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By Our Writer
Ask a ten-year-old what they want to be when they grow up, and you’ll likely hear them say, “a doctor,” “a pilot,” or “an engineer.” Not because they have a deep understanding or personal experience in those professions—but because they’ve heard others say so. This moment reflects a broader truth about human behavior: much of what we claim as personal choice is, in fact, a product of influence and conformity.
From the way we dress, speak, behave, or even worship—most of our life decisions are deeply influenced by our environment. Society, media, friends, and culture have a powerful hand in shaping our values, desires, and expressions.
Take fashion for instance. When someone says, “It’s my choice to wear ripped jeans,” is it truly their decision? Or are they influenced by what they saw on Rihanna, a friend, or a trending TikTok reel? The same goes for phrases we use in casual conversation or on social media: “Tusimbudde,” “Wenkomye okutegeera,” and others often spread not because of meaning or context, but because we mimic what’s popular.
Religious expressions aren’t exempt either. When a Christian says, “You need the Holy Spirit to understand,” it may not stem from personal revelation, but rather a repetition of what they've heard from church leaders or fellow believers. Ask for further explanation, and you're likely to be met with silence or confusion—not out of lack of faith, but lack of personal understanding.
Recently, a silent disco trend swept across social spaces. Not because people deeply connected with the concept, but because it was “the thing” to do. Bars, events, fashion trends—even the content we consume on YouTube—are often not a result of deliberate personal choice but of recommendation algorithms and social validation.
Perhaps one of the most powerful illustrations of this conformity is in matters of identity and belief. Cultural or religious pressures can be so strong that individuals are willing to sever family ties in the name of protecting tradition. A Muslim father may disown his daughter for marrying outside the faith—not because of personal hatred—but because of fear: “What will my fellow Muslims say?” The same sentiment echoes among Catholics, Pentecostals, and other communities.
This isn't to say people don’t have agency—but our environment heavily scripts our sense of identity and ‘choice.’ It can condition individuals to believe in something so deeply that they’ll defend it, promote it, and even harm others for it—without ever questioning where it all began.
A simple example? Ask anyone why they were sharing Gashumba’s wedding pictures online. The likely answer? “Everyone else was doing it.” That’s conformity in action.
So what can we do?
Start by asking why. Interrogate your beliefs, your habits, your choices. Are they yours—or are they someone else’s? Seek awareness. Cultivate critical thinking. True freedom doesn’t come from following trends, but from understanding why you follow them in the first place.
Torch Media Africa
