Does Labeling Relieve Us of Personal Responsibility?
One morning on the radio I heard a news story about a local company recalling ink jet cartridges that were not properly labeled as dangerous for children. While I am a supporter of labeling, I can’t help but wonder whether things have gone too far. This seems to be yet another indicator that individuals in our society do not accept responsibility for themselves. I don’t think that labeling is necessary to tell me that a child should not ingest ink. I already knew that, didn’t you?
What are the costs associated with our failure to be responsible for ourselves and our own decisions? One cost is economic. Labels, recalls, and law suits cost money. The consumer eventually pays those costs, not the companies or manufacturers. It is passed along to us. I don’t really want to pay a higher cost for my ink jet cartridge just because someone else isn’t responsible enough to supervise their children.
Psychologically there is a cost as well. In very subtle ways, allowing some company to be responsible for our own decision making puts people into a victim role. They no longer feel like change agents in their own lives and eventually forget how to think for themselves. How many times have you heard someone that has committed a crime that blamed others for their own actions? How many times have you done it? While it may seem to some people to be quite a leap from labeling to criminal action, I don’t really think so. Both are examples of our failure to accept responsibility for ourselves.
It is time that each individual accepts responsibility for their own decisions, their own behaviors, and their own futures. It is my belief that our failure to do so contributes greatly to the mental health concerns of many people and the dangerousness of our society.
Where to begin? Here are several ways to change the current “it’s not my responsibility” trend.
1. Parents, don’t rescue your children from their mistakes. If they are caught cheating at school, don’t do anything to minimize their consequences. No form of explanation or plea-bargaining should be accepted. This doesn’t mean being judgmental or cruel. Just allow the consequences to unfold.
2. Employees, don’t blame your boss for your own unhappiness or financial situation. You are responsible for your employment situation. If you choose to stay in a job that does not satisfy you or meet your needs, it is not because you have to. You choose to stay there, perhaps to avoid even more unpleasant consequences. Nonetheless, you are responsible for remaining employed.
3. Wives, husbands, and partners, don’t blame your unhappiness on your mate. No one is responsible for your happiness but you. Take responsibility and create a happy life, with or without your spouse.
4. Consumers, stop blaming businesses for our economic situation. Businesses could not create this situation by themselves. We are responsible when we buy poorly priced consumer goods. We are co-conspirators in our own problem.
5. In your daily living, try to “catch” yourself putting your own responsibility onto others. When you find yourself blaming someone or something else, take a closer look to find at least some way that you can take responsibility for yourself. I think you will be happier in the long run.
Dr. Leanna Manuel is the director and supervising psychologist for CCA Companies, LLC. Dr. Manuel is a graduate of Wright State University School of Professional Psychology and has experience in medical and mental health care settings. She was a featured psychologist on MTV: True Life.