Summary Of David Brooks Non Conformity Is Skin Deep

Non-conformity is skin deep is an article by David Brooks of 27th August 2006, which argues that people fail to adopt the violations that are socially acceptable such as tattoos shallowly. Brooks notes that people’s nonconformity is superficial because they adopt to some transgressions only to look powerful but still remain unchanged inside. The writer made a positive observation through this work because many people have transformed to the socially acceptable violations in the society.

Summary

It is assumed that almost every American has a tattoo, regardless of their profession. This social trend has been accepted and embraced by many people in society to an extent that anyone who makes an offensive comment about tattoos can cause an offense.

His work has also made it possible for the non-conformists to know that their attitude towards tattoos is shallow and that in the near future, they are likely to also have tattoos because the rebelliousness is growing. The manner in which people have transformed and embraced the tattoo culture is also so strong that any negative comment against tattoos will be offensive to most people in the society. Brooks work has therefore achieved its aim of enabling people to understand that they have conformed to the tattooing culture.

Brooks uses the expository and descriptive writing style. The fact that the highest number of people with tattoos are young people and that there are Record Book and Canvas types of tattoos shows the expository type of writing because they are based on facts. Describing the tattoos wearers as rebellious and the fact that the tattoos make them happy paints a picture of the conformation that tattoos cause. The types of tattoos that people love wearing shows the kind of trend that people would rather conform to thus showing the descriptive type of writing that Brooks

It is true that the young people have more tattoos than the old people. 36% of Americans between ages 18-29 have a tattoo (Brooks). The fact that society is accepting this violation means that there are more people who are yet to confirm, of which they will in the near future. It is also evident that people wear tattoos to show commitment because lovers for instance wear the images or the names of their lovers and others wear the images of their icons to show that they matter to them. This kind of permanence on someone’s body shows commitment and it is admirable to the world.

Brooks has structured the article in an organized manner whereby he starts off by making the reader understand that almost every American has a tattoo. He then provides evidence and facts throughout his work which helps the reader to gain a deeper understanding. The work is also very persuasive because it convinces the reader about the author’s feelings. The structure of his work is therefore very effective because it enables the reader to associate better with his work. This therefore makes the understanding of the author’s ideas to be easy because it is engaging.