What is an "Outsider"? Is it a good or bad thing to be called? Who is an "outsider" in today's socitety

Question

u can think about S.E. Hintons novel as well as experiances from your own life

Answer 1

it can be both "good" and "bad" ....Consider that one can be an 'outsider' in some ways /areas of life and an "insider" in others.
Looking from the outside in may give one a unique perspective on situations - yet people might not care, respect or hear that perspective in one doesn't know how to share it, or doesn't have recognized credibility. We lose out from not hearing these views... A "whistleblower" is a particular type of outsider- calling atttention to a problem, a misdeed or danger from within an organization or group - that others in the group ignore or deny- they are outsiders and insiders....

When your view is not shared by others for whatever reason , one can shunned and /or marginalized, with your status or power diminished. So it's important to have friends within and outside from , for instance, work and school.

This is a social and cultural dynamic. It underlines the importance of higher education - as well as the problems associated with it- for this is how many people are considered credible commmentators or authorities. It provides a clear cut path to having one's view - at least- communicated and documented for future generations.

Statistics show that those with the most education are higher wage earners. Yet the education often received is lacking in areas, and as many say , the most important lessons learned are outside the classroom........

Answer 2

Someone who doesn't "fit".
Everyone's definitions of not fitting are different so there is no ONE group or people or individual who doesn't fit anywhere. People do, however judge and decide who outsiders by looking at many aspects of a person or group's surroundings and environments: their dress, language, food, job, etc. A person can be called an outsider by anyone for doing anything. A well-dressed and well-mannered teenager would be an outsider in a birthday party for 5-year olds; but an intelligent, well-mannered 5-year old would also be an outsider in a middle school.
A group of Scots might be considered outsiders to a congregation of Londoners because of the different accents.
It's all a matter of opinion.

Answer 3

An outsider, I think, is someone outside the "norm." This can be a negative situation if he or she is forced out of the inner circle or community. On the other hand, this can be very positive, an act of courage really, if he or she chooses to be an outsider bec. he or she refuses to try to fit in with people whose values are questionable or just plain wrong.

Answer 4

It depends where you are standing and what you want. If you want to be an insider and they call you an outsider, you won't like it because it is not what you want, and vice versa. I prefer to be an outsider. I get a good perspective that way and I am not easily swayed into going along with any "crowd." When I see something that disturbs me, I speak up, which usually does not make me popular and does not lend itself to being an insider, since people on the inside try to get along with the popular opinion.