Last Updated on April 17, 2026

What color do you like? If your answer is blue (grey or black) as a biologically or self-identified male or pink (red or purple) as a biologically or self-identified female, you might not like the color because of your own free will but because of cultural or social influence. According to Forbes, prenatal testing may have been a catalyst for the “pink-and-blue” gender divide (e.g., the gender reveal), starting in the mid-80s. When most do not question why blue is a boy color, while pink is a girl color, does free will really exist?

the role of social categorization

The role of social categorization is to stabilize a social environment and provide a stereotyped (steadfast) pathway for its people. This is why humans generally follow similar learning trajectories.

For example, irrespective of the local cultures and customs, legally speaking, minors are not allowed to make “real” decisions. From choosing between a private and public school to creating a daily routine, including habit formation and strength exploration, legal guardian(s) of a minor are fully responsible for all aspects of their life.

Can you tell if you like pink because it is your favourite color or an influence? To further investigate if you really like the color pink, the mere exposure effect can help you understand if the reason for your liking is that you’re more familiar with it.

• Scenario 1: Blend In With The Community

When you were a minor, did you often feel compelled to fit in to feel a sense of belonging? If so, you are more likely to seek social validation from others – such as immediate family members, peers and friends – as an adult as well. As a result, “liking pink” can be a conditioned response. Something familiar to you rather than your “free will”.

• Scenario 2: Seek Approval

Moreover, as a minor, whatever you do, you generally need the approval of authority figures, like your legal guardian(s) and teachers. In this case, if you’re encouraged to wear a pink shirt (read more about Pink Shirt Day, initiated by two Canadian grade 12 students in 2007) or your room is painted pink, the color pink might grow on you due to the mere exposure effect.

put people in boxes

Some believe that improving the accessibility of education is a beacon of hope for reformers and changemakers. From making more majors available to interested students from all backgrounds to breaking free from what’s expected by a patriarchal society, activists, changemakers or reformers have put great effort into creating a world where everyone is welcome and instilling freedom from all forms of discrimination in new minds.

However, this is, in fact, another way to put people in boxes. Take gender identity, for example. In British Columbia, Canada for instance, if a biological male believes he is a “she or they”, they can legally apply for “change of gender designation on birth certificates”. Another example is to categorize females or certain racial groups into marginalized or vulnerable populations. The 50 – 30 Challenge is a government initiative to encourage organizations to improve gender inequality and workplace equity by hiring more women and/or non-binary people and underrepresented groups.

These initiatives intend to break free from unfair, biased or irrelevant societal norms. However, such (affirmative) action, for example, creates another system that continues to promote social categorization, just in a different way.

The common misconceptions about free will

Historically, people born to powerful and wealthy families inherited family titles and estates. A patriarchal society gives males, in particular, not only recognition but also power over females. Therefore, males, in general, were raised to control, while females were to obey. Even though many have challenged this power structure, patriarchy still dictates modern human society. Contemporaries who have lived comfortably in a world specifically designed for them, naturally, would not prefer to see any changes. With this in mind, can you truly make decisions based on your own free will?

earn free will by attending higher education

For centuries, education has acted as the head of “the start of something new”. “Getting a formal education” was the only hope for less fortunate people to make a difference in their lives. Namely, an educational institution is where change begins, and the only pathway to self-actualization.

exercise free will in the name of the law

Democracy is a core value of a new world where the people (regardless of their gender, education, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status) have the authority to decide their local laws and legislation through voting rights. Politicians launch campaigns, including public debates, celebrity endorsement and political events to persuade (targeted) people to make their vote count. Everything looks like free will indeed exists as “people (without power) are the ones making decisions”.

the manipulation of will

Did you know your will – a thought, idea or decision that supposedly reflects your intention – can be manipulated? Thanks to technological advancements, the rise of social media and the Internet, not only people in your immediate circle and social environments but also the global climate can affect your well-being and decision-making processes. Try to answer the following 4 simple yet nuanced questions:

• What is your favourite color?

If you believe “red” is your favourite color, close your eyes and think again. What was the primary color of your clothes, backpack or room when you were little? What color of clothes did your primary caregivers and peers wear mostly? Considering your favourite cartoon character or influential figure, what color palette are they and what is their favourite color?

