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INDIVIDUALISM IN TODAY’S ERA
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
Espousing the full development of the individual and his capabilities, individualism is an ideology that many
of us could find both agreeable and desirable for ourselves. We all want to face recognition for our own selves,
our individual efforts, and our personal merits.
The seduction of living life by one’s own rules is at once exciting as it is interesting. Business enterprises have
strived to cash in on the individuality scheme, supporting revolutionary ideas that scream “I am me” at all
angles. Even young people are motivated to seek heir own corner of the sky and to seize opportunities that will
empower them to be themselves. This is all well and good, considering how so many of our own ancestors
were “imprisoned” by what had been considered right, just and true. To be able to carve a niche in this world is
both beautiful and novel, a feat that anyone would want to succeed at.
However, having your own quirks and enjoying them can sometimes be a challenge. We have been trained
from childhood to follow rules; we can’t just easily abandon older teachings in order to follow our own calling
and dance to our own beat. We have to bow down to tradition in the face of overwhelming change. And in
order to prove ourselves, a certain level of individuality must be reached, with no room for the mediocre and
the inherently weak. In other words, in order to be recognized for our personal abilities, we must be able to
show the world that what sets us apart is clear enough to be seen.
Self-identity can be very difficult to find in these times when teamwork is considered the norm and
organizations are deemed effective because of the sheer reality of their existence as groups. We can not strictly
play by our own rules; we have others with us to think about. Self-experimentation and creation easily make
way for what is deemed popular or conventional, so self-reinvention is considered risky and rebellious, if not
downright contemptible.
In a world that thrives on singular accomplishments and lauds joint efforts even more, individuals must prove
themselves worthy of accolades and recognitions. Room for error might prove inconsequential at times
because there will always be another individual out there better than we are. Although much of the world
would be better off with an “I don’t care” approach, we have already been oriented about the benefits of
universalism from the very beginning. Convention is not quite easy to let go of.
Still, individualists have all the time in the world to support their individualistic philosophies. Just as long as
their self-interests do not pose a threat to others in society, then they can go their own way all the time.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
Define individualism in your own words. Do you honestly agree with this ideology? Why or why not?
2.
What are the risks of individualism? How can the pitfalls of individualism be avoided?
3.
Do you believe that all men are created equal? Why or why not?
4.
How would you practice individualism?
5.
Do research on famous supporters of individualism and their philosophies. Be able to talk about them in
class.