The desire for freedom is an important part of the human personality. The state of independence allows you to realize any of your ambitions, independently choose the path of development, reach new heights. The concept is valid both for a specific person and for large social entities: from a family to an entire state. Which makes enslavement one of the worst crimes that can be committed.
Forced labor
At its core, the word is as transparent as possible from the point of view of morphemic analysis. It comes from the act of turning someone into a slave, leaving people with no other option but to work for their master. The very first meaning of the term implies:
- make a slave;
- deprive of freedom (physical);
- reclaim independence.
Lawyers will certainly say that the norms for counteracting such acts are fixed at the international level. It does not matter whether the establishment of unlimited power actually takes place when someone is put on a chain, shackled, or with the help of laws. In this case, the meaning of the word "enslavement" indicatesto a crime against humanity, which is punished in the most severe way.
Unlimited Power
However, the concept also has a figurative meaning, no less disgusting and harmful. Its main transcripts are:
- subordinate to power and influence;
- make it dependent.
In such a situation, there are no physical instruments of containment like cells or prison cells. There are no documents confirming the slave status of the individual. But at the same time, a person is not able to object or interfere with the conditional owner. For example, many employees without an employment contract are not able to argue with their superiors, sit on minimum wages, receive wages irregularly and are subject to terrible fines.
Often, old people and children, due to limited legal capacity, find themselves in a hopeless situation under the absolute power of relatives. The most obvious example of the interpretation of a figurative meaning will be the story of poor Cinderella, who turned out to be a servant in her own house. The girl did the dirtiest and hardest work for free, receiving only reproaches and insults in response.
Home use
How appropriate would it be to use the word "enslavement"? It depends on the context. In history lessons, teachers often turn to events when entire peoples and countries fell into slavery to more influential and powerful neighbors. Similar scenes are played out in science fiction films, incomputer games, so the term can be found in fiction.
At the everyday level, you are unlikely to meet the actual interpretation personally. And allegorically, the definition can be used against a picky landlord, an evil boss, a dean, and many other people who have some power over you. Often used in a playful, ironic way, but even then the speaker hints that he needs a little more freedom.
