Viveca Shearin

Denial Kills Viveca Shearin

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt told us we have nothing to fear but fear itself. But fear isn't the only thing we, as humans, should be wary of. There is another sinister threat, something that, if not addressed before it sets in, can be deadly. Denial, when allowed to fester, can have serious consequences. For example, a woman who refuses to see the ugly truth about her doomed engagement can end up trapped in a miserable marriage. A wife who refuses to accept that her husband is unfaithful can find herself confronted by his lover, by her own jealousy, and by her own willful ignorance. Denying women the rights to their own bodily autonomy can cost us our happiness, our sanity, and our lives. Denial can take many forms. And when one isn't careful, denial can most surely kill.