Autonomy and Social Relationships, Essay Example

Autonomy is demonstrated when individuals are able to make their own choices.  It is influenced by both internal and external factors.  Having a strong sense of autonomy is an important component in the ability for individuals to have healthy social relationships.  Platonic and romantic relationships have a strong impact on an individual’s sense of autonomy.  However, an individual’s sense of autonomy affects how a person will interact in their relationships.  The purpose of this paper is to explore the personal autonomy and how it relates to social relationships.

Autonomy constitutes the ability of an individual to be their own person (Christman, 2015).  For an individual to truly possess autonomy, they must have the ability to make up their mind and act accordingly.  There are many circumstances where individuals know their own mind, but lack the ability to carry out their desires.  According to Buss (2014), the “capacity for self-government is vulnerable to any number of assaults.”   Buss (2014) reports that individuals can be “deprived of their autonomy by brainwashing, depression, anxiety, fatigue; they can succumb to compulsions and addictions.”  It is difficult for people to have the ability to govern themselves without being subjected to outside influences.  Social pressures and attitudes can often disturb the self-esteem and autonomy of an individual.  These forces make it difficult to govern ourselves and “undermine our authority” with their influence (Buss, 2014).   Christman (2015) also states that autonomy is often dependent on social support and the social recognition of the individual’s status to their “capacities for self-trust, self-esteem, and self-respect.”   Despite the fact that independence of spirit is a key ingredient of autonomy, an individual’s self-worth can be damaged by negative social conditions.  Social recognition and/or support for this self-trusting status is required for the full enjoyment of these (Christman, 2015).  For true personal autonomy to occur, individuals must be recognized by society for it to have true value.

Personal autonomy is the right for individuals to determine how they live their lives, and is important in therapeutic situations (creative-personal-growth, 2006).  Christman (2015) differentiates personal autonomy from freedom, as freedom concerns the ability to act without external or internal constraints and having the resources and power to make one’s goals effective.  Christman (2015) uses the example of haddicted smokers to elaborate.  Even though smokers in general are autonomous individuals, they are unable to control their behavior regarding smoking, and .do not possess the freedom to fulfill their desires and quit.

Autonomy is especially important in romantic relationships.  All too often, people will embark in relationships and lose their sense of self.  However, loss of autonomy is not healthy and can signify codependence.  White (2010) states that autonomy can be completely retained in romantic relationships.  In healthy and committed relationships, no independence is lost; individual change their perspective and become more focused on relationships.  People only lose their sense of autonomy in unhealthy and codependent relationships.  Retaining autonomy in romantic relationships is dependent on an individual’s partner.  Some people help others to feel a sense of autonomy and self-worth, while others are vampires and drain people of their energy and self-esteem.  People who help others feel good usually have a strong sense of personal autonomy, while people who seek to damage others usually have a very weak sense of self-worth.

Autonomy is important because when individuals do not act in accordance with what feels appropriate, severe mental confusion is the result (creative-personal-growth).  Claiming autonomy for oneself makes a declaration and denies that anyone else is able to have it (Buss, 2014).  By doing this, one claims responsibility for their own actions and masters their own fate.

References

Buss, S. (2014). Personal Autonomy. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2014/entries/personal-autonomy/.

Christman, J. (2015). Autonomy in moral and political philosophy. The Stanford Encyclopedia of  Philosophy.  Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2015/entries/autonomy-moral/creative-personal-growth. (2006). Personal autonomy is vital to personal growth. Retrieved from http://www.creative-personal-growth.com/personal-autonomy.html

White, M. (2010, May 13). Does Love Threaten Autonomy. Psychology Today. Retrieved December 18, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/maybe-its-just-me/201005/does-love-threaten-autonomy