The Policy Resistance archetype occurs when the actors within the system “resist” the rules or laws imposed on them. The goals of the policy do not align with the goals of the actors.
Resisting the Abortions Ban
In the 1960s, the Romanian government wanted to encourage population growth by banning abortions. Rather than obediently comply with laws, people began seeking illegal abortions, posing greater health risks to themselves. Some dumped their babies in orphanages. Even others gave their babies AIDS-infected blood transfusions to shorten lifespans.
Resisting the War on Drugs
In 1971, the U.S. government declared cocaine to be Public Enemy Number One. The legal system assigned harsh prison sentences for those caught possessing drugs. The result? Cocaine use continued to prevail; meanwhile, prison costs exploded as their populations filled up with criminals sent there for nonviolent drug crimes. This broke families apart and led to greater insecurity in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.
Read essays with the Policy Resistance archetype
Index of Archetypes:
Systems & Us 
Seriously? Aids in 1960???