As a student, I am often troubled by the rigid routines of the school day, despite the fact that I am actually a very habitual person. The constant ringing of bells, lectures, bellwork, classwork, homework, each a daily practice throughout the school year. Although all of these components promote conformity, which will ultimately support the balance of school and societal norms, they also tend to threaten each student’s own unique characteristics. This then poses the question; to what degree should schools encourage conformity versus individuality? Certainly, a level of conformity is required to achieve a balanced society however, the overall structure of the school day and class, including the methods used to teach and mandatory classes, is depriving students of their sense of independence by not allowing them to think for themselves and destroying their natural curiosity; therefore I believe schools need to place more emphasis on the individuality of students. There is no doubt that conformity is essential to the harmony of society. It allows for individuals to work together under a uniform set of rules and norms. In childhood and adolescence, the time during which students go to school, children begin to learn these basic rules of civilization. They socialize with others, learn respect and become well-rounded individuals. This requires students to not only develop their talents but also their weaknesses. This Achilles' heel may be academic, such as math and science or more artistic, like vocal music (Source F). Although students may not be pursuing a future in these areas, learning them is part of becoming a balanced person academically. Only strengthening and focusing on a student’s specific talent could create an image... ... middle of paper ... ...e actually interested in, they could begin to view the school day as an obstacle to just push through. They could have a negative opinion of the information they are learning and be more resistant to it. Overall, if schools catered more to the individual needs and interests of each student, thereby promoting individuality, students would have more interest in their education and would benefit more from it. The repetitive structure of a school day, in a way, provides me with a sense of security, an awareness of what to expect, but it can be monotonous and lack excitement. When you consider how much time students spend in school it is clear that the experience shapes their lives and can have a lasting effect. It is for this reason that it is crucial to have the correct balance of conformity and individuality for the benefit of both civilization and individuals.
The persuasive essay, “Individuality vs. Conformity: The Healthy MIddle,” discusses, how there maybe a difference but maybe it is 50/50. He discusses and argues about where is the middle. In addition, he believes that people want to fit in but be different. The author supports her argument by justifying and defining about how it is human nature to want to be liked. In addition, to that people have a feeling of liquid fire going through there veins which is the natural feeling of someone feeling there need for individuality and people want to attain the status. The authors purpose is to persuade the readers, specifically high school students in order to show the healthy middle between conformity
This article points out the flaws in our modern education systems. Students should enjoy school and feel as though they are learning important things in the subjects offered. The classes can be altered to tend to the interests of children, so they can properly express themselves. School should be preparing children to be mature, how to handle hard situations, and ultimately prepare them for their future lives. Overall, Gatto’s article has its flaws, but it can be used to help improve the education system for upcoming
Today’s society as well as the majority of our schools can definitely improve on how it encourages creativity and individuality in today’s youth. A lot of the time, it’s hard to do this, but with smaller classrooms, more qualified and devoted teachers, and more cooperation from the students, everyone’s needs could be met, and students would receive a better education. Many of today’s schools have no tolerance for anything that may go against the “norm.” Schools today can allow for individuality and differences in students, but they either choose not to or are not aware that anything is wrong with the way they do things. In Melville’s, Billy Budd, there are examples of this stifling of individuality. The crew members on board the “Avenger” are made to all conform and follow orders without question. Through Claggart, the men’s individuality and rights as people are taken away through fear. No matter what anyone is trying to accomplish, satisfying everyone is almost always impossible. It is no different in today’s school system, satisfying everyone is difficult. Students are not allowed to express themselves as freely as they should. This is not the case in all schools, but it is Especially since incidents like those at Columbine High School, schools now view acts of individuality and creativeness as those of malicious intent. There is a kind of intolerance for those who act differently from the majority. Ever since the two boys from Columbine murdered their classmates, everyone has been extremely cautious about everything from actual death threats, to mere heated discussion between classmates. It is almost to a point of overkill.
Imagine being alone with no friends and no one to talk to. Now, place yourself in a location where you are surrounded by closed tight-knit groups where acceptance from those groups is a challenge to obtain. Then, picture yourself back when you were in high school, but this time, apply the image you have created for yourself. Do you wish for acceptance? Or friendship? Do you feel confident in taking the challenges that high school will bring? High school has a significant impact on an individual’s development. Whether it is their personality or behavior, an individual who goes through high school can see changes in their characteristics. A common stereotype in high school that is largely portrayed in the media is the existence of cliques. Cliques can give an individual a sense of belonging or a sense of betrayal. These two behaviors are commonly seen with the acceptance or rejection from these groups. An immediate result from these two actions is a change in morale or confidence for that individual. Cliques exist in high school due to individual conformity. An individual conforms to the group in order to feel accepted or to feel secured. Groups or cliques in high school have a significant negative effect on an individual’s development of characteristic and personality and the reasons as to why individuals join these types are not justified.
