The Illusion of Equal Opportunities: Myths of Western Culture

When we think of Western culture, ideas of freedom, equality, and opportunity often come to mind. But behind this glittering facade lies a deep irony: the myth that everyone starts from the same conditions creates not only dreams, but also a pressure that can destroy us from within.

When we think of Western culture, ideas of freedom, equality, and opportunity often come to mind. But behind this glittering facade lies a deep irony: the myth that everyone starts from the same conditions creates not only dreams, but also a pressure that can destroy us from within.

The Western idea that every person is a blank slate, open to any achievement, seems inspiring. But it hides a dangerous lie: if we’re all supposedly equal from the start, then those who fail have only themselves to blame. Didn’t succeed? You didn’t try hard enough. Didn’t achieve? Then the problem is you, not the system, biology, or circumstances.

This narrative isn’t accidental—it perfectly serves the neoliberal economy, where success is measured in numbers, and those who fall behind are seen as expendable. It’s much easier to justify the survival game when we’re convinced that everyone has an equal chance.

The Trap of Individualism

We’re taught to believe in the power of personal choice, but we often overestimate our control over life’s outcomes. Even if we assume free will exists, research shows that Westerners are less accurate in assessing their choices compared to other cultures. We tend to locate the root of problems in personal flaws, not external circumstances.

This leads to another trap: if I succeeded, why can’t others? And if they succeeded, why can’t I? This fuels the perfectionist mantra, draining confidence and driving us into an endless race.

Judgment Over Understanding

Individualism teaches us to assign blame. We easily judge those who stumble—addicts, homeless people, those struggling with obesity, or those in prison. If they’re in trouble, it must be their fault. And we judge ourselves just as harshly, ignoring the complex nature of human behavior and circumstances.

But the truth is, the world is far more complicated than the black-and-white picture of success and failure. People are not machines coming off an assembly line—they’re complex beings influenced by millions of variables. Our paths are shaped by biology, environment, circumstances, and yes, willpower.

A Broader Perspective

So perhaps it’s time to stop measuring people (and ourselves) solely by their results. Instead, we should look deeper: understand the context, circumstances, and history. Accepting that we’re all unique and unequal in our starting points doesn’t make us weaker. It makes us human.

And in that lies true freedom—not in striving to become anyone, but in the courage to be yourself, with all your imperfections.