The Axiom Of Respect
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
The rescue of 29-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard, after she was held captive and repeatedly raped for 18 years by Phillip Garrido, has raised a lot of questions about Stockholm syndrome and the confusing relationship that sometimes occurs between captives and their captors. ("Victims Of Repeated Abuse Suffer Complex Trauma")
What is Stockholm syndrome? Granted I am not a psychologist, but according to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, Stockholm syndrome is: "A phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to his or her captor."
Time's "Stockholm Syndrome" is a very informative article on the condition’s history:
[Stockholm syndrome] was first widely recognized after the Swedish bank robbery that gave it its name. For six days in August 1973, thieves Jan-Erik Olsson and Clark Olofsson held four Stockholm bank employees hostage at gunpoint in a vault. When the victims were released, their reaction shocked the world: they hugged and kissed their captors, declaring their loyalty even as the kidnappers were carted off to jail. Though the precise origin of the term Stockholm syndrome is debated, it is often attributed to remarks during a subsequent news broadcast by the Swedish criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who had assisted the police during the robbery.
The article also mentions many other high profile cases in which Stockholm syndrome, "also known as terror-bonding or traumatic bonding," seems to have played a part: Patty Hearst helped the Symbionese Liberation Army rob a bank after being kidnapped by them in 1974; Shawn Hornbeck, who was "kidnapped and held captive by pizzeria worker Michael Devlin in 2002 for more than four years, identified himself as Shawn Devlin when he contacted the police to report a stolen bike just 10 months after his abduction"; and Natascha Kampusch was quoted as sympathetic to her captor Wolfgang Priklopil in a documentary, even though he "abducted [her] at age 10 and held [her] for eight years in a windowless cellar."
Interestingly, while it is not Stockholm syndrome, my experience has shown me that it is not uncommon for abused children to have a similarly confusing relationship with their abusive parents. Oftentimes, these children make excuses to defend their parents' behavior, try desperately to please their parents, and even go so far as to believe that they deserve the cruel behavior they suffer at the very hands of the people whose duty it is to protect and care for them.
As adults, many abused children continue to allow their parents to demean them, intimidate them, falsely accuse them, and belittle them. Alas, these "adults" can be reduced to acting like children by the mere sound of their parents' voices. If this is you, please know that you are not alone. Also realize that you don't have to be afraid of your parents any longer and you can break free from their lifelong grip. It isn't easy, but you can stand up for yourself.
According to Magna Sententia, parents have no right to treat their children disrespectfully, and whether you are 5 or 65, you have every right to be treated respectfully by the people in your life, including your parents.
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.