Why Do Catholic Schools Be Threatened By The Need For Conformity?

Americans today tend to believe that being an individual is the typical entity for any civilian living. My whole life I have heard it said that being yourself will have a big impact on my life as I grow older. In that case it has been a been a massive part of my life; however, I have got sucked into the conformity society at times myself. Although I have improved, I cannot help thinking that people in society are also getting sucked in conformity. While they rarely admit as much, people often tell themselves that they do not follow others and claim they are original.

Many individuals is faced with the decision of conforming or choosing personal desire, and it is not an easy decision. It is hard because being shunned by others for being different is not a good feeling. Choosing to conform over personal desire, often leads to loss. On the other hand, personal desire is what sets others apart and gives them joy. In the poem, “The Jackhammer Syndrome”, Al Purdy discusses the good and bad memories he has experienced. He goes through his memories of when he had fun and made mistakes, but he reflects on what he could have done better. The author of “The Jackhammer Syndrome informs against choosing the welcoming joy of conformity over the long-term gains of personal desire. Making the decision to pursue conformity over personal desire may seem easy at first, but if the choice is to conform, the joy it gives will not last. Making the decision to pursue conformity over personal desire Conformity may seem to give joy at first, but it does not last. When Al is playing pool with his brother, he wants to win badly, but losses. However when he did not care to win, Al wins! Conforming can lead to loss but personal desire has much to gain. If the choice is to conform, personal identity may be lost. In my life, I recognize several instances in which I found several similarities between Al and myself. I have made decisions that were not always good ones such as swimming across long distances with friends.

Conformity is a concept that has been heavily researched in the field of social psychology. Conformity is defined as a change in behavior, beliefs, and attitudes due to group pressure perceived as real (encompassing the presence of others) or imagined (encompassing the pressure of social standards) (Myers, 2010, p. 192). The concept of conformity is a powerful influence on the tendency for people to arrange their thoughts, perspectives, and ideas with others, especially when in a group. This takes away from a person’s individuality because they want to feel accepted by others and therefore, a person will accomplish this basic need of approval through conforming.

As readers, we see how the analysis of conflictive themes has been taking over literature scenarios. When reading between the lines of certain books we can perceive themes such as conformity and rebellion. Mostly these themes can be seen in writings from times of social upheaval. According to The Oxford Dictionary, the word conformity means “behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards”, while rebellion means “the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention.” These terms create a constant battle among societies. A certain amount of conformity needs to exist in life in order to avoid disorder. This is the reason society has laws, rules and expectations. Literature represents life, and these themes can be found at the root of many literary works. Conformity can also be considered as silence. This silence is based on the restrictions of real feelings and thoughts in some literary pieces. During the sixteenth century, the emphasis on conformity was at its height. Works of literature from this time period have often reflected a fascination and frustration with this particular characteristic. People do not want to be restricted in terms of expressing opinions and developing certain activities. When facing oppression, denial of their freedom, they rebel, and that contributes to the part of the process of change in society. Not all kinds of rebellions are rationally fundamental, but when they are, it can transform society for the

“Group conformity scares the pants off me because it’s so often a prelude to cruelty towards anyone who doesn’t want to-or can’t-join the Big Parade.” The style of text I have chosen to focus on is individuality, as I believe that uniqueness of an individual is essential for freedom. Through analysing the texts Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Equilibrium by Kurt Wimmer, Blind Faith by Ben Elton, The Machine Stops by E.M. Foster and I Always do what Teddy Says by Harry Harrison. I have noticed that societies are being controlled through the idea of conflicts and religious symbolism and conformity, which are prominent in all the societies. The intent to trigger us of the dystopias that could arise in our world today is prominent. I have also

In 1995, the Clinton administration attempted to put an end to the confusion surrounding the practice of religion in public schools. As directed by the President, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley sent out guidelines on Religious Expression in Public Schools to every school district in the country. Since issuing these guidelines, students, teachers, parents, and school officials have found it easier to compromise on these issues. By spelling out exactly what religious activities are permitted in schools, the possibility for a lawsuit is diminished because everyone has a common understanding of what is and what is not constitutionally permissible (Riley, 2000). The guidelines are derived from the First Amendment. As a whole, they declare that schools cannot forbid students to individually express their religious views or beliefs. At the same time, schools cannot endorse religious activity, such as school-led prayer. (Riley, 2000).

