In Class Writing #2

One of the more common assumptions about the function of a community, as listed in the text, would be that they provide a sense of stability to those individuals that are a part of it. Most people seek validation for their beliefs and behaviors, quite naturally one would surround themselves with others of the same mind set. By submerging ourselves within a community of people with the same interests, beliefs and behaviors, we get the validation and the sense of comfort we so naturally seek.
"Communities maintain stability by establishing traditions and standards of behavior for those who belong to them. Traditions and standards of behavior make it easier for community members to know which practices are acceptable and which are not." (Latterell, 88)
In Hostetler's essay, "The Amish Charter", he describes the principles for acceptable behavior within the Amish community. The rules for living within the community are in writing and very specific. By following these laws of the religion, they bring a uniformity to their group. Each person is able to identify another as a member of their community based on the standards of living associated with their belief system. Udovitch's essay, "A Secret Society of the Starving", tells of young women who are a part of the pro-ana community who believe that eating disorders are a personal choice and should not be classified as an illness. These young women congregate through the Internet to offer not only support to those with eating disorders but in many instances to also offer advice or techniques for their shared practice. Although it can be assumed that communities offer a sense of stability to those within the group, it can be argued that the impact is not always positive on the individual practicing. In the Amish community, the needs or desires of the individuals are never put before that of the religion. If a member within the Amish community looks to explore their personal interests outside the standards for behavior outlined by the religion, the individual is shunned by the community with no further contact with those that remain whether they be family or friends. This need for conformity hinders the ability of personal choice for the individuals within the community. The negative effect can also be seen with the young women of the pro-ana community, their high-risk behavior is only being encouraged and validated by those within their community at a cost to their personal health and well being. So while it can be assumed that communites offer a sense of stability to their members, it can also be argued that in some instances this allows the personal growth of the individual to be stunted.