Social norms are dictated by the group.  This may be through a group  hierarchy, for example at the town, city, province, state, country-level with the higher-level groups influencing the lower ones.

On the whole, the social group (ranging from student associates in a class to the population of the country) have great power influencing and directing individual behavior.

Changing Norms

In my life I have seen enormous change in our societies beliefs, this has been worldwide but most significant in democratic countries.  Racial prejudices and sexual preference laws have clearly changed to focus on multicultural  and individual freedoms.

These changes have been rapid in the last fifty years and behaviour that was accepted in the 1960’s is definitely  considered inappropriate today.

Great strides have been made decreasing sexual abuse and the basic tenant that all people are equal is continuously becoming more entrenched in our day to day actions.

Social groups have great power and group think is a powerful underlying driver of social change.  The groups power of censure and disdain can be more effective than guns and bombs (less destructive too ).

Punishing Past Misdeeds

This leads me to my main point of todays post.  Canada’s prime minister is currently being shamed for inappropriate behaviour he practiced over 18 years ago. That is inappropriate by todays standards not back then.

Respect for everyone should be timeless so I don’t condone the prime ministers behaviour in anyway but in truth back at the time he dresses in black face few would have considered it to be inappropriate.