Skip to main content

The top 5 pressures we face from society

If you were asked to name the biggest societal pressures we face, what would you say?

Chances are at least some of these will be make your list:

  • The pressure to get married 
  • The pressure to have children
  • The pressure to be thin
  • The pressure to pursue only those careers that pay tons of money 
  • The pressure to have a nice car, house, and other valuables
There are many more pressures we face, of course, but I think the five above are the biggies, thanks in large part to Hollywood, advertising, and the media.

Many people would say that the first three concern mostly women, while the latter two predominantly affect men. I'd argue, however, that people are pressured into doing all of these things irrespective of their gender. 

It appears the tide is beginning to turn, though.

For one, a few of my acquaintances have kids, but they've assured me that they don't want to get married. Others have confided that they're childfree by choice and want to keep it that way. 

Furthermore, as you may have noticed, being plus-sized is gradually gaining wider acceptance, with so-called fat-shaming being roundly criticized on social media.

As I've noted in earlier posts, society tells that unless we're in the highest-paying professions (e.g. law, accounting, etc.), we won't amount to much in life. I've never heard something so preposterous. As long as you don't fritter away your paycheck every two weeks, you can still make a decent living in a career you love, whether it's teaching or social work. 

People are beginning to open their eyes to the fact that you don't have to make $100,000 a year to ensure a fulfilling life. Money makes you more comfortable, but it doesn't buy happiness. In the end, family, friends, and hobbies mean a whole lot more. 

As for the pressure to have the best stuff, that probably won't go away anytime soon. The world has become so commercialized -- and advertising so pervasive -- that consumers will always feel compelled to trade up to a better car or bigger house. (Clearly, advertising has played a role in feeding all the societal pressures listed, not just those pertaining to consumerism.) 

There's nothing wrong with this as long as you have the means to make such purchases. But if you're racking up massive credit card debt just to buy expensive things with which to impress your friends and coworkers, you are going down a perilous road. Rising debt continues to be a serious problem in the U.S. despite the economy being on the mend. 

I continue to urge my readers not to cave into doing something society says will make them more liked or respected if it goes against their personal values. Always be true to yourself. Follow your heart. Live the life you want to live -- not the one society aims to prescribe for you. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it?  After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

The 1 good thing cheaters do for us

Nothing good could come of a relationship marred by infidelity, right? The heartache, the shock, the feeling of one's trust being violated.  In the short-term, being cheated on can turn one's world upside down. But eventually, there may be a light awaiting the cheated at the end of the tunnel.  If you really think about it, cheaters end up doing us a huge favor.  In their selfishness and disloyalty, they end up showing us that we deserve better.  If you're so unfortunate as to be a victim of such acts of betrayal, you can only hope the cheater is considerate enough to own up to their missteps.  But we all know full well that, in many cases, the cheater is either caught in the act or leaves behind a trail of hints that ultimately culminates in their undoing. The more classy thing to do is to discuss their feelings openly with their partner before straying.  If all talks lead to an impasse or a further escalation of tensions, both parties should take it as a ...