Barbara Ehrenreichs Pathologies of Hope Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Barbara Ehrenreichs Pathologies of Hope - Essay ExampleThe purpose ofEhrenreichs essay is to convince her readers that want is being marketed as a glorified cure-all for every trouble in contemporary society. She aims to place down the myth that hope is the key to happiness. Ehrenreich argues that hope has negative effects and advocates a more realistic place towards life. Ehrenreichs criticism of hope as a universal remedy for life is valid, but her die hard may not be applicable to every individual. Ehrenreich categorically declares, I hate hope. She regrets that the merchandising of hope has become a major self-improvement industry in America, with self-help books, life-improvement coaches and motivational speakers establishing an increasing furor of Positivity. Positive psychology takes on academic credentials with the emergence of courses in reputed college campuses. Ehrenreich concedes that the maintenance of an overtly compulsory attitude is all for the good of social in teraction. However, she objects to the irrationality of clinging on to optimistic thinking, irrespective of the actual solemness of the situation. She equates such unwarranted hope as being out of touch with reality. She criticizes the pressure to hold on to a positive attitude whether or not it is justified by the actual circumstances (Ehrenreich). Ehrenreich points out that even the academically credentialed positive psychologists admit that a healthy dose of negative thinking is undeniable for some situations, such as piloting an airplane. They also concede that their rules do not apply to concourse living under extreme conditions of stress, such as poverty of war. Ehrenreich extends these examples to other instances, such as railway car driving and child rearing. She disputes the validity of studies which claim to prove the health-enhancing effects of positivity and its contribution to happiness or success at the workplace.