The Influence of Conformity

Gihan Hassan

The scary thing about conformity is that it's unintentional. You’re unconsciously picking up cues from your surroundings which slowly begin to penetrate your beliefs and actions. Conformity isn't necessarily good or bad, it can guide us to develop good habits and abandon bad ones or it could have dangerous consequences that can harm your courage, steadfastness and identity. 

We tend to become subjects to conformity in new or unfamiliar settings, unconsciously looking towards those around us to give us cues on what is acceptable and the ‘norm’. Often, it's an unconscious influence, because so many people are doing it. It's scary how our sense of self is clouded so very quickly, consequently changing our behaviour in order to feel acceptable and escape becoming a ‘weirdo’ or an outlier. 

It is inevitable that during the course of our lives we’ll taste the sweetness of independence and start to make decisions, be responsible for ourselves and you will find yourself tangled up in the influence of those you've subscribed to. You will become your own individual, and with every action you make, the consequences will be there, either elevating or harming you. There is no growth without accountability so in times when you find yourself conflicted between your values and morals, always draw yourself back to the origins of your identity, the ways of our religion, the teachings of the Qur’an, and the practices of our Prophet peace be upon him. 

Arguably, we can’t fight the natural tendency that is to want to be accepted by those that matter to us. It could be those we follow, those we hang around and those we look up to. If it's compromising your values, your beliefs and your faith, it is not worth it. If it compromises you, it's not worth it. 

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Gihan Hassan, Contributer

Gihan Hassan is a podiatry student who enjoys reading and learning new things. She has a passion for literature and history as it presents opportunities to step back and understand the world we live in. Reading is her go-to pass time where books surround the tables and floors of her room.