Deviant Physical Characteristics Deviant Bodies Constructionism What is
Deviant Physical Characteristics
Deviant Bodies… Constructionism: What is normal is a matter of definition, a cultural product. . Normalcy or Goffman’s “normals” = positive treatment Undesirable and negatively valued physical traits = condemnation and labeling as “morally inferior” Four types of bodies judged to be deviant:
n Physically Disabled n Ugly (unaesthetic) n Radically altered n Obese
Sociocultural values We live in a world that values and privileges the “able” body over the “disabled” body: set as opposites n The disability is viewed as the problem, not the values of society n As a result, we are given the message that one should fear having, or acquiring, a disability n Often we feel distress and sympathy for those afflicted and respect (underdog) n Then why stigmatize? n
Think about it…
Let’s start here…. . What does it mean to be “disabled”? n What does it mean to have a “mental illness” or mental disorder? n Is having an impairment the same thing as having a disability? n How do we, as a society, react to these issues? n
Impairment vs. Disability n Impairment is the loss of or limitation of physical, mental, or sensory function on a long-term or permanent basis
Disability is the loss of or limitation of opportunities to take part in community life on an equal level with others. n Creates social, political, and economical isolation n Exacerbated by individual and institutional discrimination n
Abelism Discrimination of individuals with disabilities
Ideals of Beauty: The able body
Symmetry and “beauty” “Possession of one deviant trait may have a generalized symbolic value, so that people automatically assume that its bearer possesses other undesirable traits allegedly associated with it. ” (Becker, 1963) n Dion (1972) study – attractive versus unattractive children and behavior, as perceived by teachers. n
For example:
And?
and?
And?
The two sides Essentialism/positivism – does the disability exist? n Constructionism – is the disability created through labels? n Or both? n
Role of Popular Culture Frequently ignores those with disabilities n Uses negative stereotypes to represent people with disabilities n Focuses on the disability, not the person n More reliance on visible than non-visible disabilities n Has the potential to change itself, and societal perceptions of disabilities n
10 common stereotypes n n n n n Stereotype 1: To be pitied Stereotype 2: Victims Stereotype 3: Sinister or Evil Stereotype 4: Exotic, curious Stereotype 5: Triumph over tragedy Stereotype 6: Laughable entertainment Stereotype 7: Resentful and hostile Stereotype 8: Burden to others /dependant on others Stereotype 9: Non-sexual Stereotype 10: Cannot participate fully in everyday life
Evil or Sinister
Resentful and hostile
Laughable figures
How do people acquire deviant bodies? Born with it – dwarfism, albinism n Accident or disease – blindness n Engaging in risky or harmful behavior – smoking/cancer, addicts/AIDS, NASCAR/neck, back injuries, etc. n Cultural norms mandate – tattoos, scarification n Choice – Western body modification n
Who is Disabled? Anyone with a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life areas n The gender difference: n ¨ Under age 65 – men ¨ Over age 65 – women
n The racial difference: ¨ Asians self-report the lowest rates of disability ¨ Blacks, American Indians and Alaskan Natives tie for self-reporting the highest rates of disability
And then there’s poverty… n The poverty factor: ¨ In 2000, 8. 7 million people with disabilities were poor ¨ The highest poverty rates in both cases were found among children aged 5 to 15 ¨ young people with disabilities had a poverty rate of 25. 0 percent, compared with 15. 7 percent for those without disabilities.
And geography… Almost two out of every five people with a disability lived in the South n West Virginia, the state with the highest median age in the United States, also recorded the highest disability rate for 2000 n Counties with very high disability rates were clustered in the coal mining areas of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia n
And then there’s work… n The 1997 median earnings for people with no disability with $23, 700 ¨ compared disability n n with $20, 500 for those with a slight $13, 300 for those with a severe disability One in five workers with a disability had difficulty remaining employed or finding a job.
Major Life Areas Include: n n Caring for oneself Performing manual tasks Walking Talking n n n Seeing Hearing Breathing Learning Working
Traditional Model n Oldest model n Places blame on the individual for having something wrong with him or her n Disability is seen as shameful and something to hide
Medical Model n 18 th Century shifted to a scientific understanding of the causes of impairments n Focused on cure and rehabilitation n The impairment is the problem resulting in implication that the disabled individual is never “okay”
Social Model n Looks at the strengths of a person with impairment n Identifies the physical and social barriers that obstruct individuals with impairments n The structures within society are the problem – not the individual n Embraces disability as a diversity, minority group, and civil rights issue
Disability Discrimination Myth Disability is something an individual “suffers” from
Disability Discrimination Fact Disability is the product of an interaction between the person and the environment
Challenge Prejudice – Medical Model Thinking Individual is faulty n Diagnosis n Labeling n Impairment becomes focus of attention n Assessment, monitoring, program of therapy imposed n Society remains unchanged n
Challenge Prejudice – Social Model Thinking n n n n Individual is not valued Strengths and needs defined by self and others Identify barriers and develop solutions Resources are available for ordinary services Relationships are nurtured Diversity welcomed, individual is included Society evolves
Section 504 of Human Rights Act Passed in 1973 n “No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of…disability, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance n
Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Passed in 1990 n The ADA is a federal civil rights law n Comparable to civil rights law passed in the 1960’s for other minorities n Covers employment, state, and local government services, public accomodations, and telecommunications for the deaf n
Federal and State Law Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1986 (amended by Workforce Investment Act of 1998) ¨ Federal and State agencies’ electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. n Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ¨ Telecom equipment and software must be accessible if that is “readily achievable. ” n HB 2819 ¨ Ties the requirement for accessibility to the national Section 508 Accessibility Standards.
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