There goes a saying that 'Everyone wants to fit in'. In the same manner, there is also a philosophy that we have this unending quest to stand out from the crowd. So, what do we really want to give importance to, conformity or individuality?
Conformity is doing and thinking as others. It is following the behavior that is considered to be socially acceptable or expected. I an inspired by a lot of people. I am socially-conscious. I follow behaviors that is socially expected. Does that make me a conformist? Most of us give in to peer pressure, to what society demands of us. The crucial foundation of the idea of peer pressure is conformity. Conformity spreads into each part of our lives. It affects the way we think, act, dress and the list goes on. By giving in to conformity, we are like metal paper clips. We bend in accordance to how we are used.
On the other hand, Individuality is possessing a specific personality, character or characteristic that distinguishes one person or thing from another. It tells us that every person is unique. They say that true individualists are often innovators. They are original and they are never afraid to take risks. They think 'outside the bun'. It is often believed to be needed in the well-being of a person, yet it is also something that may be necessary to hold back in order to preserve someone else's rights and beliefs. Individualists practice the freedom of expression. Taken from Tom Wait's article, Love story, is an example of how individuality will take us far:
Once upon a time there was a crooked tree and a straight tree. And they grew next to each other. And every day the straight tree would look at the crooked tree and he would say, “You’re crooked. You’ve always been crooked and you’ll continue to be crooked. But look at me! Look at me!” said the straight tree. He said, “I’m tall and I’m straight.” And then one day the lumberjacks came into the forest and looked around, and the manager in charge said, “Cut all the straight trees.” And that crooked tree is still there to this day, growing strong and growing strange.
Sometimes, we need to conform or stand out depending on the situation. For example, in a job interview, we need to look 'prim and proper' in order to gain respect. We need to conform, that is. Another illustration would be in our everyday life, sometimes we need to 'power dress' to have inspiration. According to psychology, the way we dress affects the way we think- and the way we think gives people a chunk of who we really are. This is how we show our individuality. It is only stereotyping that pushes the two terms, individuality and conformity, apart. Personally, I think the two are somewhat interrelated. The former influences the latter and vice versa. We don't need to choose to be a conformist or an individualist. The two, I believe, are reasons and results that make us truly humans.
Conformity is doing and thinking as others. It is following the behavior that is considered to be socially acceptable or expected. I an inspired by a lot of people. I am socially-conscious. I follow behaviors that is socially expected. Does that make me a conformist? Most of us give in to peer pressure, to what society demands of us. The crucial foundation of the idea of peer pressure is conformity. Conformity spreads into each part of our lives. It affects the way we think, act, dress and the list goes on. By giving in to conformity, we are like metal paper clips. We bend in accordance to how we are used.
On the other hand, Individuality is possessing a specific personality, character or characteristic that distinguishes one person or thing from another. It tells us that every person is unique. They say that true individualists are often innovators. They are original and they are never afraid to take risks. They think 'outside the bun'. It is often believed to be needed in the well-being of a person, yet it is also something that may be necessary to hold back in order to preserve someone else's rights and beliefs. Individualists practice the freedom of expression. Taken from Tom Wait's article, Love story, is an example of how individuality will take us far:
Once upon a time there was a crooked tree and a straight tree. And they grew next to each other. And every day the straight tree would look at the crooked tree and he would say, “You’re crooked. You’ve always been crooked and you’ll continue to be crooked. But look at me! Look at me!” said the straight tree. He said, “I’m tall and I’m straight.” And then one day the lumberjacks came into the forest and looked around, and the manager in charge said, “Cut all the straight trees.” And that crooked tree is still there to this day, growing strong and growing strange.
Sometimes, we need to conform or stand out depending on the situation. For example, in a job interview, we need to look 'prim and proper' in order to gain respect. We need to conform, that is. Another illustration would be in our everyday life, sometimes we need to 'power dress' to have inspiration. According to psychology, the way we dress affects the way we think- and the way we think gives people a chunk of who we really are. This is how we show our individuality. It is only stereotyping that pushes the two terms, individuality and conformity, apart. Personally, I think the two are somewhat interrelated. The former influences the latter and vice versa. We don't need to choose to be a conformist or an individualist. The two, I believe, are reasons and results that make us truly humans.
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