The meanings of words change over time, with “enable” now seen negatively as encouraging self-destructive behavior, while “support” retains its original meaning of helping achieve a useful goal. The difference between enabling and supporting is defined by the context of the situation.
The original meanings of words tend to change over time, occasionally taking on the exact opposite of their original intent. If a person in the 1970s had been asked how he drew the line between allowing and supporting, he probably would have reacted with a sense of abject confusion. The two words originally shared a very similar connotation, but the popularity of media psychologists and self-help movements has meant that the word “enable” is seen largely in a negative sense. To enable someone, in the negative, would refer to the act of encouraging or failing to stop a person from behaving in a self-destructive or unhealthy way. On the contrary, the word “support” has kept much of its original meaning, that of helping or encouraging a person to achieve a useful goal.
Indeed, one can enable another person in a positive way. For example, a parent might lend money to a child, thus enabling him or her to go to college. The kindness of a friend or role model could enable you to be inspired and help others. These positive enablers would support their child or friend in the act of getting an education or living a happier life. In such examples there is no line to be drawn between a facilitator and a supporter, as they practically amount to the same thing.
In the lexicon of modern psychology, there is a big difference between allowing and supporting. If a married individual simply financed their spouse’s alcoholism, gambling, or drug habit, they could be considered a facilitator. If he were to suggest that his spouse has a problem and offer to help or arrange counseling, he would provide support. The difference between being a facilitator and an advocate is readily apparent in such a situation, but many times there can be a scenario where one’s behavior is not so clear.
The people, places, actions or events involved often define the line between enablement and support. Perhaps a person wants to try to save a relationship even if it is inherently abusive. If such a course were to be encouraged, knowing that the person in question has a long-term pattern of seeking abusive partners would allow for negative behavior. If, on the other hand, one were to point to such a pattern and offer help in resolving it, his actions would be considered supportive. In a very real sense, drawing the line between allowing and supporting is the difference between acknowledging and ignoring the reality of a given situation.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
