Article November 1, 2013

Conforming to good

Originally published in the August 27, 1963 issue of The Christian Science Monitor

An apparent trait of mankind, especially of young people, is the tendency to conform to what others do and say. So often they wear the same types of clothes, use the same expressions in talking, adopt the same attitudes and moral standards. Frequently the young person conforms to the actions and practices of others because he is afraid not to. He wants to belong, to be liked. Consciously or unconsciously, he is afraid that if he is not like others, he will be shunned by his associates, left friendless.

Many of the actions involved in conformity among young people are not normally judged harmful or detrimental to character. The ever-changing fads of dress and speech are usually passing fancies without moral effect. But there are other aspects that are matters of marked concern. These include such things as the use of tobacco and alcohol because it is “the thing to do,” and the breaking of moral and civil laws through a sense of irresponsibility and disregard of right conduct.

Send a comment to the editors