by Jerry Curtis

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: March 29, 2010

Society values conformity because conformity gives society value. We conform in ways that both keep things running smoothly and keep us from harsh light of scrutiny that nonconformists endure, especially when their nonconformity causes us to question the values of our society.

The foregoing may sound like circular reasoning, or a tautology, and is even self-evident - except for the fact that each of us conforms every day of our lives in ways we might not even realize. We drive on a particular side of the road (right in U.S., left in U.K., Australia, etc.) not only in conformance, but for self-preservation. We agree that pieces of paper and metal discs are acceptable exchange for goods and service. We agree to obey signs like "keep left," or we stop when a red light shines. Examples abound.

The most dramatic example of conformity has to do with something called "the social contract." It is an agreement we all make and results in behavior that is both law-abiding and civil (in the sense of politeness to others). Once a person or group of persons breaks that "social contract," we have the phenomenon known as "deviant behavior." Society has mechanisms devised to address or correct those who break the social contract, ranging from psychotherapy to lethal injection in states with the death penalty.

Finally, society even values non-conformists who, ironically, conform in a way society accepts. For example, society accepts political dissension when the dissidents refrain from rioting and obey orders from the police. We tolerate dropouts from society (the indigent homeless, for example) and even give them support systems, provided they don't annoy us too much with the panhandling.

Society values conformity because things run better when we obey the rules.

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