CRINGE CULTURE AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER

BEA AND ELLA BEING THE MOST CRINGE; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

Cringe culture exists in plenty of ways and places, but is especially common throughout the years of middle and high school. Cringe can be defined as an instinctual reaction of disgust, and/or second-hand embarrassment, whilst cringe culture is when the cringe instinct is used as the basis for a person’s entire understanding of another person in a widespread manner. With all the changes going on during post-elementary school years, and the scramble to fit in, it’s no surprise that cringe culture takes hold.

When prompted, many responders shared that they found something to be cringe when it made them feel uncomfortable, or similarly caused them to feel second hand embarrassment. The actions they cited as causing them to cringe were most commonly public displays of affection, people being outward with interests that the responders found uncomfortable, and failing to be funny.

Upon being called cringe or having their actions deemed cringy by their peers, numerous found themselves avoiding performing the actions which brought about such a reaction. While we didn’t collect the exact reasons for their avoidance, it can be inferred that it’s to avoid being called or considered cringe by their peers.

The act of shaming people for being different isn’t new, many people hear arguments about racism and sexism and believe that being against discrimination only extends to things people can’t control. However, in order to truly accept someone for who they are you need to accept who they are as shown through their choices and hobbies as well as their circumstances.

Things commonly considered cringe are being different, enthusiastically enjoying something, being a part of a certain demographic (furries, queers, neurodiverse, etc.), and being unfunny. Oftentimes, none of these things are particularly aggressive, nor are they attempting to harm those nearby. However, they are shamed regardless.

Insulting or belittling those one considers weird isn’t exclusively a human behavior. It’s quite common in the wild, as standing out too much can easily lead to being killed, and behaving too abnormally can be quite the threat. 

Humanity has long surpassed the need for this, so what reason could we have for continuing it?

The most obvious answer would be social status. Being too happy and carefree is considered childish the older one gets, and nobody wants to be looked at like a child in these later developmental years. So, to avoid being seen as childish and cringy, teens will demean such appearances in others, enforcing the already established dislike of joy and whimsy in adolescents.

While sharing enjoyment and happiness is considered too cringe for many, one may wonder how exactly this could affect people’s sense of self and joy going forwards. As interesting as it could be, the effects of cringe culture appear simple. It results from some disliking differences, and wishing to be seen as truly adult, encouraging them to discourage that which they see as childish. Hence, they enforce the disdain of whimsy and uniqueness, placing those they demean in a precarious position; to give up and join in, or take the hard road of being open with themselves. One gives in and continues the cycle of cringe culture, and the other struggles to stand in the center of a whirlpool. Either way, it becomes tough to stand both tall and true, but to fight to be happy is a battle worth withstanding.