11. Moving beyond physical prisons built of steel and concrete, what psychologic
ID: 3446258 • Letter: 1
Question
11. Moving beyond physical prisons built of steel and concrete, what psychological prisons do we create for ourselves and others? if prisons are seen as forms of control which limit individual freedom, how do they differ from the prisons we create through racism, sexism, ageism, poverty, and other social institutions? Extend your discussion to focus on: The illusion of prison created in marriages where one spouse becomes 'guard" and the other becomes prisoner The illusion of prison created in neurosis where one aspect of the person becomes the prisoner who is told he/she is inadequate and hopeless, while another aspect serves as a personal guard The silent prison of shyness, in which the shy person is simultaneously his or her own guard and prisoner ° oExplanation / Answer
Every one of us in this world is living in a psychological prison. This prison is created either by self or by someone who is related to that person. We either continuously struggle to come out of those prisons or get used with the prison. These psychological prisons limit people functioning from their fullest potential. There are also few sociological prisons in the name of culture, norms etc.
For a long time people are fighting to break the prison of racism in the name of color, ethnicity etc. Although people have demolished the buildings of racism, its foundation is still present in the minds of people who still think of them as superior race. For long these people made others believe that color was superior and suppressed people from other race as if they were nothing.
Aged people are kept at home or in home for the aged. Most of the time, they are told that they won’t be able to function normally, so it is safe for them to be at home. They will not be allowed to certain things which they could do in reality. It’s because they are dependent on someone financially and physically.
Poor people are prevented from getting certain benefits and a decent life in the society because of their poverty. Everything in this world has a price and poor people are not able to afford it, so, they are limited in the functions of the society. They have to struggle for everything as the rich dominate all the facilities and fix a price for everything. Even the government works for the rich and not for the poor.
Women fought against for their right to voting, education, property and the right to choose what happens with their body. Now all these acted as prison for women by limiting them from acting beyond certain boundaries. Now they have dismantled this prison and function as equals.
Marriage is yet another prison where mostly women were prisoners so far but now it has become mutual. Either one of them controls the other or both of them control each other creating the prison walls to confine each other. This control extends in deciding what the other person should do, when they should do, with whom they should talk etc. They are also physically and sexually abused. Marriage is one of the toughest prisons to break.
Some people build prison around themselves and live in that prison. They limit themselves from exhibiting them in the society. They think they are not capable of doing something or achieving anything in life. Normally these comments are told by parents then teachers and finally it becomes part and parcel of their personality. They believe that they are good for nothing. Their confidence level is shattered and they themselves believe that they won’t accomplish anything in life. This inhibition limits them from functioning effectively.
Some people shy away from people. This is built over a period of time and they are frightened to face people and challenges. Stage fear is one of the biggest things these people face and they limit themselves from raising their hands, talking something openly or even asking for help. They lose more opportunities in their lives because of this psychological prison that they created for themselves.
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