Discussion Do you think strict prohibition ends up making behaviour more extreme?

[Forever Sleep]

I suppose this relates to how much freedom we should be allowed to try potentially harmful things and practices. For example, drugs, alchohol. Even sexual practices. Do you suppose there's a need in us to try these sorts of things? But then, maybe not all of us. I don't feel desperate to try drugs. I drink alcohol but, not really excessively.

But, when we are prohibited from these things, if we happen to rebel, is the result more intense and excessive than it would be otherwise? Again, maybe not for everyone but, generally, do you have a belief about what is best? Total freedom, harsh restrictions or, something in the middle?

I remember a friend once described someone she knew who was brought up deeply religious. No sex before marriage etc. She said her friend ended up in pretty much an orgy! So, does too much oppression often lead to more extreme rebellion do you think?

Do you have a stance on whether all drugs should be legalised for instance? On the one hand, I understand it. They could at least be regulated that way. Make sure they aren't cut with a bunch of toxins. Cut down the appalling abuse in the distribution of drugs- mules etc. There again, some substances are surely so addictive. It seems inevitable they will just consume people's lives. I suppose I tend to think some drugs should be illegal really. I feel like I would love heroin. Lol. I enjoyed codeine. But, it would no doubt screw me up. So, better really that I don't try it.

 

[huntrix#1fan]

I think so. I mean look at history. The u.s attempted to ban alcohol and ended up with a much worse problem. the d.a.r.e program just made things worse and caused more kids to be interested in drugs. areas with no sex education have the highest teen pregnancy rates. strict prohibition never works

 

[Pluto]

 

[TAW122]

I would say in a sense, yes it certainly can and I'm a living example of such. I could say that my authoritarian and paternalistic upbringing led me to behave more poorly IRL (especially when I was younger or even in my younger adult life, like my 20's and even sometimes in my 30's but I have mellowed out, matured and calmed down a lot (that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't have a bad day if enough bad things set me off or put me in a bad headspace... though I digress).

While there are certainly people, that no matter how strict the prohibition is, they still managed to control their behaviors and not become too extreme, but are more/less normal and in the middle.

As for drugs and such, I think legalization but with strict safety measures to ensure it doesn't get heavily abused or cause harm to others, directly or indirectly would be a good step in the right direction. Even as someone who does not use recreational drugs, nor do I smoke cigarettes, and very seldomly drink socially (only like for events or special occasions).

So in the end, I think strict prohibition has more harm than good and perhaps even by human nature, it's natural to want to do things that are 'forbidden' or at least the more taboo the exclusive or unique it is. Having a middle ground, such as allowance and maybe restrictive measures/limits on the harmful things would provide some modicum of balance, where the mystic and exclusivity is taken away or heavily reduced, and also permissive enough where people can still indulge responsibly.