Sigh. Today was quite boring. I had to write an essay for my tutor...

Here is the question in mind..

On the one hand, it is important for people to have their own ideas and express themselves freely and independently. On the other hand, people also desire to belong to a group, and often receive their identities and ideas from belonging to a certain school, team, town, country, or other group. In your opinion, are people more characterized by the ideas think up on their own, or the ideas they get from belonging to a group?"

my reply - I believe people are more defined by the ideas they get from a group. One reason is influence from peer pressure. Another reason is you’re very loyal to your group so whatever ideas your group has, you automatically feel the same way. The final reason is usually, when you’re in a group, you have similar views. Then you really are defined by the ideas from your group. Peer pressure is hard. When you are in a group and you’re the only one that feels the way you do, you don’t want to be embarrassed so you don’t state your opinion(s). Although you might have a great idea, peer pressure takes over. After that happens many times, you just forget your own views and follow others. Although you might think that is fine if others have good ideas, what if they don’t. Then you wouldn’t be helping your group, but making it worse. I believe that makes you more defined by the ideas you get from a group. Loyalty is also a reason why people are defined by ideas from a group. Sometimes, you are too loyal. You support your group in everything. Although it might not be a great choice, you stand up for it without thinking. Then you might influence others to do the same. After some time, your group or town or whatever won’t benefit much from you. Loyalty might seem very important, but you might be too defined from your group ideas. Politicians are a great example of people who are really defined by the ideas their group makes. Democrats all feel the same way. Most of them want the same bills passed. Most of them want the same laws passed. Republicans don’t usually want the same things as Democrats. The two groups usually debate a lot against things like plans for the future. Take Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain for example. During their Presidential debate, the two were debating about whose ideas were better. Senator Barack Obama represented the Democrat’s views and feelings. Senator John McCain represented the Republican’s views and feelings. When you are in a group, usually you will all have similar views one time or another. If you didn’t, why would you be in that group anyways? People are definitely more defined by the ideas they get from a group. That’s not necessarily good, but it might be. People are definitely more defined by the ideas they get from a group. That’s not necessarily good, but it might be. At the same time, people have their own views or ideas. Sometimes, the boundary is not as clear as we hope. That’s why it’s become important to listen carefully to what people are saying. Every so often, you may want to have your own idea in your group so your ideas could become a group idea. What do you think?

-Michelle<33

Labels: essay