How has society shaped you?

[Gerishnakov]

I've been here, and I think for me it basically turned out that my quality of life was so poor I had to take it on other people. I didn't realise that at the time of course, I just had to correct the symptoms so my girlfriend at the time wouldn't break up with me (we are now not together anymore, for related, but not the same, reasons).

I think the best you can do is certainly try to correct your symptoms, but also look at why you're still being made to act this way now. Are there people in your life who rile you? Perhaps you should talk to your girlfriend about slowly cutting them out of your life together, or even approaching them about your issues, if you know them well enough. I realise the cutting out option could be difficult, if for instance these people are your girlfriend's friends, and I'm certainly not going to advocate breaking up because that's not my business, but you definitely need to be honest and consider all options.

If I had done the above, and subsequently broken up with my now-ex in the first year of our relationship, instead of letting it slowly fall apart over the course of five, I would be a very different person.

Anyway to answer the thread question for myself: I don't think I've been greatly shaped by society. Most of my personality shaping was done by the time I was 10, but like many others here, I was bullied as a child for being shy and quiet and I suppose that has left a lasting impression in that I am incredibly slow to trust. New relationships, friendships and romances, are also really slow burning. It can take me months to let a new person in.

 

[Phasmal]

I think because of my upbringing and enviroment I was always... (How is a nice way to put this?) um...ready for a fight.

Let me clarify a little, I wouldn't say I'm a person who looks for fights (and I haven't been in a fight for years), but because of the voilence at home and because I went to a secondary school where fights were common, I became kind of hyper-vigilant to it, ready to defend myself.

Its silly when you're an adult and no longer in that situation, when me and my boyfriend are having an argument I have to remind myself he's not going to try and start a physical fight.
(That doesn't mean I cower if he gets angry, when he gets angry my body goes `Get ready to fight!`).

But that doesn't mean I blame society, its just a conditioned reflex really, and I'm improving it myself.

 

[JoJo]

Wow. Lots of people here hating society. It kinda surprises me, as I've been through much of the stuff described here. Bullying, threatening, shitty friends, ridicule, physical assault, you name it. And still I've turned out to be a decent person. I try to be nice to other people, beyond the simple howdoyoudo's and whatnot, and don't exactly expect anything in return. The natural high from being nice to others is kinda awesome at times, that if you see strangers eyes light up after you've given them some money to top off a bill, or when you start helping someone who obviously is in need.

Either this is because I've been raised by awesome parents, or it's just something I do. You decide.

I agree with Sam. I went through a lot of that stuff too and I think I turned out a good person (at-least I hope am). Having other people act like dicks to you may be a reason to be a dick but it isn't an excuse. Dicking around the people who dick you? Sure go ahead, that's understandable. Dicking around other people though makes you no better than the dicks in the first place. If you're a good person then you'll continue to be one regardless of how the world is.

Frankly I'm a little disappointed, I thought we got past this whole "I hate society and I'm a jaded cynical intellectual" phase months ago. More often that not it seems that hating society is way for people to cover up their insecurities and feel superior to other people. Generally once you get know them most people are awesome, everyone has their flaws of course but that just keeps it interesting.

 

[Tipsy Giant]

Society has shown me the best and worst of ourselves, it has educated me in how to behave, it has sculpted my understanding of morality and made me less judgemental.

I have realised that we are weak when we consume ourselves with concern of how we are perceived and we are at our greatest when we challenge long standing myths.

I believe that society is just the accumulated personalities of the people within the society and it is a mirror of ourselves, so I live by the old saying "be the change you want to see" as just moaning gets you nowhere

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

I often wonder that myself. I was generally a kind loving boy. I do remember being taking advantage of and bullied in school, going through a lot of stress and failing my classes.

I remember my mom going from general caregiver to a man hater.

I guess in the end I had to of turned out the way I did because of the way I was treated. I preferred to be alone with my "own kind". Because everyone else was mean. Thats when things turned around.

Doesn't give me or anyone else an excuse to treat others badly though. We should better ourselves regardless of the crap that is thrown in our faces.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[sora8021]

I would say that Society has shaped me for the better actually. When I was a child I lived with my mother for a good 5 to 7 years, during that time I lived in slums, where I was taught to deceive, cheat, and manipulate my way through life. But then when my father and mother moved back in, I lived three years with both of them, then we moved to a different state. When we came back, my father wanted my mother to work so she could help pay bills, but she could never keep a job. During this time she also called me out of school a lot and offered to pretty much everyday. I was starting to knotting she wasn't the best role model for me, and over time I grew to detest her for her corruptness ways on me and her bad influence. After that I started to get a real nice group of friends who are friends, where I can be myself and state my opinion on anything, and not fear them hating me for it. A kind, accepting, and funny group of friends. I also am really kind , nice, helpful, and all that. But outside of being helpful, seeing as how I was 'evil' in my past, I have gotten a infamous labeling in my school. Pretty much everyone in my grade at least knows me, and I can do and say what I want without fear of being bullied. But I choose to live a good life, and I rather help others, fix problems, learn, have good deep conversations with others, and generally have good fun. Oh yeah, I also have firm believes in equality, fairness, and everyone is equal and have a burning hatred for, well, hatred, or more to say prejudice.

 

[Queen Michael]

My mom, grandmother and aunt (both maternal) taught me to be generous towards my friends, and my horrible dad made me hate men and become a cross-dresser.

 

[Phasmal]

Frankly I'm a little disappointed, I thought we got past this whole "I hate society and I'm a jaded cynical intellectual" phase months ago. More often that not it seems that hating society is way for people to cover up their insecurities and feel superior to other people. Generally once you get know them most people are awesome, everyone has their flaws of course but that just keeps it interesting.

I dont know, quite a few people are saying while they recognise the impact their surroundings have made, it's not an excuse. I dont really think society makes you act in a way, but it can make you react in a way, and its your (I'm using a general you, not you you, I always get people misunderstanding this) job to change or control aspects you don't like.

 

[krazykidd]

Society has turned me into a asocial shut in . I hate dealing with people ( as individuals and as a group). I see people as sheep following what ever trend that is all the rage. I can't say society has turned me into an asshole , because i am an asshole , but society has turned me into a hypocrite.

 

[wintercoat]

Since society deemed several decades ago that fat people, people with glasses, and the poor are to be ridiculed and made fun of, and I fit into all three categories, it has taught me to hate pretty much everyone and that the human race should be nuked from orbit, as it's the only way to be sure.

 

[JoJo]

Frankly I'm a little disappointed, I thought we got past this whole "I hate society and I'm a jaded cynical intellectual" phase months ago. More often that not it seems that hating society is way for people to cover up their insecurities and feel superior to other people. Generally once you get know them most people are awesome, everyone has their flaws of course but that just keeps it interesting.

I dont know, quite a few people are saying while they recognise the impact their surroundings have made, it's not an excuse. I dont really think society makes you act in a way, but it can make you react in a way, and its your (I'm using a general you, not you you, I always get people misunderstanding this) job to change or control aspects you don't like.

You're right, my post was a little bit of a slowpoke. I'm writing an assignment while flicking back to the Escapist every now and again and since I hadn't refreshed the thread for a long while before I got around to actually finishing up the post, SamuelT's post was the last one I saw before I hit the post button. It's refreshing to see that after Sam's post the tone of thread changed to a more positive note, constant misanthropism can get really annoying after a while.