Individualism

             Society emphasizes surface appearance. There is also a great deal of importance people give to winning at any cost. Today, to win, we often try to change who and what we are. As a result, people lose their sense of individualism by altering their appearance to meet the social norms of success. Individualism is the pursuit of personal happiness and independence rather than the collective goals or interests of a group. As individuals we must accept our uniqueness and abilities. Our abilities and personalities make us who we are. In "Voting Democracy Off the Island" Francine Prose examines how reality television has corrupted our individualism. In "Dr. Daedalus" Lauren Slater focuses on how easily it is to change our physical appearance through plastic surgery. The reason why people get plastic surgery often is because of social pressure. Social pressure puts a strain on the ethics of an individual. Whether getting surgery to look better or winning at any cost on a reality TV program, people change themselves. The social norms for a successful person break down the ethics of individualism. You should do things that make you feel good, not because someone thinks your appearance or attitude is unacceptable.
             Surface appearance is heavily emphasized in society. The things that help set
             the social norms are television shows. The social norms are the standards set by society. The way they do this is by flashing beautiful people all around the screen and between the pages. The people on the show are successful. They have altered their appearance for success. They practically tell you that you need to be beautiful anything else is unacceptable. "Had Melena had watched more reality-based TV, she would have learned that surface beauty is all that counts." (Prose 262) Prose points out that reality TV tells you that beauty is all that counts. On the show The Bachelor every person on that show is very beautif
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Individualism. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 20:27, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/6297.html