Scarlet Letter

Societies are usually about norms, and they have established many expectations for their individuals. For example, the "average" family should have two children, specifally, one boy,one girl. Women are expected to wear skirts and men trousers. Society has influenced many factors in our lives, from the way we behave in public to the way we make a living; laws are set and people are put in prison if they don't follow them.

Citizens are expected to behave as kind, caring, and respectful people in public. We are also supposed to conduct ourselves in a responsible manner. Excessive public displays of affection, shouting, and cursing are some of the behaviors that are not acceptable in our community. As an example how these rules are implemented by society, there are specific guidelines at the mall that prohibit these behaviors. Basically, what society tells us is that if you wouldn't see it in a G-Rated movie, you shouldn't see it in the mall, or any other public space.

Speaking of rules, one is expected to abide by the laws and to act with decorum towards others. However, the public tend to judge people without getting to know them. Whether it is race, religion, or political views, no matter what one does, one will either be judged in a positive or negative manner, and he/she will be treated accordingly. If one does not conform, members will treat the individual in a different way. We can use Henry David Thoreau as an illustration. Thoreau did not follow the crowd, resulting in him being gossiped. Another instance is the uniform policy in Springfield Public Schools. Before the policy was in effect, children were either liked or bullied for their appearance. Most kids tend to want to hang out with the group with luxury Nike shoes and Coach handbags. If an outsider wanted to be friends with the group and they did not have these items, chances are they wouldn't be accepted. In order to help change this constant bullying, a uniform policy was administered so that instead of being judged on their parent's income, they would be judged for their personality. If someone wanted to get a job at Bank of America, and they appeared in old blue jeans and a shirt splattered with stains, they wouldn't get the job! In most job scenarios, if you don't look a certain way, you will not get the job.

People tend to not get low paying jobs they enjoy due to social stigmas. Individuals are expected to give up on their personal aspirations and choose a job that reaps the most wealth. As a model, certain professions such as law, medical, and business are respected. If one chooses to follow their heart and become a dancer, or major in theater or art, society thinks that this idea is absurd and they do not agree on this non-ideal prospect of personal enjoyment.

The advantages of conforming to society's expectations are evident. One will be accepted and more likely to be accepted than nonconformists.