INTRODUCTION
This report will look at how communities label people with disabilities. It will also focus on how such practices will affect the daily lives of people with mental and learning disabilities. The author will explain in detail the definitions of labeling and disability, and then examine the current legislations set by the government to improve life styles of the disabled people. Comparison will be done on the impact of social and medical models on disability, and on how these models try to explore techniques of inclusion and exclusion . Labeling theories will be discussed and this piece will sum up the debate with a brief summative conclusion.
LABELLING THEORY
Mencap (2009) defined labeling as putting someone in a stereotypical category. Usually when people are labeled it gives a negative idea from those who are able thus resulting in prejudice and discrimination. For instance a label such as 'disable ' tends to dehumanize people. Disabled people 's self worth experiences and opportunities will be affected negatively. They end up feeling depressed, frustrated and angry. Swain et al (2007) therefore argues for pursuits of inclusion and adoption as alternative perspectives based on human rights
On the other hand some theorists argue that labels give people identity. For example in case of a career such as a ‘social worker’ it can be taken positively (Giddens (2006).
When people are labeled their behavior change in order to suit the label they are tied to.
According to Becker 's labeling theory labeling affects not only how others perceive an individual but also on the individual 's sense of self (cited in Giddens, (2006 p800). Labeling of people with disability will associate them wit...
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...not have problems with adjusting but society does not give them the chance to adjust.
Beresford and Oldham (2002) argue that applying a social model to housing is not just about physical access but it is also about issues such as play space, safety, location and housing quality. The social model therefore embraces both the physical and the emotional needs of the disabled and their families.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion this report has given explanation of the terms labeling and disability. It has also looked at the legislations passed to protect those with disabilities from harassment by the able bodied. Models of disability have been discussed and relevant examples given. The essay has also looked at several ways of improving the lives of the disabled in order to include them into all social structures and to allow them to live a normal life as any other persons.
The two essays “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs and “A Plague of Tics” by David Sedaris are excellent pieces of work that share many similarities. This paper would reflect on these similarities particularly in terms of the author, message and the targeted audience. On an everyday basis, people view those with disabilities in a different light and make them conscious at every step. This may be done without a conscious realisation but then it is probably human nature to observe and notice things that deviate from the normal in a society. In a way people are conditioned to look negatively at those individuals who are different in the conventional
Labeling theory is an issue that has been raised that deserves a closer look. Labeling theory, the impression that the public labels certain people as different from the normal conduct. (Popple and Leighninger, 2011) Everyone labels in society. An actor can be labeled into a certain part thought out his/her career. A boss is labeled horrible for firing one individual. Society uses labels and it defines people. The book brought up two points of labeling that should be explored. The first point is the label of developmental disabilities will give a diagnosis. People who have developmental disabilities have it, and they cannot change the situation. It can be manageable, but there will always be the label. The second point is that the society label and perception of the label. There is a stigma in the public about developmental disabilities. Although more accepted than mental illness, developmental disability has a label of individuals being stupid and slow. Labeling theory can be seen throughout history. Chapter thirteen points out that history can shape individual’s label of developmentally disabilities.
Disability is a ‘complex issue’ (Alperstein, M., Atkins, S., Bately, K., Coetzee, D., Duncan, M., Ferguson, G., Geiger, M. Hewett, G., et al.., 2009: 239) which affects a large percentage of the world’s population. Due to it being complex, one can say that disability depends on one’s perspective (Alperstein et al., 2009: 239). In this essay, I will draw on Dylan Alcott’s disability and use his story to further explain the four models of disability being The Traditional Model, The Medical Model, The Social Model and The Integrated Model of Disability. Through this, I will reflect on my thoughts and feelings in response to Dylan’s story as well as to draw on this task and my new found knowledge of disability in aiding me to become
Deviant labeling can cause a process that can lead to exclusion from specific relationships with others and from legitimate opportunities. There are two separate processes between social exclusion. The first is conventional others, peers, community members, and gatekeepers in the opportunity structure can reject or devalue the labeled person. The second process of social exclusion within labeling may lead to social withdrawal due to rejection or devaluation. Social interactin of normal people and stigmatized individuals can often entail uneasiness, embarrassment, ambiguity, and intense efforts at impression management. Individuals who are labeled as deviant often internalize the beliefs about how people devalue and react negatively to labeled deviants. With drawls of people who have been labeled can lead to fewer social networks and fewer attempts at seeking a satisfying
Labeling is a big issue in the society in which we live in. As students, educators and of course humans we are consistently labeling others and ourselves. “Seeing the student “by Ayers brings to light the issues among labeling students. Ayers depicts the issue of labeling students with different disabilities whether it is a learning disability or a physical disability. The idea that some educators are unable to see the best out of their students raises a great issue on how students are affected by us as their teachers.
Historically, we have been taught that people with disabilities are different and do not belong among us, because they are incompetent, cannot contribute to society or that they are dangerous. We’re still living with the legacy of people with disabilities being segregated, made invisible, and devalued. The messages about people with disabilities need to be changed. There needs to be more integration of people with disabilities into our culture to balance out the message. Because of our history of abandonment and initialization, fear and stigma impact our choices more than they would if acceptance, community integration, and resources were a bigger part of our history.
