Problems with Authority
This web page explains why it's OK to have problems with authority.
http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/secB1.html
There ought to be a few things in there to resonate with Aspies.
I've got problems with rules and authority too.
When I was a child, I followed the rules very strictly. I was punished sometimes for doing something that was not covered by any rule, but anyway enforced by the adults (teachers). I still remember the feeling of injustice, because, how was I suppose to follow rules that was made up on the fly? I didn't have the guts to protest unfortunately.
Today, I am only able to follow rules, if there is a good explanation for the rule, and if I agree. Especially, I hate inconsistencies. For example: Alcohol and tobacco beeing legal, but cannabis being illegal, only because of historical reasons.
I hate laws based on morality. I can't follow them at all, and I don't care about them, and I don't feel bad when I break them.
Authority is not something you can be granted. You have to earn it ! ! I hate those idiots, who almost get turned on by their power .....
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Your Aspie score: 168 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 30 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie
Diagnosed
AQ=44, IQ=136
Problems with Authority
It depends on the situation. BUT, for the most part, no, not at all.
You have to realize, and it's unfortunate BUT people will try to take advantage of you based on anything from being of 'good nature' to 'having a disability'. So, you have to be cognizant on where to draw the line, if the time comes, with anyone, in particularly those in positions of authority.
Unfortunately, people tend to take compliance in the face of unfair circumstances as an obvious sign THAT a person in a less position of authority is unaware of what's happening or have no other options. They fail to realize moral commitment to a cause and once THAT commitment is fulfilled a person in the position I outlined above.....has reasoned, rightly so, that they are justified in moving on.
Authority, whether practiced by families or businesses, is held to accountability, too.
TheSunAlsoRises
little_black_sheep
Snowy Owl

Joined: 11 Aug 2011
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Posts: 132
Location: Up in Space
Well, I have been told quite often that I have a problem with authorities. I can't help it. If someone ORDERS me to do something, I feel a very, very strong need to do the opposite. It has always been that way. Sometimes I foresee the negative consequences of picking a fight with someone much more influential than me, but I just can't help it. If I think that something does not make sense, I don't do it. It was like that when I was still at school. I knew what the teachers wanted me to write down for a paper or test, but if I did not agree, I did not write it - even if that meant a lower mark.
However, if I respect someone for his achievements and manners, I am a model employee and do whatever has to be done
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I don't think I ever had any problems with authority. I was taught to follow the rules or I get punished and I hated being punished so that tactic worked with me to follow the rules. Sure I would break rules because I didn't understand the concept I was not supposed to do it but after being told over and over not to do it and being made to fix it, I stopped. I didn't like being yelled at or forced to not play.
I also needed rules because I liked structure and if there were no rules, there be chaos for me and I didn't know how to act in the situation so I act out. It was as if I was testing the boundaries to see what I can do and not do. I don't have this problem anymore because I just do my own thing as usual like I would do at home and treat others the way I like to be treated and treat their home like how I would want my home to be treated. Those are my rules.
But however when I was 10-12, I rebelled because I saw I was being treated different and other kids were allowed to break rules and get away with it and I was not so I would break them too after I see kids breaking them. I kept on doing it no matter how many times I got into trouble. I also used to do things when I be told not to do it just to see what would happen because no one would tell me why. So I would do it and always get into trouble. Why couldn't they say why I couldn't do it and I would get punished if I did it? I stopped in my teens of course because I didn't like getting into trouble.
Plus it's weird that I see in my old report cards that I don't follow the rules. I wonder if it was unwritten rules I didn't follow, rules that were never spelled out to me. I wonder if me having a hard time controlling my hyperactivity was me breaking the rules? I am sure it's common for us to be accused of not following the rules because they need to be clear and concrete and specific. Same as if our autism makes it hard for us to follow the rules. If me getting off task was me breaking the rules, that would explain it. If me having a hard time in groups was me breaking the rules, that would also explain it.
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Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed and ASD lv 1.
Daughter: NT, no diagnoses. Possibly OCD. Is very private about herself.
Shatbat
Veteran

Joined: 19 Feb 2012
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,791
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I prefer following my own moral code than some rules imposed by someone else, but on the other hand I never had big problems with authority. My dealings with it were mostly limited to parents and other relatives, and I got along greatly with all of them. At school they loved that endearing boy who never interrupted classes and actively participated in classes, plus getting the best grades, and I even had some sort of influence with them, which in retrospect makes me glad I followed a strong code even during my younger years. It was useful too, because there was a teacher who would normally abuse his authority with other students, but be more guarded with me, because he knew that other teachers liked me and would listen for what I had to say. The bad part is, I liked being liked by them, and that made me fear losing their trust. I didn't fight bullies not because I feared getting beaten up, but because I feared the consequences and all those people saying "we thought better of you, you're a shame" plus getting into trouble. It's only relatively recently that I've stopped to lose that fear.
