Advanced societies such as Australia have become markedly more `individualistic' over recent decades. Individuals are encouraged to develop their own identity-defining tastes and preferences, to define and pursue their individual career and life goals, to take more responsibility for their individual health and security. While some of us embrace these new freedoms and responsibilities, others experience them as a burden and are increasingly stressed by their isolation from traditional forms of community support. The subject explores the social origins, dimensions and consequences of contemporary forms of individualism.