Who Likes to Be Forced?

Think about a time you were forced into something—an unwanted responsibility, a tough decision, or a path you never planned to take.

Did you resist? Did it feel unfair?

Now, looking back—was it really a bad thing?

Most of us would say no one likes being forced. The very idea of being pushed into something—a decision, a life path, an unexpected responsibility—feels suffocating.

We crave freedom. The more we get, the more we want.

It’s like trying to fill a bucket full of holes—no matter how much we pour in, it’s never enough.

But is freedom always the answer?

Imagine a child let loose in a candy store with no rules. At first, it’s exciting—unlimited choices, endless indulgence. But soon, they feel sick, overwhelmed, lost in the excess.

Our world today is that candy store. We’ve broken free from physical dangers, rigid systems, and old traditions—only to find ourselves drowning in limitless choices, yet feeling more lost than ever.

In the past, our struggles were simple: survive, escape threats, build a life. But now, we have so much freedom that we’re questioning everything—our careers, our gender, even our purpose.

So I ask again: Who likes to be forced?

Maybe, just maybe, the greatest moments of our lives aren’t the ones we choose—but the ones we are pushed into.

From Physical to Social Freedom

At first, human struggle was about physical survival—escaping predators, controlling our environment, ensuring safety.

Then, once we conquered that, our fears shifted. We no longer feared wild animals—we feared other humans controlling us.

This is where Abraham Lincoln changed history. He didn’t just free the slaves—he redefined what freedom meant for an entire generation.

In 1863, his action allowed about 200,000 Black soldiers to fight in the Civil War and freed around 3.1 million slaves in areas held by the South.

That was then. What about now?

Travel and More Freedom

When I was young, traveling was freedom. My parents would travel twice a year—once for Chinese New Year and once for Hari Raya, the Malay New Year.

I still remember my first trip at 12 years old. It was a big deal—because back then, travel wasn’t easy. That first trip changed everything. The world felt smaller, more accessible.

But today? Travel isn’t the luxury it once was.

With a click of a button, we can connect across continents. Meetings that once required hours of travel can now happen in seconds over Zoom.

The world has become borderless—but has that actually made us feel freer?

The Challenge of Modern Freedom

After the global health crisis, we gained new freedoms like working from home. I live in Johor Bahru, but many work in Singapore while living in Malaysia. Between 2019 and 2021, remote jobs in Malaysia increased by 150%.

We now have total freedom to connect anytime, anywhere. But does this make us happier?

Not really. It’s like giving a kid too much candy—there’s no limit, and it can be bad.

Freedom should bring clarity, but instead, it has brought uncertainty. People are now questioning everything—their careers, their identities, even their own biology.

In some ways, this is progress.

But how far is too far?

If freedom means we can rewrite anything, what happens when there are no limits left?

We’re already seeing this in science. The ability to alter human genetics—once fiction—has become real.

The technology exists. Now, the question is not “Can we?” but “Should we?”

And what happens when the candy store has too many options? Do we become overwhelmed? Or do we start craving structure again?

The Freedom Paradox: More Choices, Less Happiness

But isn’t freedom supposed to bring happiness? Isn’t the ability to choose what makes life fulfilling?

Paradoxically, studies show that having too many choices actually reduces happiness.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the Paradox of Choice—when people have too many options, they experience choice paralysis and regret.

Too many career paths? We fear choosing the wrong one.
Too many dating options? We wonder if there’s someone better.
Too much freedom? We become overwhelmed, unsure of what truly matters.

The irony? The thing we chase—unlimited choice—is the very thing making us miserable.

When Being Forced Helps Us Grow

I had a few past relationships—ones I thought were right for me.

But my parents saw what I couldn’t.

“She’s not the right one for you,” they would say.

At the time, it infuriated me. Who were they to decide for me?

I fought back. I tried to prove them wrong. But over time, I saw it for myself.

Those relationships, had they continued, would have led to a different life—one I wouldn’t be happy in.

And today? I have a beautiful wife. A beautiful family. A life I am deeply grateful for.

At the time, it felt like control. Looking back, it was protection.

The Future of Freedom: Ethical Issues

We are no longer just shaping culture or policy.

Now, we are reshaping humanity itself.

The technology exists—we can edit genes, modify DNA, and “design” the future generation.

Imagine a world where parents can customize their child’s intelligence, height, eye color, or even personality before birth.

Sounds revolutionary, right?

But where do we draw the line?

At first, it might seem harmless—eliminating diseases, enhancing intelligence, ensuring a better future.

But what happens when perfection becomes the expectation?

Would children still feel valued for who they are—or only for how they were designed?

Would love become conditional—based on whether you were made to be “perfect”?

We have always fought for freedom to choose—but what if that very freedom robs the next generation of theirs?