A big theme in this book seemed to be conformity. I got to thinking about how kids conform today. You've still got the kind that was present during the '40s and '50s, the straight-laced, short haired, step in line attitude that is embodied by many of our own parents, aunts and uncles, etc. However, I think a new flavor of conformity has emerged. There's the kind our elders impose on us, and the kind our peers impose on us. To fit in the crowd, you're forced to do drugs, drink, have sex, break laws, and hate pretty much anything that isn't considered bad by our authorities. This breeds a new type of "rebel". The one who will sit in the library and study for hours, the one that won't break out of the house for the hell of it, the one that is perfectly content to pay attention in class, and do volunteer work. A life of solitude, and study seems to be the new non-conformity.
So, which non-conformist are you?
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Ah I agree whole heartedly on this one John! It's a twisted way of thinking about society, but it ends up being true! The "normal" of now is to break the laws and rules while those who choose to rebel from this are the "straight A students."
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I would probably be the rebel of today. As much pressure as there is to be a part of the crowd that likes to break every rule, there are just too many consequences.
John, I think that you have made a good point with this. I never really thought of the rebelling of today as that. As wrong as everything is, there's more and more doing that, which has made it more of the normal I think. I would have to say I am also the rebel of today as Dylan said. I like to follow the rules and not have to worry about all those consequences. It's not just like that here either. I have a friend I was talking to in Sri Lanka, and she was saying that the situation is the same. I wasn't sure what another country's lifesty or sense of conformity would be. I think I was expecting it to be how it was in the 40's or 50's for us, but it just shows no matter where your at you'll find a little bit of both, but there will always be the different ways you can conform, and it's up to you what you choose.
ReplyDeleteJohn this is an awesome point! I've never thought about it like that but its completey true. Kids are almost expected to go against whats good and right for them in today's world, and its uncommon to find a lot who are still like the kids in the 40's and 50's. The more I think about this the more sense it makes. When I think about someone rebelling, I think of the drugs, alcohol, and everything like that. But so many kids now are doing that stuff and it's just becoming part of a teenager's normal life. This is insane to me.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm like Pickle and Jill. I'm not one to break rules and what not. I don't even like to be put in a situation where thats an option. I like following the rules and being a good girl.
As usual, your post is succinct and brilliant. I think that you are absolutely right, because in today's culture, we are pressured more to break rules and do the wrong thing than we are to do what's right. Doing illegal things, and neglecting work is so much more easy than playing by the rules and doing your part, so the popular thing to do is naturally rebel. But since the popular crowd become the leaders of the youth, that means that they are indeed conforming rather than rebelling. I am pretty good student so, I suppose that means I'm a rebel. *I think that at this point, rebellion has become the act of deliberately wasting your life to cause an inconveniance to other people who will one day pay for you and your family to live.
ReplyDeleteI had to actually read your post over two or three times before I actually understood the entire thing. But why! You are so right on how our generation is today. Kids strive to fit in with their friends and their surroundings. Most will be a "rebel" and follow the rules. However I have noticed more and more kids getting into drugs, breaking the rules, and so on.
ReplyDeleteOkay...I agree with everyone here. Those who don't rebel, follow the rules, follow the law, get good grades, are an "overachiever," listen to authority, and even help the authority out,...etc..are typically the ones picked on. Not all people, though.
ReplyDeleteI admit that I am this type of person. Of course, most everybody probably already knew that. However, I have tried fitting in before, but I don't go to the extent of drinking, drugs, and sex.
Anyone besides Colby have some original thoughts?
ReplyDeleteOh Colby's ripping on the welfare people again.
ReplyDeleteI think our target of rebellion has changed from half a century ago. We learned in history last year how society tried to make every family perfect. The parents forced their kids to behave and pressured them to do everything right. You can't blame the kids for rebelling against them.
Today, though, by being good students we're making our parents proud and just rebelling against our peers as everyone said.
Who will we rebel against next?
Conformity and rebellion are always shifting its sides, but are ever present. As soon as you declare what is “rebelling”, people will start to conform to the ever popular rebellion. Rebellion is basically a desperate attempt to change what is being forced upon, and once a majority of people start to rebel, it becomes the conformity, and the switch happens again. Rebellion and conformity are tools created by society. If only people could rely on their own character alone to make decisions, who knows what the world would be like. I personally don't classify myself as either rebelling or conforming. What to call myself? Strange? Outcasted by both sides? Who cares? Not me. :P
ReplyDelete"If only people could rely on their own character alone to make decisions..."
ReplyDeleteI was hoping someone would say this.
First of all, I really think your post is brilliant John. I never would have thought of this!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I identify with your new breed of rebel, I don't really consider myself that. I would call it more of using my head. And I don't think many people above us view our generation as people who are actually capable of thinking for ourselves. Do I have positive influences? Well yeah, of course! But I still have the ability to think for myself and decide whether or not I think something is right, or if I want to do it or not.
So yeah, I guess if knowing who to hang out with, using good judgement, and thinking for myself makes me a rebel, then yes, I'm a rebel!
I really love this post, John. I know for me, personally I don't feel a need to fit in with everyone else, although it is nice to be accepted. But as you said, "the one that won't break out of the house for the hell of it" is the newest kind of rebel. You're considered weird, stupid, or even stuck up if you don't drink, smoke or have sex every weekend. If not doing those things and making my own decisions makes me a rebel, then I am proud to be one.
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