont think you can. i think that no matter how much you are yourself, your still going to have influences from other people that will leave their mark on you. your always going to have little aspects of yourself that are like other people.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea, because since no one is the exact same as anyone else, it is impossible to be truly unique or truly conformist. (if that makes sense) In our society it is so celebrated to be nonconformist that everyone wants to be individual, like someone else.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are getting at, but you are looking in too deep in my opinion. It is human nature to feel emotion. That doesn't mean you are conforming to being emotional. Just because someone is human doesn't mean they are "conforming" to being human. Just do your own thing.
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