[Quantum]

What does it mean to be integrated in society? If one dresses themselves in the attire common to that society but leads a mostly solitary or an alternative lifestyle, does that make them integrated? Should one be required to participate in social functions, adhere to social conventions or hold certain values deemed the "norm" by society or the state? Most of us live in an individualistic society where we can do our own thing as long as it is not illegal.

If one does not follow the norms of society but is not damaging to others, are they undermining social cohesion and making the country weaker?

[Rejn]

What does it mean to be integrated in society?

Maybe there can be multiple answers to this question. To be culturally integrated is to adopt aspects of the dominant culture in a way that suppresses conflicting ideas and norms. To be socially integrated is to be physically engaging with society around you. You can be socially integrated within an enclave, but to be socially integrated within a nation is another matter.

If one dresses themselves in the attire common to that society but leads a mostly solitary or an alternative lifestyle, does that make them integrated?

Overall, no. Culturally, yes.

Should one be required to participate in social functions, adhere to social conventions or hold certain values deemed the "norm" by society or the state? Most of us live in an individualistic society where we can do our own thing as long as it is not illegal.

I would say no. They shouldn't be required to do those things, but they shouldn't try to undermine those things either.

If one does not follow the norms of society but is not damaging to others, are they undermining social cohesion and making the country weaker?

It depends. Are they discouraging others from following the norms of society? Are they openly critical and hateful of the norms of society?

[anticlimacus]

What does it mean to be integrated in society?

When sociologists talk about integration they refer to either A) integrating institutions, such as schools and religious institutions or B) the degree to which agents can participate in social practices, such as economic practice, cultural practice, political practice, etc.

If one dresses themselves in the attire common to that society but leads a mostly solitary or an alternative lifestyle, does that make them integrated?

Perhaps, it depends. The issue of social integration, from a sociological perspective, however has less to do with isolated individual instances, and more with social groups, e.g. latinos integrating with the American economy, the issue of social integration of African-Americans living in the ghetto, etc.

Should one be required to participate in social functions, adhere to social conventions or hold certain values deemed the "norm" by society or the state? Most of us live in an individualistic society where we can do our own thing as long as it is not illegal.

To be sure, this is a political question, not necessarily a sociological question. This depends on what one is talking about. States, for instance, do have certain requirements of participation, such as paying taxes. These are objective and legal requirements. There are other tacit and informal requirements: e.g. it is not required that you not be a Muslim, but if you where Muslim garb at an airport you may get suspicious looks and even questioned.

"Individualism" or the idea that we achieve our own destiny, craft our own lives and lifestyles according to taste is more an ideological belief than a reality. It takes social cohesion and institutions to achieve such a belief system and social structure to make it a reality.

If one does not follow the norms of society but is not damaging to others, are they undermining social cohesion and making the country weaker?

We have to be careful not to take "Society" as a thing in itself. Society is built up of a multitude of social practices within a particular social and regional context that overlap in some specific traits. It is by no means monolithic, especially in most of the contemporary globalized world. There can be much conflict within society, or latent conflict, and it still be "cohesive".

[magnocrat]

In most cases society is a hugely variable large group and you can be intergrated as long as you keep within the law. In western countries you have tremendous scope but if you were a member of Isis your scope would be severely limited. In a strict religious community you would be very limited again.
In a western city people have died alone to be found days later. That is the advantage of very closely intergrated groups ; you are never alone. The interesting thing about us is we need others and we need space

[Angelamerkel]

Integration in a society means speaking the prevailing majority language, respecting the behavior norms and rules of the majority, and avoiding the use of language, dress, or behavior which makes them uncomfortable. For example, a member of a Papuan tribe would be expected to wear pants, shirt, and shoes if he lived in Frankfurt. He shouldnt light fires in his bathtub to roast a pig, and he shouldn't pick his nose and stick his snot on the wall in a public place.

On the other hand, an European trying to integrate in Papuan society shouldn't wear a winter coat and insist on having a private farm next to the village long house.