BOOKS

‘Self-Actualisation’ which Annie faces, represents a concept derived from humanistic psychological theory and specifically, from the theory created by Abraham Maslow. It is where a person becomes the best version of themselves and develops an appreciation for life. Maslow's theory presents his hierarchy of needs in a pyramid shape, with basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid and more high-level, intangible needs at the top. A person can only move on to addressing the higher-level needs when their basic needs are adequately fulfilled. Self-actualization, in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, is the highest level of psychological development, where personal potential is fully realized after basic bodily and ego needs have been fulfilled. Maslow's theory focuses on human growth and its differences, separating survivors, successful individuals, dreamers, and miserable individuals. It represents the potential within each person and the path to achieving it. The pyramid can be modified to apply to victims of abuse and neglect.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, self-actualization needs, and self-fulfillment needs. Physiological needs are essential for survival, while safety needs protect against violence, emotional stability, health, and reproduction. Love and belonging needs involve social interactions, including friendships, family bonds, and membership in social groups. Esteem needs are ego-driven, focusing on self-respect and self-esteem. Self-actualization describes the fulfillment of your full potential as a person. Addressing these needs is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment.

How can a person who is abused successfully achieve all of the stages in order to reach self-actualization, the final stage? Wouldn't they feel as though they are not safe, emotionally unstable, and cannot form healthy relationships, especially if society judges them? How can they develop high self-esteem? How can someone appreciate life when their life is filled with hate and prejudice from society? To thrive, one must accept past experiences as part of their journey and seek growth opportunities. Self-Actualization is a beautiful process that allows for new perspectives on the world, fostering continuous growth and change. It involves seeking knowledge without fear and embracing the beauty of the world.

Abuse towards women is indeed an issue that has deep roots within society that can be dated back to slavery.  Women were beaten and forced to work on the plantations and were also sexually harassed and raped by the slave and plantation owners. They were lured into being concubines in exchange for freedom. They were seen as fertile creatures that could’ve produced a line of slaves to supply labor to the plantations. Presently, women being abused is still an issue; when they are abused, society, instead of helping them, judges them. They are constantly defined by their past and the pains they have endured. This trauma that they are reminded of keeps them in an ensnared cycle of abuse and low self-esteem, loss of belonging, and insecurities. 

Why are women still abused in modern-day society? Is it because male dominance is seen as a normal act, so we allow it? Is it because we have been conditioned all of these years into thinking that women are just fertile creatures and that they should be dominated? 

Abused women need a society that is ready to resuscitate them back into realizing who they are and what they can become in the future. Women are walking around with pain so much that their bodies are vessels to these negative energies. How can they realize the full potential of themselves? How can they reach the stage of self-actualization when all the previous stages are challenges to them because they have been abused: sexually, physically, emotionally, etc? They need to mentally emancipate from their past pains that they hold inside them brewing a storm. 

Do you think that girls who have been abused in the girls' home in our country are happy when they reach the age of leaving the home? No, they aren’t because they are going to be judged by their pasts. They’re like strange animals thrown into a jungle to impotently partake in the survival of the fittest. Always being put last to the girls who have not been abused.

If I was to be abused tomorrow, I would like to know there is a society behind me to resuscitate me back into being the strong woman I know I am.