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How a person is and how they act are a direct product of the society they were raised in and how they were treated. When you speak with someone, you're not really speaking to them, but rather you're speaking to the socialized end product that was shaped into the behaviours and personality that they exhibit today. In that sense, it makes no sense to claim that some people are outgoing or they're shy, because these traits were manufactured from their own lived experiences, not a choice they made on their own.
Let's take two opposing examples. First, a young boy. This young boy was smaller than the other young boys so he typically got picked last when it came to team sports. This action may have lead him to believe that he is not good at sports, and therefore does not try, but his conclusion did not come alone, it came from a response to the external, social World reacting to his attempt to play sports. Thus, he is driven to be more secluded and to take interest in solitary hobbies and activites.
Next, let's take a young lady who blossomed early into an attractive woman. If she were a cute girl all of her youth, she would have been fed with endless compliments, favouritism from teachers, and loving behaviour from the boys her age. When she matures into a woman, she, unsurprisingly, is a positive, upbeat, extraverted woman who is comfortable in her own shoes and enjoys talking to people.
But let us take a deeper reflection on this young woman. Did she just one day decide in her maturity to become this extraverted, confident woman? Of course not. Her personality and demeanour was shaped and formed by external social stimuli. The society she lives in has chosen to reward her for her good looks by reacting positively to her attempts to socialize, and rewarding her for being present in social events. As a consequence, it is of no surprise that she became the confident woman that she is, because that is what society has shaped her to be.
Let's return then to the young boy mentioned earlier. He develops into a young man who is not so attractive. He has a nose that is too big and is short for a man. His attempts to be confident are not taken seriously and if anything, are derided. His presence does not add any real value in social situations. So as an adult, you may find this man to be secluded, introverted and does not like being in a crowd. Did he spontanoeusly decide to be a loner, or did years of people not valuing his presence shape him to be one? Did he just decide to be unconfident, or was it the ridicule that was thrown at him when he did try to be confident convince him that he should learn his place?
Nay, indeed people are not individuals who just decide what their personalities are going to be. Their personalities were kneaded, shaped and formed by the society they are in. So to say that someone's personality is better than another's is like comparing the genetics of two different people; it is entirely outside of their control.
Let's take two opposing examples. First, a young boy. This young boy was smaller than the other young boys so he typically got picked last when it came to team sports. This action may have lead him to believe that he is not good at sports, and therefore does not try, but his conclusion did not come alone, it came from a response to the external, social World reacting to his attempt to play sports. Thus, he is driven to be more secluded and to take interest in solitary hobbies and activites.
Next, let's take a young lady who blossomed early into an attractive woman. If she were a cute girl all of her youth, she would have been fed with endless compliments, favouritism from teachers, and loving behaviour from the boys her age. When she matures into a woman, she, unsurprisingly, is a positive, upbeat, extraverted woman who is comfortable in her own shoes and enjoys talking to people.
But let us take a deeper reflection on this young woman. Did she just one day decide in her maturity to become this extraverted, confident woman? Of course not. Her personality and demeanour was shaped and formed by external social stimuli. The society she lives in has chosen to reward her for her good looks by reacting positively to her attempts to socialize, and rewarding her for being present in social events. As a consequence, it is of no surprise that she became the confident woman that she is, because that is what society has shaped her to be.
Let's return then to the young boy mentioned earlier. He develops into a young man who is not so attractive. He has a nose that is too big and is short for a man. His attempts to be confident are not taken seriously and if anything, are derided. His presence does not add any real value in social situations. So as an adult, you may find this man to be secluded, introverted and does not like being in a crowd. Did he spontanoeusly decide to be a loner, or did years of people not valuing his presence shape him to be one? Did he just decide to be unconfident, or was it the ridicule that was thrown at him when he did try to be confident convince him that he should learn his place?
Nay, indeed people are not individuals who just decide what their personalities are going to be. Their personalities were kneaded, shaped and formed by the society they are in. So to say that someone's personality is better than another's is like comparing the genetics of two different people; it is entirely outside of their control.
