I'll say it right off the bat: personally, I think that norms, rules, and order have their raison d'être. Civilized society is based on norms and laws that allow for healthy coexistence among citizens. Where there are no clear laws that are enforced, there is usually disorder and anarchy. And where there is disorder and anarchy, there is no well-being, no progress. I like well-being. Respect for rules is usually learned at home. With the first letters we learn, we are taught what is right and what is wrong. My parents, and especially my father, raised my sisters and me with a lot of discipline and respect for the rules.

Both at home and outside the home, rules are learned by example. They show us what is right, especially if we make mistakes, if we act in a way that hurts ourselves or others, or if we break established rules. Often, correction is accompanied by punishment, because it seems that punishment helps us not to forget the mistake we made. As I said, I grew up in a home where discipline and rules were important. In order to avoid the punishment that my older sisters received, who were rebellious and sometimes did not want to follow the rules that my father imposed, I preferred to obey and follow the rules.

Dad was excessively strict. To the point of constantly imposing his way of thinking and acting on his family, his wife, and his four daughters. Did I not rebel because I was happy with my father's excessive control and discipline? Did I think that everything he said or did was right? No, I wasn't happy, but I tried to follow his rules so as not to be punished, out of fear. Imposing rules just because, because I think it's best, because I feel like it, because I'm in charge here, usually leads to rebellion, rejection, or submission, lack of will. I don't think any of those extremes are good. I was a fearful child and teenager, afraid of the world, with low self-esteem. Because in that home where I lived, I couldn't express myself, I couldn't make choices. The world of a single color, black and white.

Rules and agreements exist because they are necessary; they help us to live together harmoniously. I agree with the existentialist philosopher Jean Paul Sartre's statement: “My freedom ends where that of others begins.” I am not a fan of anarchism, of freedom at all costs. If what I consider my freedom affects others, harms them, I must rethink the limits of my freedom. The order my parents taught me has been very useful to me; when I am disorderly, it is fatal for me. But if I want to impose absolute order on another person, that is not good. I believe that disorder and anarchy have done a lot of damage to societies in the third world, where I come from. I think both extremes are bad. People should be educated to comply with the rules necessary for good coexistence, but they should also be able to choose and decide to what extent they want to exercise their right to freedom, without harming others. This community, for example, has rules, and every time I write here, I try to follow them, because I want to participate in this community.

What do you think, dear reader? Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed a happy weekend.