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Riley Quinlan
Mr. King
English I
19 December 2016
Individualism: Importance of Identity
Richard Chamberlain once profoundly stated, No two people are alike. You might
admire attributes in others, but use these only as a guide in improving yourself in your own
unique way. Imagine dwelling in a society where self-advancement was denied, and painful
effort contributed by individuals resulted only in a group reward. The debate between
individualism and collectivism is a serious matter involving human importance amidst the world.
If peoples independent identity and toil lacks acknowledgement, mankind will plunge into
regression. The detrimental effects of collectives shown in American social structures and
foreign governments suggest that the value of individuality deserves more recognition, not
demoralization. The individual is more significant because without acknowledging independent
efforts, identity, and achievements, the concepts of personal fulfillment and expressive freedom
could not be attained.
The main setback that is preventing American millennials to discover and express their
true identity is the engulfing social bubble of American society. In some cases, peer pressure
provokes teenagers to become involved in negative activities, which lead them off the path of life
and shuns them from reaching their full potential (Graham). By succumbing to the regulated
standards of societies, people fail to experience their true purpose in life. In addition, youth begin
to fall behind academically, as the need to thrive in collective social groups becomes the greatest

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priority in their lives (Cultural). In the article Your Identity Matters, collectivism is excoriated
by stating that people cannot thrive when they perceive themselves stuck in a bubble America
cannot thrive if its people do not thrive (Graham). This brainwashed mindset is what
deleteriously messes with teenagers comprehension and desire to belong (Padma). Social peer
influence impacts the individual by preventing them from guiding their own lifes journey and
exposing themselves to different ways of expression. The future is ultimately impacted as the
worlds youth are programmed to correspond with societys teachings (Padma). Not only is
negativity resulting from collectives in American society, but foreign governments are evidence
of other inimical collective institutions that prove destructive to the wellbeing of citizens.
In generations of governments, collective work has been excessively encouraged to
achieve greatness for the entire nation. However, these enterprises that stress the importance of
the groups success ultimately make peoples identities fade away into the abyss of
worthlessness. Communism is an example of a society that emphasizes shared success and
earnings. In the book Animal Farm, communism is represented through the cruel and enslaved
lifestyles of the animals. The creatures are forced into extreme conditions that deprive them of
their right to voice their ideas freely (Orwell). In the presence of a collective society, the
individuals entity dissolves as the group concentrates on achieving goals solely for the group.
Clover, an animal experiencing the horrid atmosphere of underprivileged life on the farm,
explains the concepts of low rations, the long working hours, and the general absence of
pampering (Orwell 121). These visualizations render an established social role which prevented
the animals from exploring different lifestyles. A collectives existence essentially brings itself to
an end because of the impaired mentality that adversely impacts the humans involved. Despite

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numerous arguments against collectivism, a handful of people support its ideas with debatably
convincing claims.
In a plethora of peoples perspectives, collectives are present to boost humanitys success
by demonstrating quality and collaboration within mass populations. In addition, they are said to
be essential due to peoples dependence on family, community, and social groups. Workers who
live in a collectivist culture might strive to sacrifice their own happiness for the greater good of
the group (Cherry). This mindset exhibits unity and selflessness, both of which collective
cultures put at the highest standards of their society. Although some realistic claims are
presented through these statements, the argument more cogently favors individualism. For
instance, the communist nation of North Korea is described as a land of unrelieved repression
with no human rights or freedom for its citizens. (North). North Korean civilians are often
controlled with fear by their cruel dictator, and collective punishment is an efficient way to
silence demur amongst the population (North). Although collectivists proclaim the positive
effects of social belonging and community collaboration, collective institutions deprive
independent beings of their freedom and dignity. The lone individual can gain basic privileges to
fulfill their true purpose in life once the concept of collectivism is erased.
As individuals are becoming increasingly recognized for their stupendous contributions
to advancing the human race, the effort to emerge individual identity and importance has
flourished. Numerous aspects of human life should incorporate freedom to ensure unconstrained
prosperity, and ideas should never be shadowed by the quelling directives of a social or
governmental group. Individual aspirations can only be acquired through the secured ability to

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pursue independent greatness in ones diminishing lifetime; humanity would fundamentally

benefit if contentment and acknowledgement was granted to every individual.

Works Cited
Cherry, Kendra. "What Are the Characteristics of Collectivist Cultures?" Verywell. About Inc.,
13 Feb. 2016. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.
<https://www.verywell.com/what-are-collectivistic-cultures-2794962>.
"Cultural and Societal Influences on Adolescent Development - Boundless Open
Textbook."Boundless. N.p., 26 May 2016. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.
<https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/hu
man-development-14/adolescence-73/cultural-and-societal-influences-on-adolescent-dev
elopment-285-12820/>.
Graham, Stedman. "Your Identity Matters." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 21 Aug.
2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.
"North Korea." Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.
<https://www.hrw.org/asia/north-korea>.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and World, 1954. Print.
Padma. "6 Negative Effects Of Peer-Pressure." The Teachers Digest. N.p., 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 04
Jan. 2017.
<http://theteachersdigest.com/6-ways-in-which-children-are-negatively-affected-by-peer-p
ressure/>.
"Richard Chamberlain." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 23 May 2016. Web. 20
Dec. 2016.
<http://www.biography.com/people/richard-chamberlain-9243750#synopsis>.

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