What is the Difference Between Oppression and Repression

The main difference between oppression and repression is that oppression refers to persistent cruel or unjust treatment or control, whereas repression refers to the act of restraining or subduing.

Oppression and repression are two words we often use interchangeably, assuming them to have similar meanings. However, there is a distinct difference between oppression and repression. Oppression is usually done by one group of people to another group, whereas repression can be something one does to one’s own desires and impulses.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Oppression 
     – Definition, Characteristics, Examples
2. What is  Repression
     – Definition, Characteristics, Examples
3. What is the Difference Between Oppression and Repression
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Oppression, Repression

What is Oppression

Oppression refers to persistent cruel or unjust treatment or control. It is a situation in which people are controlled or governed in an unjust and cruel way. When there is oppression, people are prevented from having opportunities and freedom. A country can be oppressed by tyrannical leaders. Oppression can be also aimed at particular social groups such as women, transgender people, and poor people. An authoritarian government can use oppression to subjugate people and deny them of their privileges.

Furthermore, oppression can be covert or overt. Besides, there are many forms of oppression, such as racial oppression, gender oppression, class oppression, etc.

Example Sentences

She raised her voice against the oppression of women.

Years of oppression have made people miserable.

The rebellion was fueled by the tyrant’s oppression.

Systemic oppression of homosexuals resulted in heterosexism. 

What is Repression

Repression refers to restraining, subduing or limiting. In other words, it’s a type of holding back. Repression can be emotional or social repression. Emotional or psychological repression is subduing one’s own thoughts or desires so that it remains unconscious. If you keep your feelings bottled up and have trouble expressing yourself, then that’s emotional repression. Social repression happens when governing parties restrain the freedom of people. For example, not allowing women to vote is a form of political repression.

Furthermore, we can use the words repress and repression in many contexts. For example, you repress your smile, if you feel think that it’s inappropriate to the system. Another example is repressing your memory of an unpleasant memory.

Example Sentences

Women in many cultures daily face varying degrees of repression.

Long-time repression of feelings can be harmful to your emotional health.

The people fought against repression and injustice.

The doctor said that his psychotic mentality is due to the repression of anger from early childhood.

Moreover, it’s important to note that most people associate the word repression with psychology. In this context, repression usually refers to the subduing of feelings, desires, and impulses.

Difference Between Oppression and Repression

Definition

Oppression refers to persistent cruel or unjust treatment or control, whereas repression refers to the act of restraining or subduing.

Nature

Moreover, oppression is a social phenomenon as it involves a country or a social group, whereas repression mainly refers to a psychological phenomenon.

People Involved

Oppression is usually done by one group of people to another group whereas repression can be something one does to one’s own desires and impulses.

Conclusion

Although we use the two words oppression and repression interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between oppression and repression. The main difference between oppression and repression is that oppression refers to persistent cruel or unjust treatment or control whereas repression refers to the act of restraining or subduing.

Reference:

1. “Repression (Psychology).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Stickmen Free Speech Oppression v2” By JasonCarswell – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “4514868” (CC0) via Pixabay

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