A Matter of Perspective Pt. 1: Conformism and Anti-conformism
Finally, we're actually getting started on this series.
So first up is conformism vs. anti-conformism. I actually had a bit of a debate with one of my peers this week on the difference between anti-conformism and nonconformism.
First, let's set up some definitions.
According to my dictionary, this is the definition of conform:
1 to make similar 2 to bring into agreement 3 to act in accordance with accepted rules, customs, etc.
Thus, conformism is the belief in conforming to these accepted rules, customs, etc.
This is the definition of anti-conformism:
1 denoting behaviors and actions undertaken by a human being for the purpose of inducing shock or spiting society 2 rejecting adherence to the societal status quo
Then, an anti-conformist is someone who doesn't conform to the accepted rules, customs, etc. of society. They are often considered to be individualists. More often than not, they're considered rebels.
Often, the term "anti-conformist" gets confused with the term "nonconformist", which originated in 1662 to refer to Protestant Christians who did not comply with the governing Church of England. Nowadays, the term "nonconformist" is often wrongly used in place of "anti-conformist".
Now that we've set up these definitions, how does conformism and anti-conformism play into conflict? Surely the answer may be a bit obvious. However, for the sake of this post, I'll go into details and situations.
When you have people who believe two totally different things, of course conflict is going to arise. In this case, you're dealing with both ends of an extremely broad spectrum. Now, it's not to say that conformists and anti-conformists can't get along. I get along fine with people who conform to society more than I do. It's about being flexible and respecting other people's lifestyles, even if you don't fully agree with them.
However, there's always going to be exceptions. There's going to be the extreme anti-conformists who despise conformism and there's going to be conformists who hate anti-conformism. Because of this, here is where a great deal of conflict arises. I'm going to focus on a less obvious form of conflict, though.
Say, for instance, that you are an anti-conformist and you're hanging out with some casual friends. They're discussing their plans for the weekend and they all decided to go out to party. They ask you if you want to come along. You had already made plans to stay home and catch up on a bit of reading and homework that you've been meaning to do. Besides, who would want to go out and make a fool of themselves? Partying on weekends is what society expects people to do on the weekends. You don't want to meet society's expectations of behavior. So you tell your friends that you don't want to join them on the weekend. They ask why and you come up with some half-hearted reason. They start saying things like "oh you're just antisocial!" or "you're such a recluse!". Maybe you are, but you mainly just don't like doing what other people do, because those things don't interest you. So you get a bit angry at them for the things they say. After all, what do they know about you?
This situation may seem completely out there, or it may not. Who's to say? Hopefully, it just illustrated what was most likely to be the obvious difference in perspectives of conformists and anti-conformists.
Stay tuned for part two of this series next month!
Until next time, lovelies!
So first up is conformism vs. anti-conformism. I actually had a bit of a debate with one of my peers this week on the difference between anti-conformism and nonconformism.
First, let's set up some definitions.
According to my dictionary, this is the definition of conform:
1 to make similar 2 to bring into agreement 3 to act in accordance with accepted rules, customs, etc.
Thus, conformism is the belief in conforming to these accepted rules, customs, etc.
This is the definition of anti-conformism:
1 denoting behaviors and actions undertaken by a human being for the purpose of inducing shock or spiting society 2 rejecting adherence to the societal status quo
Then, an anti-conformist is someone who doesn't conform to the accepted rules, customs, etc. of society. They are often considered to be individualists. More often than not, they're considered rebels.
Often, the term "anti-conformist" gets confused with the term "nonconformist", which originated in 1662 to refer to Protestant Christians who did not comply with the governing Church of England. Nowadays, the term "nonconformist" is often wrongly used in place of "anti-conformist".
Now that we've set up these definitions, how does conformism and anti-conformism play into conflict? Surely the answer may be a bit obvious. However, for the sake of this post, I'll go into details and situations.
When you have people who believe two totally different things, of course conflict is going to arise. In this case, you're dealing with both ends of an extremely broad spectrum. Now, it's not to say that conformists and anti-conformists can't get along. I get along fine with people who conform to society more than I do. It's about being flexible and respecting other people's lifestyles, even if you don't fully agree with them.
However, there's always going to be exceptions. There's going to be the extreme anti-conformists who despise conformism and there's going to be conformists who hate anti-conformism. Because of this, here is where a great deal of conflict arises. I'm going to focus on a less obvious form of conflict, though.
Say, for instance, that you are an anti-conformist and you're hanging out with some casual friends. They're discussing their plans for the weekend and they all decided to go out to party. They ask you if you want to come along. You had already made plans to stay home and catch up on a bit of reading and homework that you've been meaning to do. Besides, who would want to go out and make a fool of themselves? Partying on weekends is what society expects people to do on the weekends. You don't want to meet society's expectations of behavior. So you tell your friends that you don't want to join them on the weekend. They ask why and you come up with some half-hearted reason. They start saying things like "oh you're just antisocial!" or "you're such a recluse!". Maybe you are, but you mainly just don't like doing what other people do, because those things don't interest you. So you get a bit angry at them for the things they say. After all, what do they know about you?
This situation may seem completely out there, or it may not. Who's to say? Hopefully, it just illustrated what was most likely to be the obvious difference in perspectives of conformists and anti-conformists.
Stay tuned for part two of this series next month!
Until next time, lovelies!
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