Conformity Quote by Marge Piercy
““The societies kids naturally form are tribal. Gangs, clubs, packs. But we're herded into schools and terrified into behaving. Taught how we're supposed to pretend to be, taught to parrot all kinds of nonsense at the flick of a switch, taught to keep our heads down and our elbows in and shut off our minds and shut off our sex. We learn we can't even piss when we have to. That's how we learn to be plastic and dumb.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on education and conformity, 2010
Society forces individuals into rigid, suppressive structures that stifle authentic thought and bodily autonomy.
In simple terms: Schools make us behave like obedient, mindless beings.
Key Takeaway
Question and resist imposed conformity.
Themes
conformity
education
individuality
control
identity
Mood
frustrated
defiant
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- classroom settings
- workplace environments
- social media interactions
- activist organizing
- personal self‑expression
Key Concepts
social conditioning
psychological repression
body autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we cultivate authentic self‑expression within restrictive systems?
- What alternatives to traditional schooling foster true autonomy?
A Different Perspective
The quote idealizes rebellion without offering practical pathways for change.
