In society, individuality holds great value and is the essence of our identity. Conforming to societal norms implies sacrificing our individuality and losing ourselves. In Logan Feys’ article “The Sociology of Leopard Man,” he delves into the concept of individuality and cautions against conformity. Leopard Man, a character adorned with tattoos who lives in seclusion, epitomizes someone who disregards others’ opinions. I largely agree with Feys’ viewpoint on individuality as his arguments regarding the fallacy of normalcy and the significance of defying conformity resonate with me. However, I do not agree with his repetitive use of the term “freak,” although I comprehend its purpose. According to Feys, many seemingly ordinary individuals battle serious psychological issues like depression and alcoholism due to their desperate desire for acceptance. The struggle to conform can be overwhelming, and while I may not have personally experienced these conditions, I can empathize with how some individuals might turn to alcoholism, addiction or depression as coping mechanisms or responses to this stress. Some argue that once an individual becomes depressed or develops an alcohol addiction, they are no longer considered normal. Yet it is challenging to identify these problems in others unless they openly express them since your neighbor or family member could be silently suffering without your knowledge. Should they be labeled as freaks simply because they are confronted by a temporary challenge?The leopard man is incredibly happy as he frees himself from societal expectations and embraces his uniqueness, willingly subjecting himself to these conditions in order to fit in.
Fey argues that being labeled as a freak would undermine his ideas on individuality, as he already deviates from conventional thinking. He believes that individuality is a crucial aspect of our humanity and is threatened by conformity. In order to achieve happiness without resorting to extreme measures like leopard man, Fey suggests finding a balance between individuality and conformity. Society depends on unique and creative ideas from individuals, but it also requires some level of conformity for collaboration. Therefore, it is important to heed Fey’s advice and strike a balance between individuality and conformity.
