Jaycee Dugard's A Stolen Life: A Memoir

So far in today’s world, humans have identified many different types of disorders, illnesses, and syndromes. Stockholm Syndrome was first classified in 1973 during a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden which had several bank employees held as hostages. During 6 days of captivity, the hostages started forming an emotional bond with the bank robbers. They started to feel like they were safe and protected with them to the point where they refused to receive help from government officials. After they were let go, these hostages defended their captors and one of the hostages even got engaged to their captor. This case resulted in the name “Stockholm Syndrome”. (Dr Joseph M Carver)Upon this situation, psychiatrists and doctors started to research and …show more content…
With the addition of only being with them for the long period of time, it heightens their feelings towards them and they become exposed to only them. This is what happens when somebody is kidnapped or held hostage. In the documentary novel “A Stolen Life: A Memoir” by Jaycee Dugard, she explains her 18 years of captivity. “I actually feel happy to see him. He has been gone for a while. I missed having someone to talk to.” (Dugard, 71) This proves how attached she was despite how he kidnapped her. After all, it is just human nature to grow a bond with someone you are with for a long time. In the end, everyone just wants to be loved and cared for. The victim’s kidnapper undoubtedly protects, cares for, and gives them the attention that they want. Not to mention that they establish more of a comfortable environment with them, it sincerely makes it seem like they are not just a victim and a kidnapper; but two people with a strong …show more content…
Since Jack has been there his whole life, he grew attached to the place they were kept hostage. This led to Jack wanting to go back to Room since he could not handle adjusting to his new lifestyle. Although it is not exactly the same as growing attachment for Old Nick, Stockholm Syndrome is still present. He was there for so long that he wanted to go back to what he was used to and where he felt safe. Stockholm Syndrome will cause a person to believe that they can’t go on their lives since they have grown to being with their kidnappers and being cared by them. People naturally begin to reminisce on how things used to be which makes adjusting to new things harder even though the new life is healthier and “normal”. This is not merely a factor for the syndrome; it is human nature to want to go back to what you’re familiar with. People cannot be blamed for not being able to adapt to change when they are so used to something