The individual’s action determines the behavior. However, something that can affect the individual behaviors is society or environment. It can be beneficial or harmful depending on their situation. For example, parents, peers, and places where the individual have grown up can all be factors in shaping individual’s actions and behaviors. Therefore, the society controls the person’s behavior only to a certain limit.

People’s actions and behaviors are dependent on society only up to a certain extent. A person may result in a different identity depending on their environment. The article Linking Childhood and Adult Criminality explains that society is crucial to children. Child may be influenced in ways that can affect their physical health and mentality. A neglectful world for the children can cause problems to the society depending on the severity. Young children may think they are useless from the world and have a feeling of loss. Within the same article, it explains that parents play a big role in childhood. Parents who treat their child with love rather than ignorance has a higher success rate. It is important that parents must be an example to their children so that they can be shaped the right way. Therefore, it is vital for parents to set a good example for their children.

Society has a big role in changing one’s behavior. Some scenarios show the change of identity and result in a child becoming a different person than they otherwise might have been. In The Call of the Wild, the character Buck has all the authority. He would dictate the other dogs. All the other dogs could not do anything about it, and this is because of Judge Miller’s favoritism. Judge Miller, the owner of the dogs, was very lenient towards Buck. As Buck was raised differently, he became arrogant. However, when Buck entered the wild, his behavior has changed. When he was associated with other dogs, he would avoid communication with other dogs. He also avoided fights amongst other dogs. He lost his authority in the wild; the wild was totally new to Buck. Buck is a great example how society is very manipulative to every individual.

Racism and discrimination are now common in society that affects the individual to a certain extent. In The Call of the Wild, the owners of dogs would do anything cruel to make the dogs carry the sled. The owners think the dogs are lazy so they should whip them. Although the owner’s wife disagrees, the owner decides to ignore her, and his crew also agrees with him. They use force inappropriately solely for their benefits. A case between discriminating others and being discriminated might have a different outcome, but one thing they have in common is that they manipulate people’s behaviors.

Only a portion of society determines one’s behaviors and actions. Although it depends on the person whether it impacts or not, it cannot be ignored. The society and surroundings are manipulative in people’s behaviors and actions.

<Beonghyeon Jeon South HS 11th Grade>