Jessica Kuntze
“Societal pressures are expectations that affect the entire community, or specific parts of it” (Vocabulary.com).
From a young age we are all given countless expectations that we apparently have to live up to, both from family and friends, and from society. These expectations can become overbearing and take a toll on mental and physical health and wellbeing. At least from my experience.
Some of the expectations that have been placed on me include:
- Fit an ideal stereotype/be ‘perfect’
- Be in a relationship
- Have a large friend group
- Get good grades
- Get into, and complete, University
- Earn a lot of money/be successful
- Have a driver’s licence
- Be married with kids in my thirties
- Know what I want to do after school/uni
- ‘Fit in’
Mind you, this is only a small list, there are many more that I have had to consider and try to live up to throughout my life. I’m 22.
I don’t believe anyone should have to live up to certain expectations placed on us by society, we should all find our own way through life and live the way we choose. There is so much pressure placed on us by society to live a certain way and be a certain type of person. If you stray from the ‘norm’ then you are automatically labelled as different, you are looked down on and bullied.
The social pressures and expectations placed on us from a young age are what is wrong with this society, what causes a lot of mental illness and unnecessary conflict.
