Responsibility vs. rebellion!

I probably understood social norms today the most I think. Or more so, that why there is a need for these social norms. Or a social sense of common behaviour.

I watched Boyhood today, I related to a lot of parts where the boy doesn’t want to lead his life according to the set social order. And when the time comes, he leaves his lamenting mother on her own, to go on with his life because he denies being restricted in a cage, of sorts. Till late in the evening I kind of agreed, and felt that what he did was right.

But then, it only took a small argument with my folks for me to realise that no matter how defiant or defensive I (or we) become, there is never going to be any reality in rebel. Maybe the attitude of rebellion is only home to a string of words hurled at the other in a dialogue that has no semblance with the real life. I think that maybe all arguments are just some narcissistic expression of ours, because we probably just like the sound of our own voices, or we get some kick out of pinning each other down.

What if you do not like the way they carry on their lives. What if you do not fit in their social order? What if you do not believe in their idea of common behaviour? What if your definition of respect towards elders is completely different? What if you are miles apart from their thinking? You certainly can’t change theirs, and you can’t change yours too because that’s not ideal as per the set standards. So maybe you just get up and leave. To live the life you want, in the way you want to.

But then what about the fact that your parents need you just the way you needed them when you were a toddler. So you can’t just get up and leave to live your own life. What is rebellion then if we are supposed to ‘pay back’ (if I may term it that.) Or maybe rebellion just doesn’t go for inside the family, and only goes for people around (who are not related to you). But that’s hypocrisy and convenience to some extent. Or maybe rebellion is just for those heartless people who can go on doing whatever they want no matter what. This also leaves me thinking that maybe rebellion is for those who can lock up their softer side deep in the crust.

But do we want to be those people? Does that mean that “doing whatever you want to” means nothing? Or there are limits to it? Then what is the limitless word ‘whatever’ doing in that phrase? What is going on here?

Let me go...

Let me go
I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
Just wanna fight with everyone else

Your masquerade
I don't wanna be a part of your parade
Everyone deserves a chance to
Walk with everyone else

While holding down
A job to keep my girl around
And maybe buy me some new strings
And her and I on a night out on the weekend

And we can whisper things
Secrets from our American dreams
Baby needs some protection
But I'm a kid like everyone else

So let me go
I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
I Just wanna fight like everyone else

So let me go
I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
I Just wanna fight with everyone else

Your masquerade
I don't wanna be a part of your parade
Everyone deserves a chance to
Walk with everyone else..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYFaghHyMKc