In The Psychic Life of Power: Theories in Subjection, Judith Butler takes a neutral stance to discuss the topic of how the power a subordinated subject holds is contradictory. As a society, a subject does not instinctively choose to be subordinated by an external force. However, a subject relies on this subordination to keep control over their life and give them self identity. The self identity comes from an external power who preaches a subject’s worth until it has been internalized and the subject projects the image. Butler references Althusser who argues that the subordination of a subject is through verbal communication. When an authoritative voice registers with a subject, the acknowledgment of being hailed causes the subject to react.
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I have recognized my self identity coming from authoritative figures from my childhood including my parents and teachers. With their support and encouragement that I constantly heard, I internalized their messages which became my self identity. In contrast, I have seen girls (and boys) in high school subordinated by the ‘popular group’ internalizing the bullies’ messages and becoming self conscious and self hating. The subjects allow the subordinators to degrade them as they see the subordinators as the official word of what is ‘cool’ and ‘popular’. However, I believe the power does lie with the subject as they are the ones who believe it is necessary to fit in with subordinators. While reading this article, I think of the movie Mean Girls, where Regina George constantly subordinates her subjects, especially Gretchen and Karen, but the girls do nothing as they know their lives will be easier with Regina as their ‘friend’ and subordinator rather than without her. As well, I agree with the latter half of her article about children having a strong attachment to their subordinator. A parent needs to take on the role of the subordinator and have a power relationship over their child to raise them with respect. In contrast, a child who grows up with the parent acting as a friend will expect their parent to be more lenient and give less consequences for wrong doings. Again, Mean Girls is a good example of this when Regina has no respect for authoritative figures in her life because her mom tries to hard to be Regina’s friend rather than
I have recognized my self identity coming from authoritative figures from my childhood including my parents and teachers. With their support and encouragement that I constantly heard, I internalized their messages which became my self identity. In contrast, I have seen girls (and boys) in high school subordinated by the ‘popular group’ internalizing the bullies’ messages and becoming self conscious and self hating. The subjects allow the subordinators to degrade them as they see the subordinators as the official word of what is ‘cool’ and ‘popular’. However, I believe the power does lie with the subject as they are the ones who believe it is necessary to fit in with subordinators. While reading this article, I think of the movie Mean Girls, where Regina George constantly subordinates her subjects, especially Gretchen and Karen, but the girls do nothing as they know their lives will be easier with Regina as their ‘friend’ and subordinator rather than without her. As well, I agree with the latter half of her article about children having a strong attachment to their subordinator. A parent needs to take on the role of the subordinator and have a power relationship over their child to raise them with respect. In contrast, a child who grows up with the parent acting as a friend will expect their parent to be more lenient and give less consequences for wrong doings. Again, Mean Girls is a good example of this when Regina has no respect for authoritative figures in her life because her mom tries to hard to be Regina’s friend rather than