Individuality and conformity

Individuality and conformity, these are conflicting values. The question is, how much individualism is good and how much conformity is good? Mass produced items tend to show conformity in our culture in spite of the fact that individual freedom of choice is highly valued in our society. The essay “Slaves of Fashion” shows that people want to be a part of this group of fitting in and there is a subconscious battle of being the best and showing we are elite.  In our culture items could show individuality, but we are often conformist because group identity shows as most important.

All people really need are utensils, clothing, tools, space for living, space for religious expression, and space for social interaction. So why do we feel like we have to “keep up with the Jones”? Why do we conform to fit this social status even when we don’t always have the financial means to do so? All people, regardless of culture, have a need for individual identity and for group identity. Some cultures stress individuality more and others stress group identity more. These identity values are expressed symbolically in the design of utensils, clothing, houses, places of worship, and public spaces. We know that meeting human needs consumes resources, but we also value caring for resources. In the essay “Women Shopping and Women Sweat Shopping” how much do we value these mass produced items if the people making them suffer because of the high demand needed to be produced? When we are trying so hard to have our own identities but still do not pay attention to the ethics behind the items being produced, are we still conforming to the same ethical behaviors as others. It is difficult to always consider where and how certain items were made and the people making them, but by not ever having a moral compass is allowing this to continue. I personal try to buy flax leather or fur and try to shop at stores that do not condone sweatshops and produce items ethically.

As members of the human race it is our privilege and obligation to do what we can to improve the conditions in which people live.  The arguments and the differences of opinions come when we start to make consumer selections to meet these needs. As soon as we do something or make something to fulfill our basic needs we are saying something about our values and our beliefs. What are the values related to our basic needs that are played out in our everyday decisions? When we discuss values we find a continuum of opinions and arguments. But should the arguments be between individuality and conformity or with our culture and these companies producing these items?