What is primarily controlled in a "Total Institution"?

A total institution is defined as a place where individuals are cut off from the wider society for an extended period of time and are subject to strict control over nearly every aspect of their daily lives. This concept was most famously articulated by sociologist Erving Goffman, who described total institutions like prisons, military boot camps, and mental health facilities as environments where the normal barriers between the individual and society are removed, allowing institutions to take complete control over their residents.

In such settings, everything from what individuals wear, when they eat, how they interact with others, and even their daily schedules is regulated by the institution. The goal is often to resocialize or rehabilitate individuals by imposing a controlled routine and environment, stripping away their previous autonomy. This comprehensive regulation of daily life is what defines a total institution, making it clear why day-to-day life is the primary focus of control.

This understanding helps clarify that while the other options may touch on aspects of total institutions, they do not encapsulate the core function as comprehensively as the control over daily life. Financial assets, freedoms, and moral values can be influenced within such institutions, but they are secondary to the overarching control of daily routines and living conditions.