Direct Power Blocks Examples

A person might experience a manifestation of oppression and may be faced with direct and indirect power blocks. The direct power blocks are actions that inhibit you from getting what you need to be successful or basic needs. They occur when negative valuations are applied directly by agents of our major social institutions. For example, an individual could be discriminated by their own family because they have a different skin tone than the rest of the family. Racism, sexism and classism are just a few examples of direct power blocks. Direct power blocks limit life choices and pose threats to the development of competence, self-direction, and self-esteem.
Indirect power blocks occur throughout a person’s developmental process and are mediated
Although she told her parents, they accused her of lying and being a whore. Her mom and stepfather even beat her causing her to never speak of the problem again and having to live with the fear that her stepbrother could do whatever he wanted with her. Likewise, during Saundra’s development, her mom neglected her and only gave her attention when she did something wrong or to punish her. A lot of the direct power blocks in the case also have to do with Saundra’s boyfriend, Erik. For instance, Erik got enraged when he found out Saundra was on birth control and did not tell him. Saundra should have the right to do whatever she wants with her body, but in this case, her boyfriend did not allow her to take control of her own decisions. In addition, Erik caused Saundra to have problems at her job resulting in her getting fired from a job she actually enjoyed. Again, Erik wanted to control Saundra’s life by not allowing her to see her friends. Furthermore, Erik abusing Saundra is a direct power block because he had power over her. Additionally, just by Saundra living at the same place as her abusive boyfriend prevents her from feeling safe in her own home. These direct power blocks are affecting her current situation because they are not permitting her see her personal resources required to develop the needed
An example of an indirect power block that Saundra faced was growing up knowing that her mom did not really want her, which caused many personal issues. In addition, Saundra’s mom telling her that she was never going to be a good wife or that she wasn’t good enough made her feel unworthy. Saundra herself even admitted that all these comments would make her feel “small and unloved”. Because Saundra is afraid of being alone, she continues to stay with her boyfriend in order to feel a connection with someone. Consequently, Saundra’s boyfriend verbally, physically, and emotionally abusing her caused her to feel self-hatred for never being the perfect. Saundra feels that she deserves what she is getting because of the negativity she has been receiving from these people. Other forms of indirect power blocks in the case were when Saundra was in the shelter and denied food because she wanted to stay thin for her boyfriend. Saundra self-monitoring what she eats in order to please other people has been a negative reinforcement to her self-conscious. Finally, Saundra minimizes her experiences by comparing herself to others in the shelter and claiming that her issues are not as