Corona: Why do I have to follow rules that I think are wrong?
Is the anger of those who are upset about violations of infection protection measures justified? After all, it is a question of human lives that are in danger. Or does dangerous skewering break through, is a fatal longing for a hard authority spreading in Germany, especially among the bourgeois good people? Who is right? And how should we deal with such conflicts? It is often about two very different things: on the one hand, a very simple misunderstanding – and on the other hand, a skill that we will have to pay more attention to in future education.
The misunderstanding is that people who do not follow the general rules are always justifying this with their right to freedom of expression: they would meet up for a beer in the park with friends because they disagree disliked the rules. You can see from the example of Sweden that things can also be done differently. And the study situation is contradictory, even the experts said!
What these people do not really understand is that they have the full right to a free opinion. Also on the opinion that the rules that apply to everyone are wrong. But that does not mean that they do not have to abide by these rules. Because the democratic system does not work if everyone always does only what corresponds to their private opinion. And some now lack the ability to adapt to the requirements that apply to all, despite their own opinions.
Freedom of expression does not mean freedom of action
This may reveal an educational error that many parents in Germany could afford in carefree times, but which now has fatal consequences for many now adults: an insufficient separation of freedom of expression and action.
For many years it was possible in Germany to fulfill also abstruse wishes of children due to an extraordinary general prosperity and great freedom of movement. Especially in conflicts over material things, about sweets and about media consumption, some parents preferred to avoid conflicts with their children and met needs more quickly – just to end the chatter.
The crisis is upside down for all of us. Of course, it’s all about staying healthy. But how do we keep the relationship and family intact? How do we get through everyday life safely? Experts now regularly answer questions from readers on these topics. Here you can find more articles from the series. If you have a question yourself, please write to us: kollateralfragen@spiegel.de
Even when dealing with digital media, it became clear what was missing over many years: the ability to communicate with restrictions; that one cannot always satisfy a need immediately. That it is important to be able to control immediate impulses and to be able to put them back in favour of a larger objective.
That is why some now lack the frustration tolerance to have their own opinion on the lockdown at any time and to be able to speak loudly everywhere. However, we still have to abide by the rules that others have set for the general public. Because these others, the decision-makers, were democratically elected by the majority of people in order to enact precisely such rules for all.
The frustration of those who now feel right could be great if the rules change
Nevertheless, those whose private opinion is very much in line with the rules that apply to everyone at the moment must be careful. And they question themselves critically whether they are really heroic fighters for the common good or not they have had a bit of luck with it, that the current decision-making situation simply fits well with what they already feel and think.
For the frustration of those who now feel that they are right could be all the greater if the rules change. It is to be assumed, for example, that there is an overlap between the group, which pays careful attention to distance rules on the streets, and the one that wants to boycott the opening of schools.
So if you’re very much in agreement with the restrictive measures right now, then you should use this emotional wealth to train for worse times, which will surely come to you with a loosening. Now face your fears and challenges that have nothing to do with an infection risk. Force yourself to practice, to keep coming out of your comfort zone.
For example, by overcoming your fear of confrontations and confrontations and by talking to people who disagree completely with you. And these people once again kindly but surely explain why, with their violations of the rules in the park, which they consider to be the freedom they are entitled to, they are unfairly restricting the freedom of others. Others like you, whose private opinion is more in line with the general rules. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to submit to yourself when it’s the other way around.
Jerry Rolon
After working for 7 years as a Internet Marketer, Jerry now aims to explore the journalistic side of Internet. With his impeccable knowledge in this domain, he churns out some of the best news articles from the internet niche. With respect to acedamics, Jerry earned a degree in business from California State University.