Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What is the primary level of oppression characterized by evident force and deprivation?

1. Secondary Oppression

2. Primary Oppression

3. Tertiary Oppression

4. Systematic Oppression

The correct answer is: Primary Oppression

The primary level of oppression refers to the most direct and blatant forms of oppression that individuals or groups experience. This includes physical force, violence, and overt acts of discrimination or denial of basic rights. It manifests in situations where individuals are subjected to coercive actions, such as police brutality or hate crimes, which are clear indicators of oppression. This level is marked by a lack of subtlety, as the mechanisms of oppression are transparent and typically involve direct confrontation or exertion of power over vulnerable populations. The actions taken during this type of oppression can be seen in contexts where individuals face immediate harm or deprivation of personal freedoms. By contrast, other levels of oppression, such as secondary and tertiary oppression, involve more insidious forms of discrimination or socialization that contribute to the perpetuation of systemic inequality without the same immediate and forceful impact. Systematic oppression refers to the broader, ingrained societal structures that uphold these inequalities over time, rather than the immediate and forceful acts that characterize primary oppression. Thus, the correct response highlights the most overt and harmful kind of oppression experienced in society.