Cultural Shifts and the Transformation of Social Identity

In the modern world, the process of rethinking social standards has become a driving force for change, determining who among us is considered exemplary and who is seen as marginalized. Studies conducted in the late 20th century demonstrate how long-established ideas of normality are being reshaped by new perspectives, leading to a reexamination of the concept of sexual deviations. This dynamic illustrates that what was once perceived as pathological can now be integrated into broader social and cultural frameworks.

Moreover, the realities of Western consumer civilization bring about a loss of individual uniqueness, giving rise to issues of alienation and mass-standardized behavior. Such social processes not only form the criteria for social recognition but also propel society to seek ways to integrate those whose views and behaviors differ from dominant norms. Instead of eliminating contradictions, modern education strives to transform antisocial elements by enriching and ennobling them, thereby allowing everyone to find their place in a rapidly changing world.

Thus, cultural and social changes not only reflect the realities of our times but also actively shape new standards, creating opportunities for self-expression and elevation, even for those who were once regarded as deviant or alienated.

How do social changes and cultural norms influence the perception of who is considered "the best" in society and who is alienated?

Social changes and cultural norms decisively influence how society determines the status of individuals – identifying who is seen as a role model and who is perceived as deviant or alienated. In a rapidly evolving world, established standards of behavior are reexamined, leading to shifts in evaluations and ideas of what is normal.

For instance, one source (471_2350.txt) shows that in the late 20th century, a reconsideration of traditional ethical and social norms allowed phenomena that were previously labeled as sexual deviations to be reinterpreted in a new light. It is emphasized that these changes in approaches to classifying sexual deviations reflect a broader process in which social norms are restructured, and what was once seen as pathological begins to be viewed differently. This example illustrates how norms delineate the boundaries between what is considered "proper" and what is regarded as a deviation from the norm.

On the other hand, issues of alienation are examined as a result of the profound distortion of reality within the context of modern Western consumer civilization. As stated in source (1256_6277.txt):
"the alarming extent to which the human being is leveled in today's Western consumer civilization ultimately constitutes a problem of historical rather than ontological investigation. This means that the various social manifestations of human alienation in the everyday conditional relationships are fundamentally linked to an existential stasis of individuality..."
This perspective underscores that the massification and standardization of social forms can lead to a loss of individuality, contributing to perceptions of alienation.

Furthermore, the approach to the antisocial group, as described in source (1348_6739.txt, page 303), demonstrates that social upbringing is not aimed at eradicating deviations but rather at transforming them through ennoblement. In other words, cultural attitudes and societal changes can not only highlight and encourage those who conform to norms but also serve as an instrument for integrating and transforming those who initially fall outside these boundaries.

Thus, it is through the establishment and evolution of cultural norms that society forms the criteria by which the "best" representatives are determined and those who are alienated are identified. On one hand, those who meet the new standards gain recognition and status; on the other, individuals with views or behaviors that diverge from prevailing norms may be marginalized or pressured by societal expectations.

Supporting citation(s):
"Sexopathology and sexology of the late 20th century fundamentally separate ethical-social norms and human sexual behavior..." (source: 471_2350.txt)
"The alarming scale to which the human being is leveled in today’s Western consumer civilization..." (source: 1256_6277.txt)
"Finally, regarding the last (antisocial) group, the task of social upbringing concerning it is not to completely eliminate the antisocial factor, but rather to ennoble and elevate it..." (source: 1348_6739.txt, page: 303)