Reflection on Social Contagion
This image symbolically portrays the danger of social contagion. It shows how a person can be influenced by negative environments and company. I once asked someone if, had they not gotten involved with a certain group of friends, they believed they would still be living and thinking the same way today. The answer was probably not.
This confirms what we have always said: social contagion is real and can gradually transform a person, especially when there is emotional vulnerability, loneliness, addiction to screens, and a desire to belong. For a long time we studied this, attended lectures, joined support groups, and read scientific materials to understand and find ways to help.
What I want to make clear is that anyone can be influenced if they are not firmly grounded in their own values, principles, and faith. As the saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” In many cases we could even say, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you will become.”
That is why it is essential to have discernment about who surrounds us. There are groups and environments that pull us down, people without direction, purpose, or responsibility, and little by little we can get used to error, discouragement, or mediocrity.
Take a close look at this image. The main point is not the appearance of the person who became the clown at the end, but the process itself. It shows someone who started out alone and confused and gradually molded themselves to the environment until they lost their own identity. This can happen in any area of life: addictions, friendships, laziness, conformity, or lack of faith.
That is why it is so important to stay anchored in who you truly are, holding on to your values, principles, and self-awareness. Only by doing so can you remain strong when the world tries to push you toward paths that lead you away from who you were meant to be.
It is hard for teens and young adults specifically to stay grounded in who they are and thats why they are targeted by abusers. Its naturally a time of not knowing who you are or what you're doing and a time when you question everything and look for guidance. It is why you'll notice a large amount of trans identified people are teenagers or young adults. They are susceptible to cults too.
Along with Natural Immunity, the importance of IQ, sunlight, meat, puberty difficulties and challenges, fresh air, family, friends, we also forgot how important it is for teens especially girls to resist social contagions, we also forgot that girls are especially vulnerable to social contagions. Maybe such things need to be taught again. However, today we can't trust the teachers and if we don't were bigots or whatever. Quite the Catch-22 we are in.