What is Conformity - Essay Example

In this regard, it is a contract that residents sign before they move in and is a kind of reprimand in the case of non-compliance (Johnson, 554, 1960). Then there are other cases when conformity is covert, for instance, in family gatherings, many girls wear conservative clothes because there is an unspoken contempt for revealing dresses in older members of the family. Concealed or unconcealed, the study of conformity raises an important question of desirability. Not always is conformity desirable.

It kills creativity and creates a monotony, which deprives the society or the group of the very base of its existence: diversity. On the other hand, it is something that is essentially important for existence. With no general sense of compliance to norms, the rate of deviance goes high leading to the prevalence of unhealthy habits and acts. Now, where is conformity desirable? Let us look at two different examples from a different context. Consider a conservative Muslim family from a developing country.

The parents are old and their children are in their late teens. Their daughter goes to the US to study a program for one year and is under fascination by the Western culture. Now when she returns, she is a free-spirited soul who has recently explored so much about the world and considers herself liberal.At a family dinner at her grandmother’s place where the whole family is gathered to celebrate her homecoming, she walks in with skimpy jeans, sleeveless top, and heavy makeup; completely unacceptable but no one says a word.

She meets everyone and notices her aunts exchanging glances and her mother becoming uncomfortable. What this girl here does not do is confirm. Conformity to values and traditions are thus desirable when one talks about the traditions and values of the society. Let the paper include another example. Consider a graduate finds a job in a firm, which is struggling to stay competitive in its field. Now this man, young and carefree that he is, believes in his way of doing things: last minute. He would chat, eat, socialize, and waste time most of the day but when he works, he delivers.

His habit of procrastination bothers other people who see him wasting his time and still getting recognition by the boss. Now other employees start procrastinating too and not all of them are efficient so the company faces loss. In such cases, conformity to the culture of the firm is highly desirable because one is setting an example for others to follow.