To what extent does society shape how individuals behave and what they can or will become?

Answer 1

When a person is young, their society and its values have an inevitable, significant influence on the child's actions, thinking patterns, and behaviors simply because the child is too young to create different ways. Children are very observant and easily influenced by others, that's why people who have a career that deal with children must be chosen carefully.

I want to bring up a very good point that one of my favorite teachers taught in class once: If you grow up with something, and never know about something else, you won't be bothered by that thing -- whether others view it as positive or negative. So, applying this, it can be assumed that imagination is limited to what a person is exposed to from their environment and society. Everything that you're able to think of comes from something you gained through one of your senses, which connect you to the world, in simplest terms.

This relates because your society is a huge part of your environement, and people often adopt the values their society has to their own personal lives. However, if a person has a strong enough belief that these values/habits are wrong, he/she can change. Ultimately, once a person gains awareness of this fact (as my 8th grade writing teacher drilled into my head as a strong belief): "Everyone is responsibile for their own actions." You can break free of what the society is, if you want it enough. And anyone can do it, really, all you have to really do is find the strenghth within you, that you already have, to "just do it."

Answer 2

First of all society(in this context) is basically an agreed upon delusion. It doesn't really exist. There is no real difference between a president and a homeless person. They're people. So it comes down to how much the individual buys into the lie.
For those who don't understand this it's easy to get caught up in the materialism and quasi caste structure of our culture. Sometimes greed blinds them and they will do anything for money, but it never makes them happy really. They only feel better because they feel superior. But it's just a feeling. And when they lose everything they're on a building ledge because the delusion came crashing down. An unfufilled life really.

Answer 3

I believe we have the power to make our own decisions, but society influences us greatly... For instance, Kate Chopin wrote "Story of an Hour", a great short story about the oppression of women. She was ostracized so much by society that she stopped writing basically. Society affected what she did with her life. She could have chosen to keep writing because it's what she loved, but she let society make the decision for her.
We all have the power to choose wether we go with or against society, it just wether we have the will to use that power.

Answer 4

society won;t shape you in negative way if you don't let it, trust in yourself and positive thinking.be good to others and it will come back 10 fold.you can shape yourself to what ever you want to become . environment is a biggy when it comes to shaping individuals so if you do;nt like what you here or see leave that's the wonderful thing about humans were very adaptable! you have a good day my friend....PS{if you ain't got god you ain't got noth;in}

Answer 5

Compare the lives of women that live in USA to those living in the Middle East and to me that explains what affect society has on individual lives.

Answer 6

in the study of Sociology, society creates a culture and class system that regulates the economic lives of many of its citizens, leaving much less to personal effort than may be first realized. the norms and values associated with certain cultures are instilled from birth and control our destiny to a great degree. or, you can take salem out of the country, but, you can't take the country out of salem.

Answer 7

society is horrible realy its just a bunch of useless unwritten laws society effects what we buy what we do what we anything but its time to say fluk you to society and be your own person if everybody did that then the world wouldnt look down on anybody else

Answer 8

It shapes you almost 100% Its upto us to sit up & question everything. Society basically wants us all to act the same way ...almost robotic