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Introduction
Social rules and norms are standards or expectations of conduct and thinking founded on shared views inside a sociocultural community. Norms, which are often implicit, provide societal expectations for acceptable and unacceptable behavior that control interpersonal relationships. These rules have a substantial influence on human behavior in a wide range of settings. As a result, the majority of society finds it difficult to resist the rules and norms that governed the crowd for thousands of years. The reason for this is fear of consequences, being punished, or the power of habit of living in a conformist society while feeling protected by somebody stronger.
Fear of Consequences
The first reason behind the difficulty of resisting the rules and norms is the fear of being punished for disobedience. Throughout much of human history, obedience was associated with virtue and disobedience with sin (Fromm 4). More specifically, people observe what happens to those who disobey in the Hebrew and Greek myths. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were part of nature; they were in harmony with it, yet did not transcend it . As soon as they ignored the rules, everything collapsed for them (Fromm 1). The Greek myth of Prometheus, like the Biblical narrative of Adam and Eve, depicts an act of rebellion. Prometheus sets the groundwork for human progress by stealing fire from the deities. But, like Adam and Eve, he is condemned for his rebellion.
Additionally, Erich Fromm provides an example of a slave and a master. Here, slaves were forced to obey their masters due to societal constructs. The needs and feelings of the slaves were disregarded, and the latter were forced to live by the rules, or they would be punished. The same idea was covered in The Case for Black Joy. Charmaine A. Nelson, a professor, states that because of a major shortage of spare time and a requirement for continual labor, forefathers of black people were denied access to self-care and things that provided happiness (Roderique 3). As a result, this kind of difficulty to resist the rules at this time makes Hadiya Roderique concentrate on the importance of Black joy.
Innate Feeling of Submission to the Stronger Force
Another reason behind the difficulty of resisting norms and rules is the innate feeling of submission to the stronger force. Although, at the moment, people live in the Atomic Age, the majority of them, including the authorities and powerful minorities, still emotionally live in the Stone Age (Fromm 2). While a lot of scientific breakthroughs have been made, most of the progress in the concepts of politics and culture is delayed. As a result, a minority has dominated a majority for thousands of years.
Historically, there were not enough good things in life for the many, leaving crumbs for those who deserved them. If the minority wished to enjoy the good things and, more importantly, have the majority labor for them, the obedience of the majority was required. Additionally, as long as a person is obedient to the power of the State, the Church, or public opinion, they feel safe and protected (Fromm 4). The men or institutions watch over others, make decisions for them, and prohibit erring or sin. As a result, specific guidance and structure in society are built.
Conclusion
Hence, the strict structure and hierarchy of society make it difficult for people to resist the rules and norms. On the one side, society functions according to the primitive beliefs of submission when the minority controls the majority, and the latter receives rewards and protection for good behavior. On the other hand, the majority experience serious consequences in case of disobedience, which makes them submissive.
Works Cited
Fromm, Erich. Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem. On Disobedience and Other Essays. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984.
Roderique, Hadiya. The Case for Black Joy. Fashion Magazine. 2019. Web.
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