Which is more important to contemporary society? The INDIVIDUAL or the GROUP? Please leave examples.?

Question

I am writing an opinion paper for English and I need some help on which side to argue for, so if you could leave your opinion and some examples throughout history that realate to contemporary society and how it is structured.

Answer 1

I would say "the individual" because there is so little group loyalty in our culture. In most cultures, "the family" is the most close-knit group but in our own culture the only really strong bond is mother and dependent child. All other people leave families, e.g. divorce of couples, children fleeing home as single young adults, old people being put in old people's homes. People self-identify voluntarily with many groups, such as their spirituality, their football team, those they work with.... but all such memberships are fluid and very few last a lifetime.

Group loyalties are much more prominent in many other societies such as China or Samoa or among some (most?) of the tribes of Africa.

Answer 2

I think that in our country "the group" is given a great deal of emphasis. It is necessary in order to fuel our present economic structure and also our infrastructure. Look at changes in our educational system. Our public school system is basically indoctronating children to become "good little worker bees". Just look at the trend toward school uniforms. I would suggest reading some of Karl Marx works. I took an entire class on his theories in college and much of what he writes about deals with your question. For your paper I would recommend comparing and contrasting pioneer life and values with present day. It would make for eye opening and fascinating reading.

Answer 3

You wouldn't have a group if it weren't for individuals