Advertising discourages people from being different individuals by making us all want to do the same and look the same.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people maintain that people’s individuality is disappearing because of advertising.Although this is true to some extent, it is still up to each of us to maintain our individuality.

On behalf of advertising, it is important to note that most advertising is targeted at large groups of consumers. Although that advertising encourages us all to wear the same brand of clothes, to drink the same brand of soft drink, or to shop at the same retail store, the advertisers are well aware that people have multiple choices and will make buying decisions based on their individual preferences.

Although some people will succumb to the conformity encouraged by advertisers, most of people still will buy a product or service mostly because it fits who they are and who they want to be. For example, a person might see a television commercial promoting a specific brand of athletic shoes that is being promoted by a popular professional basketball player.

The person viewing the advertisement might buy that brand or because they aspire to be like the professional athlete in the commercial. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the consumer still has the free will to determine whether he will buy or not buy those shoes.

Although advertising seems to encourage conformity and discourage individuality, people still have the free will to determine whether they will conform or not and whether they will buy a product or not. If a person wants to maintain their individuality in regards to using a specific product, they can certainly choose to use an alternative product.