The Problem With... Conformism

First of all, there are many problems existing in society, and only a few are addressed at a time. From combating rising crime figures to promoting healthier lifestyle, only so many issues receive enough publicity to be brought to the attention of the general public, while other matters are wrongfully ignored. 

And one of those 'other' matters is the sole reason why this website was created, for the sake of preserving a generation's individuality and embracing independence in the way we talk, behave and express ourselves. The issue? Conformism. 

Unlike the subject of crime or health-related articles on Google, the results for conformism only include online dictionaries describing the word, without a trace of anything else. So, where does that leave us? For the few who are intrigued by the meaning of conformism, they are left at a dead end once they come across the likes of the Collins Dictionary - and are unable to further their search into the important subject. It seems as though conformism isn't discussed as heavily as it should, which plants a troubling thought in my mind: does anybody care about its drastic side-effects or is it deemed acceptable in this modern day?

Perhaps when the issues surrounding conformism are promoted to such an extent that very few people can turn a blind eye to it, we realize that adopting a new persona for the sake of fitting in is deeply unacceptable, and has no place in our society. If the Human Rights act has anything to do with it, shouldn't all of us have the right to be ourselves without others pressurizing us to alter our individual traits? Yet the Law is more often than not read by those interested in it, so therefore more and more people - including the young, whose lack of life experience places them in a vulnerable position - are unaware of what is right and wrong. Otherwise, why would conformism be an issue which I would feel the need to address? 

Conformism does not only mess with impressible individuals' minds but makes those affected by it immune to realizing its creativity-robbing ways; whatever some people might see as a cause for concern, those eager to follow the crowd either cannot or don't want to believe that a problem has occurred. You see, many teenagers swept into a craze like fish being caught at sea don't see anything wrong in adjusting their accents or changing their style of clothing in order to be 'accepted' by the crowd. But each step taken away from their mindset is a loss of self-independence which they will struggle to regain if their descent into conformism continues. 

With each word I write of this, the same question pops into my head: am I the only one who thinks the way that I do? For over six hours five times per week, I'm alone in an environment where crowds of hysterical girls and wannabe Grand Theft Auto boys outnumber me by several hundred to my sole figure. Having attended the school for the past month, I had expected to have found at least one person who was on a similar level to mine, or at least understood more than half of my opinions, but my high expectations have so far been met with rock bottom disappointment. My school is a conformist's dream because there are very few pupils (or, for the time being, no one apart from myself) who have no qualms about speaking up for themselves, and the only means of survival is by hanging out in a crowd at all times. Even the toilets provide no escape from numerous girls huddling together - privacy is a word which does NOT register with anyone!

However, it fascinates me to contemplate what it would be like if, within the click of a finger, the crowds dispersed and the pupils' only choice was to go it alone. How would they survive without the company of other people, even those they would refer to as mere acquaintances? Although the title of a loner is often portrayed as unfavourable as a disgraced public figure, I'm nonetheless proud of my ability to get through hard times - both within school and outside of it - without needing to rely on other people. I'm strong enough to work through my own dilemmas (the worst of which are mainly related to spot-tastic breakouts) by myself, which indicates an independence that only comes into existence through self-actualization. 

But self-strength could be sacrificed if one is unable to take the time to discover it during one of the most important stages in life: adolescence. At this point, teenagers and young adults are deciding what is right and wrong for themselves, and cannot always see the faults in the decisions they might make. Persuasion is a popular tactic here because this is how conformism is formed; without an ability to lure others to your example, would you ever gather a loyal legion of followers? Unfortunately, teenagers agree or give in way too easily - if it was me, I wouldn't go without putting up a fight! 

Despite the odds of winning a fight not particularly in my favour, the confidence I have within myself would protect me from the bullying tactics which partly forms the meaning of conformism. Yet such confidence doesn't necessarily come easy to some people which, in turn, places them at a higher possibility of conforming. But why, oh why should people - who, although they might not have realized it themselves, are brilliant just the way they are - disguise their best features and tag along with a crowd whose leader is unknown? There is no leadership in conforming - instead, followers become mere tools in a game which robs them of their independence and a right to lead their lives in respect of their freewill. 

Reasons for conforming include:

• A person has been bullied/is being bullied and doesn't want to be singled out for whatever reason (e.g. hair colour, mannerisms). So, they might change their hair colour and put on a different attitude when immersed in a crowd who dictates what is 'cool' and what goes against the 'rules' - even if it brings no happiness to the person in question.
• Very few people wish to fall into the grip of loneliness, and crave to be surrounded with company while at school or work; at times, being with others can help us get through hard times, especially when exams are just around the corner! But if there are no fellow individuals who share things in common with you or just don't like you (as I've experienced at my new school), this could potentially lead to people conforming. As upsetting as loneliness can be, what price can you place upon the jewel you treasure most: yourself?
• It has been instilled into your nature to follow another's example and fighting against it would create more hassle than you could handle. But, in my opinion, putting up an all-mighty battle benefits your confidence, unlike going along with the crowd. 

