The Butterfly's Dilemma, as first coined by Dr Binma is the phenomenon of individuals experiencing inner conflict based on individualism vs assimilation.
To quote Dr Binma, "The colourful variety is one of the reasons most people cherish butterflies. However, when placed next to most moths, dreary and dull, the butterfly stands out. It is percieved as not normal, which in many parts of society is a synonym for not good."
"If we were able to place a butterfly into a container full of brown moths and give the butterfly a choice to turn as dull as a moth, what would happen? The butterfly would have to make a choice, they'd be allowed to fit in and be "normal" but they would have to give up everyone's about them that made them special - even if it's the characteristic everyone praises them for. When the desires of being authentic and being accepted contradict each other, an emotional dilemma is created."
Even though the Butterfly's Dilemna is used to describe any situation where self-expression is compressed to fit societal needs, it is more common within minority groups, e.g. disabled people, people of colour, queer people, etc.
Log in to continue reading article...
