Do you ever feel obligated to follow what your friends act or do? Nowadays, conformity has taken over society.

Conformity means to follow certain rules, laws, and standards. Peer pressure is closely related to the idea of conformity. Children are born into a world where they have the urge to conform. This is presented on television, social media, and at school.

Tessa Lorenzo, a freshmen at Franklin High School, believes “when many people get into your head about a certain thing and your beliefs are different, it makes you feel like an outsider.” Lorenzo believes social media is the main source of conformity and peer pressure.

Lorenzo also believes that peer pressure online is indirect. She sees what people think around her think is pretty or cool, and it makes her feel pressured to change.

Fellow Freshmen Elise Ravech, has similar experiences with peer pressure and conformity.  Ravech feels as though you are pressured to fit into society. She believes that people have to wear main brand clothing in order to fit in, like American Eagle, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, etc.

However, Ravech is aware that conformity is not a good thing.

She believes: “Everyone should be able to be who they want to be and be happy with their lives.” People should be able to express themselves in a way that they choose, a way that makes them happy.

Unfortunately, this may follow through our future. Lorenzo believes that if someone is taught a certain thing they will teach others and it will be a chain reaction of peer pressure and conformity.

On the other hand, Ravech believes that if parents teach their children to be who they want to be and to be comfortable in their own skin, peer pressure and conformity may come to an end.

In conclusion, peer pressure, which closely ties in with conformity, is a major problem in today’s society. It’s present in high school and middle school. People are brainwashed into thinking a certain style is the only acceptable choice in society. Rather than being yourself, people have to hide behind a facade in order to have friends and belong in a group.