Whenever you reach home late, your mother opens the door soundlessly and serves dinner. Today, your father opens the door and your mother is standing behind silently.

You meet with an accident and reach home in a shaken state of mind. The injuries are minor, but remembering the scene makes you shudder. Your father looks sternly at you, and a cold voice erupts from his disapproving demeanor, “It’s okay this time. But I don’t understand what makes you undertake those adventures.” There is absolutely no concern about your well-being.

Your boss says ‘Come In’ without looking up, and continues to work on his device. The latest weekly report is lying on the table. You know the silence is a volcano waiting to erupt. Business figures have dropped.

Disapproval sends a chill down your spine. It makes you uncomfortable, or defiant or strengthens your resolve further. One extreme state of mind begets another.

Yet, let us look at the different shades of disapproval.

1. FEAR

The person lives in fear of the consequences of certain things considered unsafe.

The rules or disapproval are all framed to help the person escape the ‘feared’ consequences. The fears may not be logical or justified, but they are very much real for the person.

Their past experience, stories they’ve heard, or mindsets instilled in them during their growing-up years cause them to act in this manner.

It can be a fear of losing control, a fear of social stigma or an imagined fear of accidents, illness or death.

2. AUTHORITARIANISM

This set of people believes they can exert authority only by holding the power to approve or disapprove.

Leadership by example, leading from the front, or servant leadership is not their style. They need to crack the whip and fear losing power if they don’t.

All of us know of a boss or bully who has this description.

3. TRADITION

They’ve never looked beyond tradition. It has always been done this way, and thinking of anything else is blasphemy.

They try to induce guilt and punish or ostracize one for errant behaviour.

Religious heads, political leaders, grandparents or parents, and business heads can all display this behaviour at certain times.

4. TESTING THEIR INFLUENCE

Deep down, they feel unwanted or sidelined. This may have happened due to a change in roles, advancing age, a change in family or organizational structure, or something else.

Their strategy is to see how far someone will go for them.

Will you forego your next vacation or break up with your girlfriend? Can you fast or perform rituals to carry forward a family tradition? An ageing parent or an old friend can do this when you move on to other social sets.

A refusal by others to do so makes them insecure.

5. NARCISSISM

These people are born with a sense of entitlement. They believe others are obliged to follow their rules and pay obeisance.

They pass judgement on things totally beyond their purview in a self-important manner.

Hushed voices around them ask, “But who are you to…?”. They never listen.

Ignore them. They are not likely to change.

6. DISGUST

One can be disgusted by how a segment of the population treats another. Disdain, oppression, racialism, and gender violence infuriate them.

They turn into rebels or leaders of a movement. Disapproval of unfair practices is positive.

HOW TO DEAL WITH DISAPPROVAL?

1. NAME THE DEMON

Say it if you spot any of the reasons above or something else. Confront them with truth. Let the subconscious pattern evolve into a more conscious way of thinking.

2. ASSERT YOURSELF

The more you give in, the more pressure will be exerted on you.

State clearly why you act in a particular manner and how it supports your life goals.

Let them know clearly that this is the way you will go.

Shades of disapproval