This essay response will focus on justifying why service user involvement / participation is important in the development of services for adults. To understand this, I will first look into the ideological principles that have shifted social work practice towards user participation before looking at the different ways these concepts have played out, with a particular focus on service users with disabilities. Service user ‘involvement’ and ‘participation’ in social work practice is underpinned by the fundamental values that services should be ‘user-centred’, ‘user led’ and ‘needs led’ (Warren, 2008). I have chosen to focus on adults with disabilities because there has been much recent development and policies put into place for this group of people. However, they are still considered one of the most vulnerable groups in society (Kemshall and Littlechild, 2000. The meaning of disability is a contested concep...
Labeling theory demonstrates how society organizes and structures relationships, individuals, and classes based on an identity. Labeling theory is subjective, therefore the theory studied the way it is applied and the reaction of others. Labels dive deep into a person’s self-conscious and impacts that person sense of self, esteem, and the way society sees them. This theory itself brings true meaning to the concept that, the way you see yourself, is the way others will see
Once we understand why we act in labeling people, we can work on eliminating the habit of labeling others. We can overcome it by promoting absolute approval, sympathy, and consideration. We can learn to observe and experience the world without judgment. We can remain detached from expectations and demands. We can learn to accept people as they are and will not cause them unnecessary pain.
It could be said that in modern industrial society, disability is still widely regarded as a tragic individual failing, in which its “victims” require care, sympathy and medical diagnosis. Whilst medical science has served to improve and enhance the quality of life for many, it could be argued that it has also led to further segregation and separation of many individuals. This could be caused by its insistence on labelling one as “sick”, “abnormal” or “mental”. Consequently, what this act of labelling and diagnosing has done, is enforce the societal view that a disability is an abnormality that requires treatment and that any of its “victims” should do what is required to be able to function in society as an able bodied individual. The social model of disability argues against this and instead holds the view that it is society, not the individual, that needs to change and do what is required, so that everyone can function in society.
...isability is a denial of reality or truth, not societal oppression but a denial or disregard to the truth that disabled people simply cannot access or be involved in all activities within society, due to their impairments. Conversely we could argue that a societal defence mechanism is a denial of its own weakness that makes it exploit the weaknesses of others by isolating people with differences from society. However, from a social model perspective we could hypothesise that defence mechanisms are socially constructed and a way of creating internal harmony by identifying cause and effect, again from the environment in which the person lives. Defence mechanisms are a form of self esteem promotion, similar to the social model of disability, as the aim is challenge oppression and isolation in a bid to improve the self esteem of those with disabilities. (Jackson 1984)
Because of the ambiguity of the definition, there is a requirement to have the social model to help to provide the answers. As the social model illustrates how the social institutions, labels, and stereotypes impact the perceived abilities of a disabled person, it is shown that the definitions of what is “normal”, “good”, and “functional” all come from the current society in which the person lives. Additionally, as culture and these definitions change with time and new ideologies and technological advances, what defines a disabled person will also change with time. This is also true across cultures as there may be different requirements to be considered “functional” or in good health in other cultures. For instance, a man unable to walk may not be as hindered in his freedom of movement if he is only required to stay in a small local area, such as a village, in comparison to a large city. However, it is also important to point out that the social model requires the medical model as well because the social model fails to focus on the individual at a more micro level. A person may see others in a similar circumstance and react in a different
The World Health Organisation, WHO, (1980) defines disability in the medical model as a physical or mental impairment that restricts participation in an activity that a ‘normal’ human being would partake, due to a lack of ability to perform the task . Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (n.d.) states that the medical model emphasizes that there is a problem regarding the abilities of the individual. They argue that the condition of the disabled persons is solely ‘medical’ and as a result the focus is to cure and provide treatment to disabled people (Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, 2014). In the medical model, issues of disability are dealt with according to defined government structures and policies and are seen as a separate issue from ordinary communal concerns (Emmet, 2005: 69). According to Enabling Teachers and Trainers to Improve the Accessibility of Adult Education (2008) people with disabilities largely disa...
Disability: Any person who has a mental or physical deterioration that initially limits one or more major everyday life activities. Millions of people all over the world, are faced with discrimination, the con of being unprotected by the law, and are not able to participate in the human rights everyone is meant to have. For hundreds of years, humans with disabilities are constantly referred to as different, retarded, or weird. They have been stripped of their basic human rights; born free and are equal in dignity and rights, have the right to life, shall not be a victim of torture or cruelty, right to own property, free in opinion and expression, freedom of taking part in government, right in general education, and right of employment opportunities. Once the 20th century
...eglected social issues in recent history (Barlow). People with disabilities often face societal barriers and disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society. As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment, and community life which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being (Stefan). It is such barriers and discrimination that actually set people apart from society, in many cases making them a burden to the community. The ideas and concepts of equality and full participation for persons with disabilities have been developed very far on paper, but not in reality (Wallace). The government can make numerous laws against discrimination, but this does not change the way that people with disabilities are judged in society.