Do you you know the meaning of the word "scourge"? I already knew it, it's a kind of whip used to beat people who get uppity, like slaves and other inferior people who did not remember their place, bet you long for those days. if you consider the societal pressure to be a civilized and polite human to be a "scourge" then I wonder what you think of real things the term is supposed to apply to like disease, poverty, hunger and ignorance.
It is also... Number 3 would be the most commonly used form of the word.
1.
a whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture.
2.
a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.
3.
a cause of affliction or calamity: Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.