Scared Straight Analysis

Fear is not only a major part of our emotions but it is a key element of life in general. Although it is true that with knowledge comes a certain degree of fear, crediting fear to be a motivational force is quite untrue in most cases. Terrifying someone may seem to work to a bystander, but changing human nature is a slow and grueling process. Fear, in most cases, is a temporary delusion that man learns to overcome and unravel with time. This usually occurs due to lack of proper knowledge. Man, for example, was afraid of fire when he first discovered it. But over the course of time he then realized that he could actually harness the same thing he was initially afraid of and use it for his own benefit. When at times situation do look unfavorable and frightening, people are attracted rather than being appalled. Kathy Feinstein touches on this point when she says that juveniles viewed “Scared Straight” as a dare and wanted to prove their courage. We can see this aspect in skydivers, wildlife explorers (e.g. the crocodile hunter) and …show more content…
When our freedom is threatened with the use of fear and repression, an onlooker might seem to think that our ways have been changed and fear has proved to be a motivational force, when it may be quite the contrary. Slavery is a great example to demonstrate this point. Even though the masters of the slaves had kept them at unease and subjugation, the slaves worked how their masters wanted them only till they got a chance to escape. Our response to terrorism is also a great example. Even though we are aware that terrorists might target our land anytime and we are somewhat in a constant fear, we refuse to give into their demands. Jonathan Edwards’ basic view of humanity is that people are vengeful. This implies that even though someone might have a façade of willful obedience, vengeance might be dwelling in the hearts, waiting for a chance to