Is this normal?

Tullio Orlando

During a conversation recently with a dear friend, the dialogue detoured to the subject of normality. What exactly is it to be ‘normal’? This basic but fundamental question isn’t new. It’s long been of interest to social scientists and others.

There’s a standard definition – any behaviour or condition which is usual, expected, typical, or conforms to a pre-existing standard – but it lacks depth. Normal behaviour can be seen as conforming to social norms, which are the expected or typical patterns of human behaviour in any given society. Hence, what’s ‘normal’ in one society may not be in another. Then again, different levels of social norms can also be present in society making it challenging to establish what social norms are being considered.

Societal level norms are generalized into expectations like obeying the speed limit most of the time or not jumping the line when waiting for service. Other norms are context-dependent and explicit to certain settings like not cheating on an exam or showing respect at a funeral. Social norms can deviate from location to location, time of day, or social characteristics like age, and gender.

Determining an ironclad definition of normality is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.

Perhaps what we need is to abandon the concept and quest for normalcy altogether and simply adopt the standpoint that society consists of individuals each of whom is exceptional. Yet, we usually decide what’s typical behaviour based on our individual perception of normal. In many ways, normal is filtered through the eye of the beholder and societal lens.

One thing is certain, however. Normal is amorphous. It will mean different things to different people. It’s about having an individual comfort level with what is observed and accepted. Normalcy is a constantly moving target; something we may chase and consider but never really capture.

Imagine. Wouldn’t it be better to have different forms of normal; a uniqueness that doesn’t harm others rather than strict conformity that’ll undoubtedly leave some on the fringes because they don’t fit in with the vast majority?