# Origin of 'Entitlements'/'Injunctions' Lecture.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-entitlements-injunctions-lecture/730495>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 10, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-entitlements-injunctions-lecture/730495 "2015-09-10T03:48:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-entitlements-injunctions-lecture/730495/1 "2015-09-10T03:48:28Z")

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Interesting story. In 1989, I was just fresh out of hs. And it was an interesting time, for all of us who remember it, I think. The fall of the Berlin wall, Mikhail Gorbechev and Michael Dukakis. The end of the Cold War, and the beginning of the 90’s.

In the Spring of 1989, I was taking a humanities class. And I had a very unique teacher, I think. Eccentric and _avant-garde_. He certainly never gave a boring lecture, that’s for sure.

Anyways, one day he gave us the following lecture, on “Entitlements” and “Injunctions”. It was so interesting, I copied it down, word-for-word and even saved it. In fact, the spaces that appear, are where I didn’t copy down what he was saying fast enough. Seriously.

Anyhow, I have literally racked my brain ever since then, trying to find out where he got it from, or what it is based on. I am assuming it is not copyrighted (or else, I would not share it in its entirety, of course).

What follows, is the document, as I have it saved on my computer. I am copying and pasting it verbatim. Obviously, it is meant to have a somewhat humorous aspect to it, as you will see.

Whatever you think of it, don’t blame me, in any event. As I said, I am only relating it exactly as I heard (and recorded) it.

Please read:

\***\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  
This was copied down in humanities class on May 9, 1989 at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus:**

“Entitlements” | “Injunctions”  
1.) To live. | 1.) To die.  
2.) To allow yourself to feel. | 2.) Don’t feel, suppress your feelings.  
3.) To express the feeling. | 3.) Don’t express the feeling.  
4.) Express appropriate feelings. | 4.) Express only certain feelings.  
5.) Own the feelings you have. | 5.) Substitute one feeling for another.  
6.) Have age-specific behavior. | 6.) “- - ? ? "  
7.) Grow up. | 7.) Don’t grow up.  
8.) Grow up to be an independent adult. | 8.) Grow up to take care of need.  
9.) Take care of yourself. | 9.) Grow up to take care of everyone.  
10.) Be human. | 10.) Be perfect.  
11.) Be successful. | 11.) Take appropriate risks”. ,(?)"  
12.) Succeed on your own terms. | 12.) " in others.  
13.) Think for yourself. | 13.) Be confused.  
14.) Own your own sexuality. | 14.) Own someone else.  
15.) Touch appropriately. | 15.) Don’t touch (appropr.).  
16.) Be open and close. | 16.) Be distant.  
17.) Be healthy. | 17.) Be ill.  
18.) Own your own weaknesses. | 18.) Be strong.  
19.) Be congruent. | 19.) Be crazy.  
20.) Own your own discomfort at others words. | 20.) "- ? ? "  
21.) Be potent. | 21.) Be powerless.  
22.) Be joyfully in the present. | 22.) Worry about the future.  
23.) Face the truth. | 23.) Let’s pretend.  
24.) You independently can make it. | 24.) Depend on others (?).  
25.) My value [sic]in within me. | 25.) My value is in others.  
26.) I will feel personally empowered. | 26.) I will need power over others.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\*

That’s it. As I’ve said, I am trying find the source of it (but assume it is not copyrighted, even if it is based on something else). And as I said, please don’t blame the messenger. I am only relating it as I recorded it at the time:).

:):)🙂