• What is your political view?

A close family or friend’s political view can somewhat affect yours, especially if you are a follower, not a thinker.

• What is your comfort food?

Comfort food, by definition, is food that has strong emotional ties to homemade food or childhood. This answer can be either what was provided to you as a child that comforted you or what you’ve discovered during adulthood that comforts you.

• Who do you trust more, a professor or construction worker?

The former is a worker by profession, while the latter is a worker by trade. If, without any context, a person introduces themselves as a professor or construction worker, who would you (rather) pay more attention to?

Does free will really exist?

Crystallized intelligence¹ plays a key role in your success if your very definition of success is fame, money and power. Your tenacity, networking skills and luck may help you hold a powerful (physical) position, but does it give you the freedom to act at your own discretion?

Positional power is not personal power

In modern times, a person born to a powerful family or given an opportunity by hardworking primary caregivers may receive the best education and medical care and have access to more resources, but they often do not have free will. Their path is very likely to be predetermined even before their birth. The only way to change their fate is to break financial ties with the family if there is no room for negotiation.

If a person lacks “personal power”, no matter what title they’ve inherited or achieved, they can share similar mental experiences to those who are not born privileged. Because mental health is for everyone, and mental illness does not discriminate. So far, there’s no known cure for chronic mental illness.

having A strong belief system creates free will

Many people believe that intelligence is fixed despite plenty of evidence suggesting otherwise. In a 2001 social experiment, a group of social psychologists instilled “intelligence is changeable”, rather than fixed, in both African American and European American college students, while the control group did not receive such a belief. It turned out that the experimental group outperformed the control group, and what’s more, the African American students benefited more from this belief – intelligence is pliable – than the European American students.

That is, your power of mind (belief system) plays a crucial part in your trajectories of cognitive development. While early intervention for any child who needs additional support has been consistently proven to improve their cognitive skills, such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language and social development, many still struggle to fit into society “without active treatment or intervention” during adulthood.

Owing to the inflexibility nature of many (not all) treatments and interventions, individuals receiving such support often struggle with “independent thinking”. Hence, prompt dependency.

Conditional free will exists

Compatibilism believes that humans, generally speaking, understand their moral responsibility and recognize local laws and regulations. For this reason, they may pause their actions or behaviour due to concerns about repercussions or consequences.

Conditional free will consequently exists because the influence of authority figures and social factors has considerably long-lasting effects.

On the other hand, attending higher education these days can be a double-edged sword. For example, a farmer’s child, if educated, could potentially (networking skills and local customs are important determinants of success) become a lawyer that fits into a social narrative. Conversely, it doesn’t actually resolve systemic issues caused by (traditional) social categorization but puts people in “more suitable boxes”.

This is because the current higher education system promotes standardized and rigid curricula. Obtaining a degree; therefore, doesn’t always guarantee personal growth or a sustainable future.

Education is the heart of social change; however, it is often believed to be offered by formal institutions. Free online human skills resources, such as Self-Help Blog and Webinars, are where you can start building your awareness at any point in your life. Make good use of available resources and seize your day by exercising conditional free will moving forward.

endnote

Crystallized intelligence¹: Refers to the ability to use acquired knowledge to perform tasks.

references

Elsesser, K. (2023, July 11). Here’s How Pink Became A Girly Color. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2023/07/11/heres-how-pink-became-a-girly-color/

Berelevant Network [berelevantnetwork]. (2025, February 26). Pink Shirt Day [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGjAc5Bu6h3/?img_index=1

Government of Canada. (2025, February 11). The 50 – 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/50-30-challenge-your-diversity-advantage

American Psychological Association. (2003, May 28). Believing You Can Get Smarter Makes You Smarter. https://www.apa.org/topics/intelligence/learning-smarter

Pecorino, P.A. (n.d.). Introduction To Philosophy. Queensborough Community College, CUNY.
https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%207%20Freedom/Freedom_Compatibilism.htm

Berelevant Network. (2024, June 17). Develop Your Growth Mindset To Get A Different Result! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAT6oXee-DY