We explain what insecurity is, the origin of the term, its general meaning and its specific meaning in the emotional and civic sphere.
What is insecurity?
The word “insecurity” means, in a very wide range of contexts, the lack of security, that is, an idea similar to uncertainty, risk, not knowing what is going to happen.
This type of printing usually leads to distress or a feeling of being in dangergiven that human beings usually feel comfortable in predictable, repetitive and everyday situations, more than in those in which they do not know what to expect. It is a primitive and instinctive behavioral trait that we share with many animal species.
The word comes from Latin securitaswhose root is another previous Latin verb: curaretranslatable as “heal.” So what is safe is, in an ancestral sense, that which has a cure or that can be cured, fixed, composed, etc. Therefore, insecurity would be the feeling or perception that we are facing possible damage, that something irreparable, unsolvable could happen.
Although the term is used in areas as different as computing (linked to the vulnerability of systems to hackers), psychology and quality of life, it is in the latter two that it is most often used on a daily basis. Therefore, it is advisable to see each of them separately.
emotional insecurity
In the field of psychology and emotions, insecurity is understood as the feeling of discomfort, nervousness or discomfort experienced in situations perceived as vulnerable. That is, when a subject feels exposed, in a fragile position, threatened (not necessarily in a physical sense, but also an emotional one), he or she begins to experience the symptoms of insecurity.
Usually, this translates into the body unconsciously prepares for a dangerous situationincreasing heart palpitations (so that the muscles respond faster), secreting adrenaline (for an “extra” reaction speed), and the mind itself is disposed towards aggression, submission or flight, instinctive responses of the species in the face of real danger.
All of these are often considered defense mechanisms, even if the perceived danger is not real, or simply not that serious. For example, a person may feel vulnerable in the face of intimacy, or in the attention of others, or in certain situations, and their reaction, instead of helping them cope better, hinders their performance.
Thus, insecurity can negatively feed back into the circuit, because the next time you find yourself in such situations, you will feel even more threatened, given your previous failure.
All human beings experience emotional insecurity at some stage in our lives, and we react to it the way we best can. However, when defense mechanisms, as in the previous example, place the person in a situation of repeated suffering, it may be time to consult a psychotherapist.
Citizen insecurity
At the level of society, insecurity is understood as the real presence of risks or threats to the health of the inhabitants of a city, country or region. It can arise from various factors, such as urban violence (generally associated with crime), the action of natural forces (natural disasters), or other factors typical of life in society.
Citizen security, also called Public security is usually a task to be fulfilled by the Statewho is given a monopoly on violence through law enforcement (police, firefighters, military, etc.). The State also manages the judicial system to punish crimes and compensate victims. The leadership of society must guarantee citizen security, that is, combat insecurity in all its forms.
Thus, when we talk about cities or nations that are very insecure or have a lot of insecurity, such as different regions of the so-called Third World, for example, we are referring to the fact that the people who live in them are much more exposed to danger or violence than is usually the case. than citizens of safer regions are.
References
- “Insecurity” in the Dictionary of the language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Emotional insecurity” on Wikipedia.
- “Citizen security” on Wikipedia.
- “Insecurity/security – Conceptualization” by various authors at Universidad del Cuyo (Argentina).
- “What is insecurity and how to treat it?” at the Manuel Escudero Center. Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry (Spain).
