Therapy Toronto Psychotherapy Definitions

Oppression

Oppression is the unjust use of power, on a continual basis, by one group over another, using political power and ideology in a way that creates and sustains inequity in the distribution of resources.

Oppression may have profound psychological effects, particularly on the identity and emotional life of the oppressed.

When people from oppressed groups internalize myths and misinformation about themselves, it causes them to feel (often unconsciously) that in some way they are inherently not as worthy, capable, intelligent, beautiful, good, etc. as people outside their group.

Rather than identifying this response as oppressive, they turn the experience of oppression inward, holding themselves at fault. This internalized oppression supports and masks the external oppression.

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