Why is society so against those who are different?

Question

Why is society generally so much against people who are different in some way? If somebody is not like society thinks they should be they are pushed into changing and assimilating, becoming "normal"/average (even if that means they can't be themselves) or they end up pretty much like outcasts, "freaks" that society looks down on and would rather avoid.

Why is society so obsessed with fitting us into its little boxes of pre-defined ideas of how you should be?

I think it's sad how some people must hide their real self in order to be accepted by society. If they don't put on an act and pretend to be how society wants them to be they face rejection. Why can't society embrace variety more and accept people for who they are as long as they aren't harming anyone?

keyman_o, of course there must be some rules to prevent things from becoming chaotic. What I don't understand is why it is considered such a problem if somebody's personality is more like what you would expect of the opposite gender or if an adult enjoys playing with childish toys or if somebody chooses not to socialize much or something like this. None of those really harms anyone, but society still gives people a hard time. As a result, you must hide or avoid being yourself. If you look like a guy, you must act like one and go along with this whole gender roles thing. If you are an adult, you're not allowed to play kids games. If you don't like socializing, you better socialize anyway. Why is that?

Answer 1

Because most people like to live around their own kind. They may not admit it, but most people really feel this way.

Answer 2

I notice that even you agree in some way that social norms and practices must be followed to maintain order / discipline in the society. Why else would you have closed your question with "... as long as they aren't harming anyone"?

Therefore, even you agree that social norms must be followed to some extent. This leaves us to ponder over the degree of difference / freak behavior vis-a-vis strict adherence of social norms / practices, which vary from person-to-person and from situation-to-situation. Accordingly, where the variance in behavior is little, it is ignored; but wherever it is high, tough social measures must be taken.

Hope I have been able to satiate a bit of your curiosity!!!

Answer 3

It is sad that people cant be themselves. Society has its own standards on what a male and female should be, if you dont fit their standards they will look at you as being different. I have learned that if you dont like all of me, dont like me at all. Who cares what people think of you, because at the end its you not them.

Answer 4

people judge...all the time...and tend not to like leaving the past where it should be....like to remind you of your mistakes...x