Social Norms To Dress For Easter Mass

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Social norms are things that influence our behaviors immensely, in my opinion. I know for myself, in many decisions, I have felt this influence in many cases. One instance of this I encountered over the past weekend, was when I went home for Easter and went to Easter mass. The social norm I experienced was how to dress for Easter mass. Personally, I think that it is a social norm to dress up for mass, as a Catholic, at least at my church. Everyone is always wearing their nicest dresses, suits, dress pants, skirts, etc. It is very rare for me to see anyone who has on anything less than this, especially at Easter mass. Therefore, I feel it necessary from society to also uphold this nice dress standard, whenever I go to mass. With this norm, …show more content…

Thus, if someone shows up to mass in jeans a t-shirt, they will then stick out like a sore thumb, and most likely be very much judged. This is likely why everyone feels the need to dress nicely on every occasion, and too shows how this social norm was created in the first place. Also, I think the norm was reinforced not only by the parishioners in my own church, but also through the power of television. I think what we see on television can influence our decisions in many ways, and I know that when I see mass broadcasted on television, everyone is dressed nicely. The specific example I am thinking about is mass held from the Vatican, in Rome, Italy. If the Pope and his congregation are dressing up, I definitely think all Catholics watching around the world will be influenced by that, because the Pope is so powerful, sacred, and influential in that way. With this I think is also the factor of tradition. Specifically, how things have been done for so many years, that make it the way it is today, and likely not going to change, unless something drastic is to

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