Social Insecurity

In my last post, I discussed what the relationship was between insecurities/fears and self-esteem issues. I had the time to ponder about what the relationship was between insecurities/fears and society. Because I do know that society puts pressure on its citizens to become fierce competition, and always to become the best out of any category. So my question was, how does society play in personal insecurities and fears?

I looked up "insecurity," "society," and not "job." I came upon this article relating insecurity/anxiety to self choice. In it, the author explains that people care too much about others' opinions and advice to dictate their lives. Following other people's advice does not actually make the individual a better person, it actually increases their anxiety and insecurity. It even provides a real life story about a woman who bought self-help books on how to become a better person suffered from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. The article concludes that "But to manage this anxiety, individuals have been advised not only to work longer and harder but also to invest in themselves, manage themselves, and continually improve themselves. The less predictable and controllable the life course has become, the more individuals have been urged to chart their own courses, to master their destinies and make themselves over" (Salecl, 8).

Salecl, R. (2009). Society of Choice. Differences: A Journal Of Feminist Cultural Studies, 20(1), 157-180. doi:10.1215/10407391-2008-020

I absolutely did not think of  how living in a consumer driven world would lead to increased insecurity and anxiety. Yet, I could see how this works. People are obsessed with the idea to make himself/herself better. All around us, we see advertisement, books, magazines, websites, etc. to improve our work ethic, physique, relationships, organizational skills, social skills, etc. I never realized how much society can have an effect on our self-esteem like that.