Re: coercion
Robin Harwood (HARWOOD who-is-at UConnVM.UConn.Edu)
Sat, 27 Apr 96 07:16:39 EDT
Judy, thanks for the Scollon & Scollon reference, and for your thoughts
on this topic. I've always considered it ironic that, in a society
that places such a premium on individual taste and uniqueness, the
pressure to conform to certain styles of dressing and conversing
and behaving is remarkably intense, particularly among young people.
I've sometimes wondered if this is in part a way to offset the angst
which comes with placing so much emphasis on the individual self.
With external reference points for self-definition seemingly
removed ("you can be whatever you want to be"), it's "safe"
to be "unique" only when a group can be unique "together"!
Robin