Society
When is an individual justified in challenging community standard? what are valid reasons for defying social codes of behavior and/or thought?
Individuals should continually challenge community standards. It is a necessary process in regards to the natural evolution of social codes and standards. Without challenging conventional thought and behavior, society becomes sloth like in regards to innovation and improvement. America, for instance is a nation that continually challenges and defies social codes, behaviors and thoughts. In fact, the nation was founded on defying social codes of repatriation to the home country. Over the past, 220 plus years that America has existed many social codes and norms have been challenged or amended. This has allowed the country to flourish relative to its large and more established peers around the world.
In the literary piece, "Mexicans begin jogging," the conditions in and perception of minority works needed to be altered. The piece mentions factory conditions, and allure of being an American citizen. Society often resists change to its detriment. However, as the piece illustrates, minorities provide ample ambition and passion when comes to working in America. The opportunities that America provides should not be relegated to the chosen few, but to all. The piece speaks of baseball and milkshakes, both American pastimes. The piece illustrates how American attracts talent but societal norms often diminish the opportunities that minorities have in society.
To begin, the first valid reason for defying social codes is for innovation and improvement. This is particularly true in a capitalistic society such as America. Innovation provides a better...
As such, challenging social codes and thoughts provides the foundation in which innovation can occur. The most prominent example of defying social codes and thoughts pertains to slavery and its subsequent abolishment. Slaves were once seen, much like animals are today. They were used simply for economic benefit irrespective of the living conditions or work requirements. They were subject to abuse and oppression that rivals any period in human history. Defying the social norms during this period required tremendous faith, as doing so would lead to death. It took nearly a century of contentious negotiation, a brutal war, and thousands of death to eventually alter social codes of law. Even as the law was changed, social thought dominated the application of the law in regards to free African-Americans. Society overtime however has benefited tremendously from this endeavor. America now has the intellectual capital of millions of African-Americans who are now doctors, lawyers, politicians, sports stars, teachers, and civil servants. Many of America's innovations have come from the African-American population, thus benefiting society. More tax revenue as a result of improved working conditions allows America to continue to expand public education and safety. This all occurred through challenging social norms and thoughts. The justification can be seen across America in regards to prosperity and quality of life.
Women's rights are another topic in which social norms and thoughts were altered for the better. Believe it or not, it wasn't until 1920 that women were even given the right to vote. Even more alarming, was the fact that women were often excluded from certain professions and…
