Insecurity

Dependence on insecurity

Nature

Insecurity is a feeling of unprotectedness and helplessness against manifold anxieties arising from an all-encompassing uncertainty about one's self.

Insecurity is largely fostered by unpredictable fluctuations in which there is no cohesion. The resultant insecurities may be personal (insecurity regarding one's goals and ideals, one's abilities, one's relation to others, and the attitude one should take toward them) or societal (disintegration of society's values and mores, societal responsibilities, and societal cohesiveness).

Incidence

According to the 2023 Gallup Global Emotions Report, 40% of adults worldwide reported feeling worried or stressed, with the highest levels of insecurity recorded in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The United Nations Development Programme’s 2022 Special Report on Human Security found that six out of seven people globally felt insecure about various aspects of their lives, including personal safety, economic stability, and health.
In 2021, widespread insecurity was reported in northern Nigeria, where escalating violence and kidnappings forced over 200,000 people to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration. This crisis severely disrupted local communities and livelihoods.

Claim

People's productivity is usually strongly influenced by the insecurity and unpredictability of their environment. Insecurity is thus exacerbated by social strife within countries and by political and military pressures or aggression of external origin.

Counter-claim

Insecurity is often overstated and used as an excuse for personal shortcomings. Many individuals focus excessively on their insecurities instead of taking action to improve themselves. This fixation distracts from real issues like poverty, education, and health care. By prioritizing self-doubt, we waste valuable time and energy that could be better spent on meaningful pursuits. Insecurity is a personal hurdle, not a societal crisis, and should not dominate our conversations or resources.