Social expectations are an integral part of society that have been passed down from generation to generation. They play a significant role in shaping how individuals perceive themselves and others around them.
Society expects youth to conform to certain rules and norms such as dress codes, language, behavior, and attitude. These expectations can be so strong that they force individuals to suppress their true identities. This practice is known as identity suppression. Identity suppression refers to when an individual adopts another person's or group's values and behaviors instead of expressing their authentic selves. It is a common phenomenon among young people who feel pressure to fit into social groups and be accepted by their peers. The consequences of this suppression are varied; however, it often leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and loneliness.
Identity suppression is prevalent among teenagers and young adults due to peer pressure and societal expectations. Peers influence one's decisions, thoughts, and actions, making it challenging for a young person to resist societal norms. Young people want to belong to a particular clique, which means conforming to its standards, including appearance, attitudes, and behavior. Conformity pressures may also stem from family expectations where parents may try to control their children's choices and activities. Parents may not understand their children and insist on adherence to strict cultural norms despite the child's different preferences. As a result, young people may end up repressing their unique identities because it would offend other people's sensibilities.
When young people suppress their true identities, they struggle with self-confidence, anxiety, and depression. They begin to question themselves, leading to insecurities that affect how they interact with others. Self-doubt can prevent them from participating in extracurricular activities or achieving their goals. Identity suppression can lead to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy when an individual begins to doubt their authentic identity. This can manifest in a lack of assertiveness, increased stress levels, loss of motivation, and difficulty expressing themselves. It might even impact academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and employment opportunities.
Social media has made identity suppression more common as youth strive to be popular and accepted by others online. Social networks have become vital platforms for young people to express themselves creatively and connect with peers worldwide.
Some platforms place a lot of emphasis on how users look, dress, speak, behave, and act, forcing many to conform to what is trending.
Instagram promotes a particular body type and appearance standard that most users feel compelled to adopt. Young women are pressured to portray themselves as sexy and desirable through pictures, while men must display masculinity traits such as strength, dominance, and aggression. These expectations push individuals into behaviors that compromise their real selves.
Social conformity can also cause mental health problems among the youth. Studies show that those who suppress their identities exhibit higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts than nonconformists. They may develop eating disorders, substance abuse issues, and low self-esteem due to pressure to fit into societal standards. Some experience gender dysphoria, whereby they feel uncomfortable with their biological sex or identify as another gender. Others struggle with sexual orientation and preferences, which do not align with societal norms. Conformity can lead to emotional and physical distress when an individual is forced to hide their true selves, causing them to engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
Identity suppression leads to poor decision making, increased risk-taking behavior, and isolationism. Young people who suppress their authentic identities tend to be less open-minded about new ideas and opportunities because they fear being judged for expressing different beliefs or opinions. They might miss out on life's essential experiences since they are too busy trying to meet social expectations. It also affects relationships; young people often become overly dependent on others' validation rather than developing a sense of identity independent of what society thinks. In extreme cases, this can result in domestic violence, abusive relationships, and other harmful behaviors.
To prevent identity suppression, parents should promote empathy, acceptance, and diversity at home. Parents can encourage children to explore their interests and hobbies instead of forcing them into societal boxes. Schools must create safe spaces that support students' unique identities by implementing anti-bullying policies, providing counseling services, teaching positive body image, and promoting respect among peers. Social media platforms must offer more diverse content and representation to avoid normalizing negative stereotypes and body standards. Youth groups should provide activities that help youth discover themselves without conforming to societal norms, allowing for creative expression, and personal growth.
Young people need to learn self-acceptance and embrace their differences rather than suppressing them. They should understand the
How do social expectations of conformity pressure young people into suppressing authentic identity expression?
Social expectations of conformity can put pressure on young people to suppress their authentic identity expressions by making them feel like they need to fit in with certain norms and standards set by society. This pressure can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem if young people don't feel accepted for who they are.