Social Awkwardness

The formation of one's identity in a social environment is a problem that teenagers across the globe face. The drastic change from the sheltered niches of the elementary and middle schools, adolescents in general have difficulty in identifying social standards and merge into the established social hierarchy. The desire to not be left out of the loop, teenagers find it pertinent to purge their drawbacks and hide their insecurities. However, the degree and ease with which this process is carried out ultimately places teenagers at different levels in the social ladder. Those that cannot identify themselves with a given clique or have trouble with identifying with the prescribed interests and values, are thrust in the "social outcasts" group. The term itself "outcast" denotes that the victim had committed an act that so revolting that it calls for expulsion, or even biological disparities as evidenced by the exploitive nature of imperialist countries over the span of several centuries. So to see this term to be used to describe the exploitive nature of the conformist society towards the individual illustrates the shallow mindset of society as a whole. The issues of deindividuation and conformity are ones that many high schools and colleges grapple with, as this seemingly ignorant social behavior contradicts the very purpose of education, enlightenment. The pervasiveness and the intensity of the conformity in high schools is evidenced by the magnitude of victims that are included in bullying statistics. According to the 2009 issue of "Indicators of School Crime and Safety", nearly one-third of all students have been bullied or harassed at any one point in their lives. About 20% had been publicly humiliated, 11% had been physically injured, 4% were engaged in coercive activities, and another 4% had their personal belongings robbed or destroyed (Bullying Statistics 2009). Given the small sample size, specified population, and few measures tested, these estimates cannot be representative of social behavior of conformists, as the statistics underestimate the psychological and even physical damage inflicted upon victims. The other various dynamics that factor into society such as technological advancements and increased diversity in ethnic groups, that have usually been associated with cultural diffusion and appreciation, when taken with the statistical evidence concerning the rising number bullying statistics, provide new mediums for a more socially segregated society, as opposed to a more unified one. With internet and social networking groups came cyberbullying, with an influx in foreign immigrants and cultures, came the stereotypes and heightened racism. We begin to see that society, despite the various reform movements towards the development of a harmonious utopia, still retains some "nativist" notions on the local level, that prevents it from reaching this goal.

Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter exemplifies the negative effects of a conformist society on an individual The Scarlet Letter focuses more on the rise in individualism and realization of inner truths as opposed to the mainstream criticism of a sin. Its theme is unique in that, on the path of repentance, Hester begins to develop into the ideal character that the citizens aspire to be. In this way, Hawthorne emphasizes the importance of absolution than the magnitude of the sin itself, which is upheld through the seemingly mindless followers in society.  In this situation, Hester has to bear the burden of being criticized for her faults, however, even though the critics themselves have numerous faults and insecurities. It presents an ironic situation that exists in the Scarlet letter, as Dimmesdale, a high ranking clergyman, does not accompany Hester to the platform, in which they branded her for adultery, even though he “took it very greviously to the heart” (44) .  This scene is representative of social conformity, where social opinion, truth, and justice are shunned to comply with society’s prevailing attitudes. In which case, the victim, due to the alienation of society, is forced to contemplate on social organization, hierarchy, and certain ideals that uphold society. This idea persists in the typical high school society, where one’s alienation forces contemplation upon the social organization. The social pressures of those both in the ingroup and the outgroup, give rise to the social phenomenon known as deindividuation, for those accepted into the established cliques are forced to comply to prevailing attitudes, and those who aren’t are forced to comply with the establish hierarchy, which is exemplified by social behavior depicted in the film.