by Danielle Aguilar

Created on: April 27, 2008

To conform or to not conform? In today's society we are taught to give in, give up part of who we are to be part of what is socially acceptable. To be part of what is "right". For some people it is easy, why not give in? But for others, the idea up selling out and giving in is an idea that thrusts their consciences into turmoil. This is very understandable. How would you know what to do when society is telling you one thing but your mind another?

When the question of conformity is posed, it is impossible to answer this question without thinking about the confidence and faith in yourself that one must have in order to stand by their ideals. If someone has a very weak personality, they are more likely to be manipulated into conformity than someone who is sure of themselves as a person. Then there is the question that has not been mentioned yet. What will I lose if I conform and what will I save and gain if I don't?

When someone conforms to a way of life that is completely alien to their own, they lose part of themselves. It is as if some little bit of them dies and is taken over by someone else who is the epitome of what society is looking for. They will quickly learn to not cross any boundaries and to stick to their own preplanned lives. Those who do not conform will probably face a harder time. They will have to fight for their beliefs and constantly defend themselves and their ideals while they are living in a society that is constantly trying to hold them back, push them down, and beat the individuality out of them. Yet those who make it through, those who can proudly stand on their own two feet, will have a mental and physical strength entirely unknown to the other category of citizens also known as the conformists.

In the end though, which is really worth it? Sure, if you conform you will lead a perfectly normal life with nothing to make you stand out. But at what point does normalcy become uniformity? However, if you do not conform you will live a life splashed with individuality, sprinkled with personal identity, and frosted with free will. So which will you choose; to live a cookie cutter life where every thing is planned for you and society dictates your lifestyle or a life that you lead, giving yourself the freedom to express yourself as you wish? Why not choose a life that is free? Why not live a life that is truly yours?

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