Are we free within society?

We often find ourselves with the doubt whether we are or we are not free within society. Although, what is freedom and up to what point would we, be considered legitimately "free" in society? According to the Oxford Dictionary, freedom is "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants, the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved, the state of not being a sub". This is the moment where we ask ourselves, are we free?

According to the "Are we free within society" article, sociologists agree that society and culture influences the way we think, feel and act, however, they differ on whether we are free or not, this, considering 2 different approaches: political overtones and conservative overtones. Personally, I believe that one can never truly be free within society. Simply, because we live in a society that allows us to do whatever we want, under certain predetermined limits (rules/norms) among our surroundings; whether it is at home, school, work etc. 

In the actuality, we live in an era were opinions reign; you choose what to wear, what to say, what to eat and even what to think. Nevertheless, each of these decisions is indirectly being influenced by our surroundings; by the way we were raised, treated and even by the persuasion we allow others to have on us. (peer pressure) Each of these factors demands us to act a certain way; for example: religion. We are all free to choose what to believe and in who to believe. Personally, I was raised christian, despite the influence my mom has had in my christian beliefs, each of the things for which I stand for, are completely personal preferences, opinions, and most importantly, from my own experiences. However, if I decided not to believe in God, not any of the things that my mom could do, would change my mind, because I am free to believe whatever I choose to. Although, my free-willed decision comes in handy with rules and behavioral expectations which I most certainly follow (moral values), because, I have a status and a role to fulfill.

Just like this, there are many other examples which are proven to set us free, but at the same time, limit us. We are free to dictate who we want to become in life, who we want to marry, whether we want to have children or not, among others. Although, on our daily basis we find ourselves limited; at home, school, and even at work, we ought to behave properly and follow rules.  As humans, we want freedom, we require and demand it, yet, we also need order, therefore, even without realizing, we limit ourselves to behave a specific way, whether it is a proper manner or not.