BY SUMMER CRANDALL

Middle school wasn’t just a tough time for me, it was awkward for almost everyone. Back then, individuality seemed nearly impossible. Everyone wanted to fit in, follow the latest trends, and never go against what their friends said. 

Conformity ruled our hallways, and standing out felt like social suicide. Whether it was wearing the same shoes as everyone else or pretending to like a song just because it was “popular,” most of us were scared to be different. Looking back, it wasn’t just about fashion or music it was about belonging. We believed that blending in would protect us from judgment, even if it meant hiding who we really were.

Today, we see conformity on a much larger scale. It’s not just a middle school issue anymore it’s everywhere. In politics, people often follow their party’s beliefs without questioning them. In parenting, some raise their kids based on what others say is “right” instead of what works for their family. Even in schools, teachers can feel pressured to teach a certain way just to fit the system. Conformity has become so normalized that thinking differently can seem like rebellion.

So why do we conform? At its core, conformity comes from a fear of standing out. Humans naturally crave acceptance, and being different can make us feel isolated. Social media only makes this worse when we see everyone posting the same trends or opinions, it’s easy to feel pressured to join in just to belong. This is “social influence,” the idea that people change their behavior to fit what they think is normal. Whether it’s liking a post, following a trend, or agreeing with the loudest voice in the room, conformity gives us comfort. But that comfort often comes at the cost of individuality.

Conformity comes with serious costs. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, people often suppress their true opinions to avoid standing out, which can lead to what researchers call “groupthink.” This happens when everyone agrees just to keep the peace, even if the decision is clearly wrong. Another study from the Journal of Neuroscience found that the human brain actually changes its responses when faced with social pressure, meaning that people can start doubting their own opinions just because others disagree.

Looking back, middle school feels like a smaller version of the world we live in today. Back then, conformity showed up in what we wore or how we talked. Now, it appears in how we think, vote, post, and live. The people who question trends, challenge ideas, and stay true to themselves are the ones who create progress. As author Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”