In general, I'm only ok following orders from those who have my respect. Teachers always counted in my younger years, but now only the intelligent ones do. If somebody doesn't have it, but has some sort of power over me, I'll challenge it as much as it is safe while looking for a way out of the situation. If they have neither, then I'll refuse to take an order.
I remember in my stay at Germany my host-sister, who was 7 months older, liked bossing me around. In theory I was supposed to do as she said, but I... just couldn't. There were some troubles with it at first, and I even had a little row with my host father, but in the end she stopped giving me direct orders and let my host father do it (who I saw as a legitimate source of authority, because he was quite wise, and more reasonable.)
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To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day. - Winston Churchill
outofplace
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Joined: 10 Jun 2012
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I do not like authority at all. That being said, I usually follow the laws and rules with a few exceptions as I see it as counterproductive to do otherwise. My hatred of personal chaos keeps me from being too openly defiant at work or with the police if they pull me over for a traffic stop. However, I will still question the rules or those in authority if I feel they are unfair, illogical or counterproductive. As I have gotten older, I have learned to pick my battles wisely. If you don't, you will just be seen as obstinate and those placed in authority over you will find ways to screw you if they can.
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Uncertain of diagnosis, either ADHD or Aspergers.
Aspie quiz: 143/200 AS, 81/200 NT; AQ 43; "eyes" 17/39, EQ/SQ 21/51 BAPQ: Autistic/BAP- You scored 92 aloof, 111 rigid and 103 pragmatic
It is not a symptom of Aspergers to be unwilling to accept authority.
It is a symptom of Aspergers to not be willing to accept False Authority, or Injustice.
If you look at it clearly, we are not always right, but we feel right. When we see through others bullocks, we sometimes feel life is a sham, since people will act nice to our face, then the next day, you never hear from them again.
A straight-faced faked social reaction is a straight-faced lie.
At least to an Aspergian it is.
It is also a symptom of a sick culture. And it is not a symptom of Wellness to just be Well-Adjusted to Sick Culture.
I grew up in Southern Utah. Was beaten, socially abused, and kicked out for being the anti-christ from Revelations by my parents.
And that is just the beginning of my tale.
You want to hear the rest, it's a 27 year story, including Crohn's, and living on the Streets.
Sometimes, we just want equal rights.
And we apply equal judgment.
Not because it's right, but because others do the same to Us.
"I must create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans'. I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create." -William Blake
Read some Crowley. It may give you a different take on Aspergers! At least following your own, individual True Will. Or the right to be, and create, Yourself--in the Highest Manner possible!
I have always and continue to have trouble with authority. I was labeled a variety of things as a result since I was very young. Turns out it was Aspergers the whole time.
I have a really hard time doing things the way people in authority say to do them just because they are in teh positioon they are in. Especially when my brain works totally differently and I usually have my own, dare I say better way of doing it. I also hate when people weild their authority. I have quit a lot of jobs because of this.
So in short, yes I feel very much the same way.
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Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- The Dalai Lama
Shatbat
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Joined: 19 Feb 2012
Age: 32
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Do we all hate mindlessly following authority? I just remember my biggest fights with my father (the real one this time ) came from when he gave me an order and refused to explain why should I follow that order. Because yeah, I hate doing something if I don't understand why should I do it.
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To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day. - Winston Churchill
I'm on the fence here. When I was younger and more naive, I was willing to accept authority on basis of the notion that the person in authority had acquired that position because of their competence and sense of responsibility. A couple years and experiences later, I've encountered authority figures who abuse their status wantonly.
I've grown to actively dislike authority in general. While I rationally know that there are people who will not abuse their position of authority, I generally dislike any form of hierarchy, and prefer to see a system of coworkers as a democratic entity in which everyone has an equal voice, even if one is assigned the job of 'superior'.
I know it's irrational, but there's always a sense of resentment within me toward the one who holds the authority. I've experienced that a person can turn around on you and suddenly decide to 'exercise their authority' and I've found that to be thoroughly unpleasant. So yeah. I, too, consider myself something of an anarchist.
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clarity of thought before rashness of action
It is hard to say if it is the AS or my childhood experience but I do have a problem with authority.
I grew up without a dad or any other male role model so I created my own set of beliefs and values from
those I admired such as actors, the fictional characters in shows,movies,books etc.
I had to be truly independent for so long it is hard to be told what to do.
I have no problem following orders from those that have earned my trust/respect but not easily from others.
If I am asked to do something no problem but if it is given as an order it takes all I have not to tell them where they can go!
auntblabby
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Location: the island of defective toy santas
i just treated almost all my superiors as slavering dogs to be avoided however possible. i kept the lowest of low profiles, often hiding in plain sight.
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