What is a Standard?

Standards- a level of quality or attainment, an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.

This word can have a large variety of connotations. It is used frequently to describe different foundations for things. There are certain standards to things. There are standardized tests; a college curriculum also has standard classes (gen ed class) and so forth. This word can also be used in context as somebody’s standard of living or a standard of care. This word suggests that people are all-different and even creates a divide among people in society but at the same time there is still a similar foundation or “standard”. However, the word standard suggests that there is a divide among people in society and that some people have higher standards then others.

            This word also creates the argument that as a society we must all reach for a certain goals or standards. Students all reach for standards, we reach for all A’s or A’s and B’s and so forth. But is this really a standard or is just a goal. What is the difference between a standard and a goal? A standard is something that the majority of society will acknowledge to be true. For Example, a college degree is a standard of being educated. Where a college degree can also be a goal for a particular individual. A goal is something a person aspires to do and a standard is more something that society acknowledges as a whole.

            In order to better analyze the meaning of these words we must ask ourselves several questions: What does it mean to have standards? How does having standards limit us? Having standards means you are going to live your life up to a certain potential. Standards however can also be individual to a person they are not only seen by society as a whole. Standards also limit individuals and society in general because once a certain standard is reached there is no longer to longing to attain and reach for that standard. It limits society in this way because after the standard is reached few people feel the need to go above and beyond what is already acceptable.

            This word is used in my research because consumerism can be considered a standard of living. In today’s society there is a standard of giving when it comes to the holiday season. There is a lot of pressure to rush about and purchase gifts for family members; this standard is an example of how society today is limited by the traditional “standards” of the holiday season.

            This simple word, standard, may seem like a very simple word in the dictionary that means a level or foundation of how we live our lives. However after further contemplation it is very clear that there is a much deeper meaning to the word then just the superficial meaning. The word standard reveals a lot about society and what shapes society.