Peer Pressure & Conformity

Dear Old Hippy,
I think it’s real groovy that you’re taking time outta your day to help us kids out. We really need your help and guidance to show us how to pick up where you left off…

Anyways, I have a question for you. How do you think I should deal with my peers? What I mean by that is, how do I cope with the fact that my teenage friends are ignorant about what’s going on and aren’t in tune. It’s so frustrating to try to talk to them, to find that they interpret what I say as something completely different. They are all Mtv babies, and can’t seem to understand why I would choose to love other people and try to help out with the problems our world has. They are all just a bunch of lazy punk asses who don’t give a damn about what happens to the world and they hate hippies (except for me, of course…). I love them all, but none of them understand me. How do I open their eyes? I’ve tried everything, Old Hippy. I’m at the end of my rope!
I’ve written asking for your guidance, and that is all I want. So, enlighten me. Please? Thank you so much.

Love, Peace, Hemp, and Trips Galore,
Star

Dear Star,
Your problem is common among teenagers. Teens are conformists. They feel secure by dressing, acting and viewing the world the same way as their peers. This way they are accepted by the group. Fortunately some teens begin to experience things from a new perspective. They get exposed to other ideas and people that cause them to view the world differently from their peers. It is these individuals who evolve out of society’s mold, who see the world for what it truly is, then change that world in a way no conformist could ever dream.

Your mission Star, should you decide to accept it, is to change the world. If you are ridiculed as being different, or cast out from your peers, we hippies will take you in and respect you for who you are. The only thing that will self-destruct is the limited role that conformity dictates. Be free, be yourself and leave those that would limit you. You can open the eyes of a blind man, but you can’t make him see! Let others see you being yourself. They will be attracted to you and new, deeper relationships will soon blossom.

– The Old Hippy

Posted by: skip
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