Freedom and What It Means To Me Freedom, like most words, is defined in different ways by different people. The definitions can change over generations. Even different regions of the world could have an alternate idea of what freedom means to them. Most people define freedom as being able to do what you want, when you want. Some find this definition to be very generic, and not truly touch on what freedom really means. Freedom goes deeper than being able to do, say, or act in any manner at any given time or place. According to Oxford Dictionary freedom means “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint”. (Oxford Dictionaries) While this is true, someone can consider themselves free but still be contained by a higher power, and be obligated to obey the laws of human nature. Freedom is the power to do, say, and feel how you want as long as it doesn’t hinder someone else’s freedom. Most people believe that freedom is a right, but as we see in communist countries like North Korea and China, even your thoughts are controlled by the government.

Some people believe that our freedoms are restricted by laws and other legal documents that on the down low affect our freedoms, but play it off like safety concerns. For instance if someone doesn’t like seat belts, they could argue that they are uncomfortable. They could add that they restrict movements when they are driving. Would they have the freedom to not wear a seatbelt? The answer is yes, they have that choice, but under penalty and fines from the government, if they get caught not wearing their seatbelt. So, the government is trying to limit their freedom of choice through fines. Another example would be do people have the freedom to smoke a cigarette? Yes, they do. As bad as it is to their health, they are given that right as long as they are 18 year of age or older.