There are countless other reasons which don't automatically spring to mind, but I'm sure that you can list a few more - from knowledge or personal experience! 

I would like to believe that you recognize the problem with conforming and are able to see from miles away; despite being short-sighted, it doesn't mean that I cannot see the obvious signs of conformism! 

However hard you might find it to say no to one's questions or demands, you will later look back at that moment and be relieved to have stood up for not only yourself, but also for society. If more people gathered the strength to utter a simple two-lettered word, maybe conformism will slowly be on its way out, yet the beginning of a rebellion is always the hardest part of all. 

So, I shall leave you with an inspiring quote, my fellow anti-conformists. Long shall our battle continue!

'Freedom began on the day the first sheep wandered away from the herd.'
― Marty Rubin

Welcome to the Society

As you and I instinctively realize, the first post is almost always the most difficult and awkward one of all, however this is a post which I hope will inspire you into joining the club, or at least The Anti-Conformist Society (ACS).

Having set up my blog, Life as a Modern Teen, late last year, I've recently been inspired to turn my attention towards a startling matter which is affecting mine and probably your generation: conformism.

In life, we can expect to be pressurized and encouraged into performing deeds which, if we were not in such an environment, we would otherwise decline, but tempt us if asked by persuasive people or so-called 'friends' who don't know the meaning of the word. From performing childish dares to trying drugs, peer pressure surrounds us in many hidden forms which we often struggle to notice, and we are vulnerable to its powers whilst held under its tight grip. But, until a few weeks ago, I had hardly given a second thought to the underlying cause of peer pressure, and only discovered the truth because of incidents occurring in my personal life. And my discovery? Peer pressure is the direct result of what I'm now campaigning against: conformism.

Wherever I go at school, my watchful eyes cannot ignore the truth being displayed right in front of me, and I'm powerless to escape the devastating fact of modern day - and indeed teenage - life. Although it is easy to fall into the pattern of writing biasedly, I'm seriously not kidding when I declare that everybody at school looks, behaves and, depending on whether they can squeeze their thighs into ultra-mini skirts, dresses the same! And that exclamation mark doesn't exist because I regard it as an all-mighty joke; in fact, it saddens me beyond disbelief that teenagers of my generation are failing to express their individuality, believing that it is just to follow the crowd instead.

What baffles me the most is the reason why many teenagers are reluctant to express who they are at heart, and feel the need to follow the example of others. One reason which instantly springs to mind is that teenagers fear rejection like any other human being does, and children can possess a nastiness which would send shivers down an adult's spine. Indeed, bullying is more often than not rife during childhood, and has a bigger dominance because of social media, phones and the internet, which makes it impossible for anybody to switch off from school life. Nobody likes to be picked on nor deserves it, but should we not use it as an opportunity to stand up for ourselves - and never allow anyone to prevent us from embracing our uniqueness?

Unfortunately, I'm struggling to catch any glimpses of so-called 'uniqueness' at my school because pupils are either unaware of its existence or turn a blind eye to it, preferring to copy others (who of course copy other people) instead of thinking for themselves. And, when you think about it, it does evoke a sigh of pity for these pupils who are blinded by foolishness and are unable to realize that following the crowd is not the only way of being happy. But if it is all that they have ever known, how can you expect them to wake up one day and be an entirely different person?

Conformism is a sad tale in modern day society, yet no efforts appear to be made to banish it for good - and where does that leave a lost generation? I wish that the message about being true to yourself would finally get through to millions of youngsters around the world and, undoubtedly, the pupils at my school, but it is unlikely that all will listen and take the necessary steps towards redeeming themselves. If only one fellow pupil at school would break out of a trend and express no fear in standing out from the crowd; like I often say, it is better than nothing. However, I've received enough ridicule relating to my desire to be myself at the school, so who is to say that nobody else will be harassed?

Anyway, I would like to welcome you to the Society in which anyone with opinions and an independent mind is free to express themselves - it is the only rule I impose upon any members!

The Anti-Conformist Society might or might not make a difference to conformism-related issues, but I hope that it provokes an desire to change the mindset of society and many people. Hope is a beautiful thing, and will be cherished as my battle against conformism begins, hopefully leading to a successful ending.

Let your words protect you in battle!

         - LikeATeen, July 2014