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Rebellion vs Conformity

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Submitted By ameliayus
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Rebellion or Conformity? These two words both totally opposites, one meaning to obey or agree with something and the other, open opposition toward a person or group in authority. These two choices are an evaluation throughout life, an individual is face with the conflict which he or she can adapt to, rebel against, move beyond, or conform to. People are usually labelled as a, conformist or a rebel.
A conformist usually develop the tendency to conform within small groups or/and society, from subtle unconscious influences, or direct and overt social pressure. People often confine to conform from a desire for a sense of security without the risk of social rejection from peers. Whereas a rebel, refuse to obey rules or accept ‘normal’ standards of certain behavior or looks, usually motivated by a sense of freedom by self – determination aimed to revolutionize. Nonetheless the act of conformity and being rebellious can have its bad and good effects depending on the situation.
A simple example of ‘good’ in conformity like driving on the correct side of the road to prevent confusion and accidents can be seen as a beneficial conformity. Positive conforming like this, allows one to learn and adopt appropriate behaviors required to relate and develop correctly within a society without being perceive as seclusion. There’s also ‘good’ in the act of rebellion as it can be seen in history during the Third Servile War (1098-71 BC), when Spartacus along with the slaves rebelled against the cruel Roman republic. With careful plotting and only using kitchen tools as weapons, a great battle took place leading victory for the slaves but sadly Spartacus perished among the battle. People are motivated to rebel in order to escape suppression inflicted upon them, with sheer determination they thrive to change for a better life they think they deserve.
In spite of the ‘good’ sides, there’s ‘bad’ causes in conformity, one which is a scenario school kids are familiar with, being a bystander while someone is being bullied. Doing nothing appears as the easier and safest choice because no one wants to be the odd one, so shaping one’s behavior to match up with others seems acceptable. The fear of social rejection and pressures imprison individual’s values and choices which cause negative conforming obliging one to give a ‘cool’ impression to fit in society. Furthermore, another ‘bad’ example in rebellion like dishonoring parents. It stresses the relationship between the parents and their child which can have a negative outcome. It’s understandable to feel parents to be annoying, over-protective or harsh at times but it isn’t necessary to defy or question their authority. Parents are the head of the family and even God pacifically placed them above you to provide, care, guide and love you unconditionally. Rebellion without a cause nurtures stubborn behavior, which can be uncontrollable and result in bad consequences.
In the end, the act of conforming and rebelling can be seen as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in different situations, It’s up to one’s individual choice to either obey or defy towards something or someone in our everyday life. Sometimes we, humans don’t make the right choices in those circumstances because of the broken society we live in and our sinful nature. It’s always going to be a challenging choice to make, to conform or rebel for the right cause.

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