When we look back at a certain time or memory we can see our mistakes, but when you are currently in the situation things aren't so obvious. However, though if we think about things before we advance many problems can be avoided. This image by Tommy Ingberg, titled Army shows the effect conformity has on people, and how it makes us blind to everything around us since we are after being like everyone

A final conclusion that the previous researchers failed to address is that conformity is a social construct and cross cultural differences should be addressed when speaking on conformity. Se Hyung Ho (Konkuk University) performed a study testing how the cultural norms of an individual affect their tendency to conform to the group. Ho performed a study that included American men and women and Indian men and women, for his study Ho provided each subject a questionnaire containing situations that would either promote or discourage conformity. Ho gave one sample, of both American and Indian men and women, a questionnaire that provided a persuasive argument for each situation while the other sample received a questionnaire without a persuasive

I always felt like I had to be like everyone else. That I would be shamed for being who I was. Being a teen is a really scary stage of our life's. We don't know what to expect but to be like everyone else. Scared to be yourself because of what others might think. People who stand out, the ones who are different, and look strange seem to get picked on like they were asking for it to happen. In my opinion conformity truly destroys our individuality. We can't be who we are without someone looking at us like we're odd.

Administrators encourage students to practice these teachings, not only in school, but in the community and at home. While being provided with enjoyable teachings and learning about their religion, and furnished with the proper information and tools, students are able to do high level of academic achievement. An article listed in Newsweek, written by Joe Klein, has great examples of the roles of Parochial schools in America. The role of religious teaching: In the article, a teacher who works at St. Elizabeth’s (A Parochial School) whose name is Lynda Alexander, obviously being interviewed, stated, “The first is that education is a spiritual mission (Parochial, 2)”. The role of religious practice: The principle of St. Elizabeth, Jeannette Terry, stated, “There are strict rules here—no drugs, no gangs—and a genuine atmosphere of mutual respect (perhaps one child a year is expelled, Terry estimates; studies have shown the parochial schools have lower expulsion rates than public schools). The classrooms are quiet, orderly; the students enthusiastic (Parochial, 2)”. The role of providing an essential education: Parochial Schools believe that each child can

“ Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth” was a quote stated by John F. Kennedy, expressing the way we have come to hold ourselves captive underneath a society that revolves around prejudice and the automatic mindset of conforming. People living in this time period are oblivious to the changes that they are enforcing on their own, having them fit this flawless portrayal that every person desires to meet. Although it takes time to realize, conforming to society has the world entirely consumed and yearning for more in which is never viewed as a halt to growth. Satisfaction, although a state of mind is a temporary one that never seems to loosen its grip on our way of thinking and actions to best fit the “norm” that is allowed and confided into. Though it is felt that after reaching full potential in everyone else’s eyes, the need to necessitate will disappear, however, our society evolves, keeping youth from being their own human beings, having limits in growth of maturity and individualism as well as having others consumed to the point where stress is inevitable for one’s sake.

In 1932, Jenness became the first psychologist to study conformity, which involved an experiment with basic materials and little ethical treatment (Jenness). The participants were asked to examine a jar of beans. They were then told to make an estimate of how many beans were inside of the jar. The participants were not informed of intentions of the study, thus full consent was invalid. When they were exposed to the estimates of other participants before making an individual guess, most participants’ estimations differed from the norm, and a shift occurred from the first estimates to the cluster of numbers within the pool of peer responses. This result led Jenness to form the idea of informational conformity,

Based on the religious scenario given in class, the principal is a mid-year hire in a high school situated in what appears to be a predominantly Christian, conservative community. Several facts have come to light regarding equal access and religious activities and actions occurring in the school. First the principal observed the English teacher, Mr. Wrighteous, prominently displaying the Bible on his desk. The teacher also incorporated and promoted religious teachings in a class lesson. He offered a Bible as a reward for good work. This same teacher leads a weekly Bible study and prayer group at school. Another issue has been brought to the principal’s attention, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has inquired about other religious

The new consensus is call “civic public school” and it is the result of a battle that started 1980 and 1990 to enable schools and communities to find a common ground about the two extremes of teaching religion in schools. One of the extremes was the ones advocating for religion in school. This spectrum was call “sacred public schools”. In this spectrum religion was force to teach to students. This model is unconstitutional and favored most Protestant Christian, leaving behind other religions and groups. The second model was based on pushing religion complete out of the public schools. This model was call “naked public schools. In this model base on the First Amendment religion was put out in teaching. This “naked public schools” was based in

Since 1850, the aim has been to provide a place in a Catholic school for every Catholic child. For many reasons, places in Catholic schools are in high demand not just from practising Catholics but also from other faiths. Catholic schools provide academic, physical, spiritual, moral and religious education for pupils through the teachings of the Church. Catholic schools place Christ, and his teachings are the centre of the daily life of the school (McMahon, 2012). So why is it that the Catholic Church put Catholic Schools at the heart of its mission? While there are many reasons, the first is to make Christ know to everyone. The Church acknowledges parents are the principal educators of their child(ren) and therefore provide support for