Breaking the Mold: Understanding Behavior that Defies Cultural Expectations
People around the globe are expected to follow cultural norms and traditions. Following social norms means conforming to the set of customs, beliefs, and social expectations that are upheld by a society. However, there are times when a segment of people doesn’t adhere to cultural expectations and act in ways that go against the norms. Such acts of defiance are prevalent across diverse cultures, but what causes this behavior?
There are several reasons for defying norms. The most common one is that they feel that the current custom is not suitable or doesn’t match their own beliefs. For instance, in the US, many young adults are increasingly rebelling against the traditional gender roles assigned to them. In another case, certain individuals may rebel against cultural expectations due to peer pressure, such as taking part in illegal activities.
Notably, defiance of norms can also be the result of mental health issues. For example, in some cultures, men are expected to hide their emotions making expressiveness a new norm-breaker trait. However, some men find it difficult to keep their feelings bottled up and may act impulsively, which can go against the cultural expectations of the society they live in.
Moreover, immigrants and minorities, on the one hand, are more susceptible to defying norms when they need to integrate into a new culture. They may feel the need to keep their norms but end up assimilating with the culture they find themselves in. Ultimately, this psychological and emotional tension may push some to rebelling and going against those norms.
While the reasons for defying cultural expectations vary, the consequences remain similar. Consequences include social isolation, shaming, and ostracism for the individuals who drift from the norm. However, going against the cultural expectations can also lead to positive change. It can change the society’s perception of the issues at hand and can lead to societal changes over time.
Overall, people’s rejection of cultural expectations is rarely due to defiance alone. In most cases, deviations from the norm are the result of a more profound clash between individual values, ideas, and societal beliefs. Understanding this phenomenon will help societies become accepting of people who may want to break cultural expectations. Everyone deserves a chance to create a society where they feel happy and fulfilled, and this is why we must embrace change and diversification.
