Being Different From Your Friends Isn't A Crime

It was on a nondescript afternoon at the mall across town. In the middle of the food court, amongst the passing chatter, sat four young girls. A quick glimpse and it would seem like they were a mural of colors and fabric and upon closer observation it would seem like they were all mirror images of each other. The girls all had the same hairstyle, same clothes, same makeup, and the same way of talking.

Individualism can be a strange concept to the young. The desire to be accepted among peers can smother any differences that would shape the uniqueness that carries on into adulthood. Even with the various cliques that exist in schools, the differences between those groups do that validate the seeming gray mentality that lives in the groups themselves. Somewhere, there is a jock that loves to jam to Cure music or a geek that can drain the three with eyes closed. Maybe even a headbanger that still enjoys Disney musicals or a cheerleader that has a level 80 warlock in World of Warcraft. These people exist but are hiding it because of the fear of being different.

Self-awareness will eventually be strong enough to break the bonds of conformity. Sure, certain life choices will dictate compromise but by that time, there will be no desire to hide or suppress certain differences.