IndexIntroductionExploring the Power of Social ConformityConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionConformism, a powerful social force, shapes an individual's actions and beliefs in response to the desire for acceptance or belonging within a group. This phenomenon is vividly depicted in Wes Moore's short story, "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates," which reveals the contrasting life trajectories of two young men, both bearing the name Wes Moore, from the same neighborhood. Despite their shared experiences of growing up without fathers, social conformity significantly influences their choices and outcomes, pushing one toward incarceration and the other into the role of platoon sergeant. At the same time, the article titled “Family Correlates of Social Skill Deficits in Incarcerated and Non-Incarcerated Adolescents,” written by M. Eileen Matlack and M. S. Mac McGreevy, offers insights into the impact of family structure and home environments on prisoners and on non-prisoners. teenagers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Exploring the Power of Social Conformity Matlack and McGreevy's article reveals: "Kellam found that children just entering third grade and from single-mother families were the most maladaptively aggressive, as noted by teachers; children in mother/father families had fewer behavioral problems." In Wes Moore's case, the absence of his alcoholic father left a significant void in his life. This absence led Wes to look up to his brother Tony, who was immersed in the drug trade. Despite Tony's involvement in illicit activities, he made serious attempts to guide young Wes towards academic goals and away from trouble. However, the ever-present influence of social conformity led Wes down a different path, which ultimately led to his involvement in drug dealing and subsequent incarceration. It becomes apparent that the concept of social conformity extends its reach beyond just Wes, influencing Tony's choices and behaviors as well. As Elliot Aronson's "The Social Animal" states, "Because all human beings spend much of our time interacting with other people - being affected by them, influencing them, delighted, amused, saddened by them - it is natural that we develop hypotheses about social behavior. In Tony's case, his association with the dangerous neighborhood of Murphy's homes exposed him to the rampant drug trade, gradually drawing him into this dangerous world. In contrast, Wes Moore's life takes a different turn after the. age three. When he lost his father. Raised by his mother, who struggled to care for her three children alone while grappling with the loss of her husband, Wes' journey takes him to Riverdale Country School, a boarding school. private school attended primarily by white students. Wes' public school friends mock his attendance at a private school, prompting him to downplay his academic affiliation in an attempt to fit in. This search for peer acceptance is vividly illustrated when Wes, questioned about his experiences in the predominantly white Riverdale school, responds in a way designed to align with his public school peers. As the book articulates: "In the neighborhood, your school affiliation was essential. Even if you didn't run with the coolest clique, you still received percentage of your reputation from your school, and the Riverdale name wouldn't impress." anyone."Wes feels in, 41(164), 37-51.