Social norms and values are based on social structure. For me, what defines a social structure is the people, globalization, lifestyle, religion, humanity, free speech, and other ethical attributes. These social structures, values, and norms have a direct impact on the life of any individual. A child growing up in two different societies might have two different opinions but the value judgment of their opinion is the same, as it is based on ethicality, humanity, or truthfulness. As a human being a social animal, can't move away from society and lives its life building social relations. Someone who can't adjust move to the other place, someone who can adjust makes a better reputation(might be short term ), or people will simply hide their need and will try to keep adjusting. So, while trying to adjust killing all your inner desire, thoughts, and value, the phrase or sentence "What will people say?" comes to action.
What will people say?
This is widely accepted context in Nepal. In a country like Nepal, several thoughts are against social structure, values, and norms. Nepal sill practices the norms like untouchability, biasedness in intercaste marriage, holding high professional jobs, and so on. While anyone who wants to move away from all these contexts will shift to a certain place. And, most of the people just give up their dreams with a heavy heart, because they are made to realize "What will people say?". The whole social structure keeps on staying the same if some brave (so-called deviant) doesn't take any action to follow their dreams in a better way. And, if people start doing what they love with a good heart, a word called " Change" makes a home in any society.
Is it always bad to think "What will people say?"
No, it's not always bad. Sometimes we tend to make a decision in perceived value, and its good to analyze the opinion of your loved one. They might have experienced a same feeling during your age. In some situations, "what will people say?" holds a strong power to spread humanity, love, care, and affection. While people not following these life sutras will be called deviant and will be bounded by legal rules and values. However, deviance has own contextual meaning as per a certain society, the ethicality, and humanity has to be referred to in one's work while making any decision.
How to avoid " What will people say?"
To bring any change, one requires a brave heart and intellectual strength( to hold stress). The ways to bring change in society will start from oneself. Living up to your dreams, with love and positivity creates waves of stories. And, these stories will shape the future of coming generations. The issue must be discussed with your loved ones and look forward to coming to a conclusion. If you are true to your value, you have to be bold enough to make your decision even the world is against you.
~Spreading Love