The Individual and The Group

1. What is the difference between “ME” and “WE”?

- Me and We are simple words but both hold very different meanings. “Me” is a
term used to refer to a space where it's all about “mine”. It's a space where I
do things “my” way. We don't want to depend on others because “me” can do
it on my own and we don't trust anybody else. We only trust ourselves. “We”
on the other hand, it's all about “us” or the togetherness of the community
and the people around us. This is the space where we seek for
belongingness, assurance, security, and the feeling of being loved. In “we”,
we don't just focus on ourselves but we look for each other's strength and fill
out what we lack ourselves.

2. Does membership in a group change a person’s self-concept and social

identity?

- Being in a group changes a person's self-concept and social identity because

in our need to conform the more we are influenced by our peers. Almost half
of the time, friends have the biggest influence on a person. Sometimes
teenagers tend to listen more to peers than their own parents. Group
integrates new identities in our self-concept. The more we feel that we are
accepted and tied up with the group, the less likely we are to live the groups
we belong to.

3. Do only individuals strive for high self-esteem?

- Individuals strive for a higher self-esteem because it serves as a motivational

factor that a person may reason as to why they dress nicely, wear make-up,
and do things that they really want not minding the judgement of others. It is
more likely that a person with high self-esteem can explore their full potential.
The feeling of being secure and worthwhile, having good relationships with
others and feeling confident about your abilities are a few good reasons why
individuals strive for high self-esteem.

4. Which is better alone or together?

- For me, we are best alone but better together. I believe that there is
togetherness through the power of individuality. When we focus more on
being together in a group sometimes we lose our sense of self-identity. We
can't stand alone because we are too comfortable doing things together.
Being alone all the time is also a little bit scary. Although I love me some time
alone by myself I also crave for the approval that I can only get when I'm in a
group together with my friends. It's important to build our own foundation
first so that when we stumble down we already have our guards up. We need
to show our best alone, but we must also help the collective of being better
together.