Power, Privilege and Choice
Power is the ability of people to influence and control other people to perform certain tasks or duties while privilege is an advantage, favor or right especially given to a person, a group of people or a class, which is withheld, from other people (Botha 152). Privilege is a crucial phenomenon in the society since privileged people hold power thus creating society’s framework of laws, values and institutions. A choice, on the other hand, is an option, decision or opportunity to select something. First, privilege goes hand in hand with power. Privileged people are likely to be in positions of power. They dominate politics, economic well-being, have influence over the media and hold executive positions in large organizations. On the other hand, a person can have privileges without a choice (Botha 156). Being privileged is not a choice.
Those who encounter privileges, the classification may be out of the unconscious act classify people. One can be privileged without choosing, for instance; it is difficult for those receiving privileges to be aware of special treatment given to them. It is as a result of receiving these rights throughout their lives. Whereas a choice can be eliminated, it is tough to remove privileges because people are not aware of the reasons why they treat certain people in certain ways. The institution’s laws and values created by those in power with the needs of the oppressed seen as secondary. To gain rights and powers, the non-privileged should identify with the privileged and adhere to the framework created by them. Choice and power are related. Every person has the authority to select his decisions before doing something. It is worth noting that a person who lacks the power to choose cannot make right decisions (Botha 159).
Experiences and Perspective
Experiences, that is childhood upbringing, culture, faith, values current circumstances and character influences our view. We always look at situations and events and interpreted what people say basing on our set of experiences that help us form our beliefs. Adverse childhood experiences affect adult life negatively. These experiences may include physical neglect, emotional and sexual abuse. Adults who experience child abuse have access to diseases such as mental health problems, problems with the immune system, affected sleep, lower pain threshold and negative behaviors like drug abuse and suicide attempt.
Secondly, culture is part of an experience and has an impact on one’s perspective. For instance, people from China exhibit greater sensitivity to speaker’s perspective than those in the United States when resolving ambiguous situations. People from different cultures view things differently as seen from the concept of Chinese and Americans (Botha 158).
Effects of Perception on Willingness to engage in Human Trafficking
Human trafficking has been defined as the trade of women and children for immoral purposes. A person’s willingness to engage in human trafficking on behalf of others depends on their perspective. It can be because of stigma associated with sexual exploitation during childhood, poverty, unemployment, mental problems and political corruption. These people may be in need of significant things hence traffickers often deceive through false promises of opportunities that await them in more affluent countries like the United States. One common risk factor for girls involved in sexual trafficking may be childhood abuse (Salt 32).
Works Cited
Botha, Johan. “Power and Privilege.” Safe Spaces. SensePublishers, 2012. 151-167.
Salt, John. “Trafficking and human smuggling: A European perspective.” International Migration 38.3 (2000): 31-56.