Common Forms of Escapism

There is one additional area to be discussed and that is “Escapism” and the problems associated with its classification. Probably the most common form of this is picking up a book (older persons) or turning on electronic media (younger persons) and abandoning the world and events around us to engage in the world between the pages or on that seen and heard before us (electronic device) while ignoring that going on around us. In earlier times and, perhaps still now with youngsters (and others even older), we hide or withdraw from our perceived tormentors. And, in severe cases, it could even involve adopting a new personality (“Jekyll and Hyde” or “The three faces of Eve”) in its entirety. Excluding severe cases, is escapism a form of “play/play substitute ” or is it simply tension avoidance or like a narcotic?

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