Are we so intolerant that we cannot accept the different ?

The way we perceive another, the way we react and the manner by which we approach another individual depends upon the third law of Newton, every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction. Each individual is different, yet a differently-abled person stands out in the society and thus faces ostracisation. Being differently-abled is not an individual’s choice, so why are we so indifferent towards them?

Each person is a microcosm of his or her social macrocosm. A person’s self-belief, esteem, norms, behaviour and attitudes are born out of their experiences in life. Each individual converts or adapts to the needs of society and, in the process, becomes socialised.

From early childhood, humans continually strive to be accepted as a member of social groups in diverse sociological settings. This is a way for them to achieve a sense of security. Their position in their family, their equations with their peer group, each reflects a desire to belong to these groups and occupy a certain status in each setting. If a situation threatens their position in the social system, it produces anxiety, may cause a disorganisation within the person, and provoke a reaction of alienation.

The mortality rates in children born with mental illness and those born with hearing impairment have been found to be far higher than in other children, though neither condition is a forerunner of premature fatality. In several countries, census of children with cerebral palsy has found that few survived beyond 15 years of age, yet children living with similar disability in other parts of the world live much longer. [Disability: Challenges versus Responses. By Ali Baquer and Anjali Sharma (1997)]

Historically, the human society has however always tended to isolate persons with disabilities.  Despite some initiatives, social discrimination of people with disabilities continues to be a serious and pervasive global problem. Even in developed countries, people with disabilities are a discrete and insular minority, subjected to biases and prejudices, unequal treatment, and relegated to a position of socio-economic, political and cultural powerlessness in the social fabric.

People with disabilities endure constant social stigmatism in the form of social discrimination. Their quality of life is largely governed by beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of other people who have little or no patience to recognise their needs. The discriminatory behaviour is widely prevalent all over the world, in all cultures, in all strata of society, and afflicts even the most educated.

Such notions that no step, however generous or large, can help the lot of people with disabilities further queer the pitch. Be it the man on the street, be it political, social or religious leaders, or be it national and international agencies, suffer with such preju­dices and biases, and percolate discriminatory social behaviour without making suitable amendments in the legislations, policies and practices.

The sight of a person who appears different or functions in a different manner evokes different kind of reactions in different people. While some people experience discomfort, the ‘discrepancy’ may generate petrifaction, pain, or fear, and produce an attitude of avoidance, stigmatism, distancing, deni­gration and stereotyping. These reactions and subsequent behaviour are guided by the desire of avoiding visual and physical contact with people with disabilities and maintaining the least possible communication with them.

A report published by Resources for Disabled Students (RDS) in 2010 mentions how in some parts of the world  discrimination against people with disabilities is so severe that the civilised world must hang its head in shame. Newborn babies with any visible impairment are put to death, and mothers who do not conform are threatened with severe sanctions. Equally, in many families, children with disabilities are kept hidden from the public eye. Parental and familial neglect is extremely common. Such harsh behaviours are widely prevalent, though not much talked about. Disability studies published from a large number of countries bear this out.

Discrimination implies a denial of opportunity, unequal treatment, and exclusion from the main channels of economic and social life. The social effects of physical disability tend to create a social distance between the disabled and their families and the community.

Subjected to constant prejudices and humiliation, people with disabilities tend to feel discouraged, frustrated and estranged from the society. They may consider ways to bring fundamental changes in the social system, to disregard the set of values that classifies them as marginal human beings and at best, accords them a status of second-class citizens.

By treating the differently-abled as inferior, by murdering the newborn special child, by suffocating the differently-abled to commit suicide, aren’t we behaving like a dictator wanting to create a perfect race. Are we so intolerant that we cannot accept the different?

 

  Author  : Apporva Aggarval 

Source : Tehelka Blog , 12th June 2013