dential landscaping's
             dysfunctions is the social context in which this issue was discussed.
             Commonly perceived as a harmless' activity, the author reminds us, through
             its history, that residential landscaping is a manifestation of society's
             tendency to conform and avoid uncertainty. Residential landscaping has
             become a norm among Americans, especially with the proliferation of gardens
             in urban areas, which are ways in which people try to compensate for the
             loss of natural resources caused by urbanization and development. Without
             these gardens and residential landscapes, non-conformists are perceived as
             not in touch' with nature. Furthermore, as Wasowski quoted from Peter
             Henderson, conformists "shame them (non-conformists) into decency." In
             effect, there occurs a "power play" within society that pressures an
             individual to conform or not to its norms (in this case, the act of
             creating a garden or residential landscape). Residential landscaping, in
             the social context, can be considered a symbol, a manifestation of people's
             need, not only to conform, but to compensate for any guilt felt because of
             the rampant use and abuse of natural resources.
             ...