Let's talk about my pet peeve. Uggs. Uggs on college campuses. Uggs in the supermarket. Girls in Uggs. Questionable men in Uggs. Babies in Uggs. Anyone in motherfucking Uggs. I cannot stand this trend, and to be honest, it has gotten completely out of hand.
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| I mean, what? Aren't you sweaty? YOU'RE IN THE DESERT. |
And so, Uggs were born. And my nightmare began.
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| Black hair, black Uggs. Blonde hair, blonde Uggs. Here's a secret: you both are the worst, ever. |
Normative social influence is defined by social psychologists as influence resulting from a person's desire to gain the approval of others or to avoid disapproval. It is one of two reasons for conformity found in human behavior. The other reason, informational social influence, is influence resulting from a person's willingness to accept others' opinions on reality. While informational social influence is (shockingly) based on information, normative social influence is based instead on the fads and trends of idiotic teenage girls. Just kidding- but not really.
The Ugg Boot phenomenon is a horrible, but excellent, but horrible, example of normative social influence in action. On the sleek and streamlined Ugg Boot Australia website, it states that,
"In 2000, UGG Sheepskin boots were first featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things® and Oprah emphatically declared that she “LOOOOOVES her UGG boots.” From that point on, the world began to notice."And notice it did. Ugg boots became one of the most successful fads of the 21st century. While the boots may have been created for men, it is women that have taken the trend to the next level. Celebrities, stay-at-home-moms, elementary-age prima donnas, and of course, my collegiate peers can be seen glued into their Ugg boots year round. For example, the gorgeous valley surrounding James Madison U is presently dancing ever so sweetly into spring. It is hot out. But I can still venture out onto the quad any given weekday and find at least a handful of girls wearing their Uggs. Proudly.
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| Everything about this picture makes me feel uncomfortable. |
The sheer power and ferocity of normative social influence is the only logical reason I can think of for Ugg's success. I know in my heart that if girls would just look down at their feet when trudging to class, or gallivanting through the mall, or going on a date, that they would realize what a bad fashion decision they have made. Because honestly, nothing is worse than a cute girl in an awesome outfit, who ends the outfit in Ugg Boots. For me, the act is synonymous with having beautiful, shapely, muscular legs that turn despondently into cankles. It's unfortunate. And it must be stopped.
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| Stopped at all costs. |
Normative social influence is not always evil. Sometimes, humans can band together for good. In fact, a group identity is usually healthy. We see lasting social influence in school relationships, friendships, families, and within almost all peer groups. And thankfully, fashion trends come and go.
But until the Ugg Boot is long gone, my nonconformist feet will continue to stick it to the man.
In Vans.
