Janina Saspa

Conformity vs Individuality

Conformity and Individuality are two opposing forces visible in society every day. Ironically however, they can co-exist in harmony to produce a well-balanced society.

Conformity is synonymous with uniformity wherein a single entity or a mass is given the privilege to set a standard which an individual’s compliance is mandatory. Governing bodies usually have the right to control this standard. In a scholastic setting, an administration has the say if students should or not wear a common dress code. When the given standards or rules are met by the individuals comprising the mass under control, harmony, peace and order would exist, given that the standards are rational, reasonable and to some extent, embedded with values.
Individuality on the other hand, would be a product of one’s desire to freely express ones’ self when this may contradict the set of norms that exist in the society.

In my opinion, a society cannot exist without balance between conformity and individuality. You can’t go to a wedding wearing a bamboo skirt if the theme is European, right? But even in conforming to society we show one bit of ourselves, because that is the essence of being an individual (diba sabi nila we are created uniquely). Individuality for me is in every sense or our being, therefore; it cannot be avoided even in the midst of conforming to society.
On the other hand, we can always choose to be united with society and not be stereotyped by other people. For example, sa states, high school peeps have different kinds of categories:

1. We have the nerds (they can’t help it if they are naturally smart and they think the way they do.)
2. The Goth or emo-tastic people (if you think life is sad, i think they want to show the gravity or what they feel, nothing wrong right?)
3. Jocks and Cheerleaders (wala tayong magagawa kung they are naturally mayabang and conceited, they are worshipped nga db?)
4. Preppy and loner (there is nothing wrong if you are happy being alone and if you want to be yourself)
Etc...

Conformity allows us to have order and discipline in society, that’s why these categories are formed, because people are afraid that everybody would prioritize what they feel and who they want to be, causing chaos. People clash because of their individuality and conforming to society helps hide surfacing personalities that might cause misunderstanding between people.... blah blah blah.. gets?
Haha. Ang hirap mag-english. Anyway, I asked some people about their own opinions about conformity vs individuality...

dana torio: sa tingin ko dapat may tamang balance between the two, conformity is okay, lalo na pagdating sa moral norms ng society, ganun pero pag nasusuppress na yung identity ng individual at nararamdaman niyang hindi na siya free to express himself, dun na mali yung pagcoconform

Nicola Roa: individualityNicola Roa: conformity is mandatory sheephood lang

colleen balarbar: Aahh Okay

colleen balarbar: Uhh i think individuality

janina: whhhy?

colleen balarbar: uhm. hmm. ksi lahat tayo unique gnyan?

colleen balarbar: Mali ba?

_cathy_l: hahahal a little bit of both?pero pra saken ngayong decade or basta latelylmas nagprepredominate ung individuality pra sken ahhahahah kase hindi na tayo as restricted as beforel well hindi naman sa hindi na tayo nagcoconform oo pa ren pero mas encouraged lng na matuto tayo idefine ung totoo tayol_cathy_l: i mean totoong ikawl_cathy_l: hhahahaha

Lucho Ayala: hmmm.Lucho Ayala: meron mga taong conformist at individualist diba?Lucho Ayala: di pwedeng mawala yun.Lucho Ayala: meron talaga.Lucho Ayala: ngayon.Lucho Ayala: malamang mas kailangan ng society ang conformist.Lucho Ayala: para umasenso, diba?Lucho Ayala: pero marami namang individualist. na wala lang pakialam.Lucho Ayala: tulad koLucho Ayala: isa nakoLucho Ayala: nakikinabang lang sa mga ginagawa ng mga taong may pakialam sa gobyerno, etc.Lucho Ayala: either way, Lucho Ayala: tumatakbo naman ang society ng mabutiLucho Ayala: though pwede natn sabihin di mabuti.Lucho Ayala: haha.Lucho Ayala: individualist, isang reason kung bakit meron yan.Lucho Ayala: opposed sila sa government.Lucho Ayala: or illiteracy.Lucho Ayala: etc.

pattyfatz reyes: Nagcoconform ka na lang kasi takot ka sa iisipin ng mga taopattyfatz reyes: tama ba yan?janina: okay na yan

Chino de Vera: ah. yung conformity depende. minsan kailangan lang talaga i break yung rules para maka achieve ng progress Chino de Vera: tapos ayos yung individuality. cool yun janina: individualist ka ba or conformist?janina: hahaChino de Vera: individualist janina: yn thanks chino

yey :))