The Issue of Conformity in The United States

In the United States, conformity has been a topic of serious debate, casual conversation, or even comic relief. Its prevalence in our country is like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae: unnecessary for the taste, but it is how we picture the classic for it has been around for so long. George F. Kenman’s most compelling observation is the one he holds on how conformity policies our own personal behavior. For the United States it holds true to the extent that Americans have placed the responsibility of obeying extraordinary rules of conformity, however not in the respects that we have restrained ourselves.

Conformity in the United States has led to the growing uprising to resist conformity. Instead of conformity restraining us it has given us the opportunity to rise above it with creativity and power. if we as humans are never taught what the rules and guidelines are for society, how will we break them? Conformity in America in electronic companies have become guidelines for types of appliances. But despite these guidelines, inventors and engineers have defied these rules and revealed inventions that were thought to be impossible. Some Americans, however, do not rise to the challenge to resis and are beaten up by social conformity. In Fahrenheit 451, a book that holds society to burn books as a norm, many of the citizens live the life without questioning the authority or question society. They simply do as they are told. But because of these people a select few notice their dull surroundings and rebel.They determine their own meaning in life and redefine the guidelines set by society. There is delicate balance between the rebels and the norm. Both are necessary for the growth of America. The responsibility of obedience is given to all, and with it is the opportunity to freely manipulate the standards.

Americans have not worried about whether or not someone will choose to break through social conformity, because it is the ideals and foundation on America to express yourself and test the authority of those “above” you. We are all common with the irresistable urge to touch the stovetop. But this urge only came as soon as someone uttered the words, “Do not.” Our innate desire for curiosity only comes if there is a mystery. Freedom to express ourselves has always been a decision that grows just as much as conformity.

Rather than limiting us, conformity has provided the United States with an opportunity for growth that many have chosen. The responsibility of deciding to obey social standards is upon our shoulders, but our answer can always be “No.”