Norms thus are the means through which people express their values in behavior. Students in higher learning institutions have to follow certain rules and regulations in addition to their learned behaviors, such living amicably with their peers. These norms are passed down to generations as new students enroll to the institutions and follow the set rules and regulations as they specify what should and should be done. Moreover, it is a norm in schools to cooperate with the lecturers and the administration to make the education environment
The schooling system has become an accepted part of young education in America. Although this system creates a standard system without much deviation, it still provides children with many opportunities to develop their passions. Many people feel constricted by this set education, however, this education is the key to success later in life. The skills learned not only academically, but how to behave in a scheduled environment, guide children to behave correctly throughout their lives. The schooling system uses ideas of conformity to make children value the idea of working together while still gaining an abundance of knowledge.
As a result of this need, "we, therefore, learn to conform to the standards of other individuals. Moreover, the more we see others behaving in a certain way or making certain decisions, the more we feel compelled to follow suit. " Despite the freedoms we are supposed to have in American society, most adolescents find it difficult to establish their own identity. "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth," said John F. Kennedy. When we comply with what our acquaintances, family, or public opinion asks of us, we lose the capability to develop into our own person.
Children are typically put down when they want to be a musician, actor, artist, etc. they are pushed into careers that will ‘further society’s progress’. “...academic ability, which has really come to dominate our view of intelligence...the whole system of public education around the world is a protracted process of university entrance...the consequence is that many highly-talented, brilliant, creative people think they're not...[due] to the thing they were good at school wasn't valued…” (TED). Student are pushed from their passions and encouraged to attend universities to help industrialize the world. Although industrialization is inherently important, an individual's possible success in other fields are influenced negatively during early academic years. When locked into a state of standardization many students can not succeed and that is when education will fail and get dispirited due to bad grades. “They’re quitting because they’re discouraged and bored...creative people, for the most part, exhibit active moods and positive affect. They’re not particularly happy...But they’re engaged, motivated, and open to the world…”(Bronson). Many students stop paying attention in class, they day dream, draw or write stories; they get disciplined when they don’t pay attention in a classroom setting or if they are too fidgety. This is due to the lack of personalization
In the morning before school, picking out an outfit can be difficult. There are many questions to consider like; “Do I want to be different?”, “What will people think of this outfit?”, “Does this show who I am?” This can be very stressful, and cause complications when it comes to identifying yourself and making difficult decisions. Problems that come with individuality can easily be avoided and refocused with conformity. School uniforms positively impact of the learning environment by ensuring student safety, psychological growth, and academic performance.
Conformity is defined as the occurrence of people yielding to social pressures as a result of pressure from a group of their peers; when faced by the pressure to conform, people will alter their behaviour and actions to fit the norm demonstrated by their peers (Lilienfield et al., 2012). Conformity is studied so that is can be understood and used in society to facilitate positive outcomes, and help avoid situations where peoples’ predisposition to conform leads to negative consequences (Lilienfield et al., 2012). By understanding conformity and other social processes society as a whole is able to understand themselves better and motivates them to work on improving as a whole (Lilienfield et al., 2012).
Conformation of School Children . A. The article 'School bars over nose stud' presents two very different attitudes towards teenage rights. It describes a fourteen-year-old girl, Tara Le Santo, who pierced her nose with her father's support, and is now being suspended from school until she removes her stud. While Tara's father is quoted as 'making a stand against all this old fashioned crap', the article also features a letter, which expresses a much contrasting opinion that 'the time that a British headmaster concedes any 'rights' to fourteen-year-olds would be the time to emigrate.'
Without the pressure of competing with different styles, students are more relaxed in school, leading to disappearing
Unlike many students who are excited about the weekend on Friday, and burnt out by Wednesday, these students appear to be the opposite. Most likely these students have home lives, which are filled with neglect, violence, and fear, and school provides a sense of sanctuary for them. I think that these students appreciate the structure and teacher involvement in school, since it is most likely the place where they receive the most guidance and are treated like the children they are. Overall, I think that being at school allows for the students to be children where their lives outside of school require them to be mature beyond their years. The structure of school provides security for these students, a security which they do not most likely get outside of
Education plays a large part in the socialization of children into society. Most American children spend the required 180 days each year in school from the first grade through high school. Most of a child's day through these years is devoted to activities involving school such as attending classes, doing homework, and participating in extracurricular activities. The school format is designed to teach children to be productive members of society.
People around an individual will always try to influence them in a particular direction. They will attempt to dictate on how the individual should conduct their lives; the dictations could be direct or indirect. The direct influence is whereby one has to conduct their lives based on the set social rules and regulations. In the indirect influence, one is just expected to flow with the prevailing social norms and values of a group of a people. What follows from all the influences is called social conformity. An overwhelmed person has to change their behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs just to fit within a group. However, it is not a must for one to conform to the social expectations, but some are too weak to stand up against social conformity. Therefore, the role of social conformity is to control a person, but an individual can always resist and live as they wish.