America, being a highly egocentric culture, emphasizes on individuality. Yet, sometimes, I question to what extent, to what degree our individuality exists. One fascinating aspect of socialization is its ability to permeate and mold us into our cultural standards; motivation to succeed comes from what our culture considers to be successful, and considers to be goals. So how original are our dreams? How original is our reality? Are our thoughts on everything around us shaped by the type of society we are introduced to?
Then, I pose the question of dystopias. Popularity of the works of Huxley, Zamyatin, and Orwell transcend mostly in Western culture because we are aghast at the notion of this death of originality and free thinking. But then, how free is our thinking now?
The best way I can explain it is that in order for social values to be standard and independent of any one individual, we must all accept these terms. Yes, social influence can sometimes be difficult to combat, however, in a moment of absolute loneliness, we recenter ourselves and become analytical of outside influences.
Our freedom lies in the ability to formulate social proposition, which, if popular with others, gradually become an integrated aspect of our culture; they could be similar or contrary to the social obligations we live by now.
Today in Communications, we perused an excerpt from the May 1955 edition of Housekeeping Monthly, focusing on a little snippet called The good wife's guide. This serves as a prime example for "radically different" social standards. Of course, a change in social dogma relies heavily on not only the world of social thought, but also physical factors such as industrialization, and technological advancements, etc., but the general idea is present.
As you can guess, the uniform reaction in the classroom was not pleasant; we all nodded to the dramatic transformation of society, and we all wanted equality in the household; but is our society performing at full capacity to change this standard?
Open any page of Cosmopolitan, and we see the same standards translated into 21st century jargon. We provide a list of guidelines to please the opposite sex in sex. Well then, how much has our society changed? How respectful has it become?
This question can be answered in a college setting; I see girls become so dependent on boys, adjusting their appearance, running for second opinion, crafting perfect messages just so they can, too, be a key player in the game of infatuation and teenage angst. How ironic it is then for these same girls to be repulsed by The good wife's guide when they are checking off item-by-item what needs to be accomplished to lure in the opposite sex.
It is in the constant questioning of our beliefs and values that makes us understand ourselves, for nothing is steadfast. Simple reflection can make us realize that the society we live in may not be so unique after all; and simple reflection can make us realize that modern-day concerns are as antiquated and archaic as the existence of man.
Then again, I may be perfectly incorrect, but ,then, what is perfectly correct?
