Introduction
Stereotypes greatly influence the lives of people. From the moment of birth, a human gets into the classification system. Society tends to evaluate a person as a living collection of stereotypes. It is much easier to use various labels like “black”, “middle-aged”, or “man” than to go into deep analysis of the individual traits. Disability stereotypes are a very serious issue in modern society, as they have a long-lasting negative effect on disabled people. The purpose of this paper is to examine, how the stereotype is reinforced in the world, and how disabled people experience it.
The Image of Disabled People in the World
People judge others by their looks and manners. A fine complexion, fluent speech, and smooth movements are generally considered attractive. Therefore, the slightest incongruence in behavior or appearance is seen as an insult to the social norms. Extravagantly looking individuals always become the center of attention in any group of people. Schools present the most vivid examples. Children cast out or mock anyone who speaks funny, walks clumsily, or acts slowly. Adults tend to be more tolerant, but they also treat people with disabilities in a peculiar way.
Even insignificant physical disabilities brand people as different. The slightest limp warns others that the person is not right. A lost limb indicates that the worker is less able to do his job than others are. It is no coincidence that a wheelchair symbolizes disability. Physical impairments are hard to be ignored, and it is difficult to hide them.
Before the actual communication with a disabled person, other people can label him or her according to their attitude towards particular disabilities. Individuals with physical impairments are generally considered weak, dependent, and slow at work. In some cases, other members of society suspect physically disabled people in psychological instability. All these factors lead to fewer job opportunities and a lack of social relations for disabled people. Due to the stereotype, they live primarily in their families and communicate freely only with their relatives, close friends, and people with the same issues.
Behavioral or emotional disorders are also a great resource for stereotypes and can lead to even more serious consequences than physical disabilities. People without medical education can hardly understand the reasons for strange behavior. Furthermore, such disorders are often unseen from first sight. When a person starts to act unpredictably, it comes as a shock to the people around. Hence, mentally disabled individuals can be stereotyped as “crazy”. Their position in society is unstable. People do not know what to expect of them, how to evaluate their possibilities. Therefore, individuals with behavioral or emotional disorders feel constant suspicion from everyone surrounding them. According to Coleman et al., “As a consequence of feeling fearful or uncomfortable, individuals may desire physical or social distance from people with disabilities” (178).
Society Reinforces the Disability Stereotype
Mass media contributes a lot to the development of the disability stereotype. Horror films often feature maniacs who act almost like ordinary people but walk or talk with difficulty because of some trauma or mutation. Producers like to name a mental disorder as a reason for gruesome murders. Villains that act funny and strange receive more attention from viewers. Nevertheless, it contributes to the stereotype of disabled people as unstable and potentially dangerous individuals.
Even social support for people with disabilities often underlines their difference from the rest of society. They do not receive the same job and study opportunities as others because they are considered weak and unable to perform at the needed level. This stereotype bothered me personally. My 7th-grade teacher Ms. Clark gave me only easy work to do and expected little from me in comparison with other students. Although I would try my best to prove her wrong, it would still bring down my self-esteem.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Stereotype
ADHD is a frequently diagnosed neuropsychiatric disorder that affects mainly children and youth during their development. Although the symptoms may vary, people with ADHD are considered to have a short attention span. According to Melago, “children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, may be extremely fidgety, talk excessively, have difficulty completing quiet activities, and generally act like they have too much energy” (37). Such behavioral and mental characteristics turn a learning process into an ordeal for a student and a teacher as well. Therefore, in many cases, people try to make their tasks as easier as they can.
Teachers generally do not ask much from their students with ADHD. They fear overloading disabled children with heavy tasks. This situation leads to the development of a stereotype. Teachers and classmates see ADHD students as unable to take part in difficult activities. From an early age, children with this neuropsychiatric disorder feel underestimated. No matter, how hard they try to show their real abilities, teachers continue to regard them as weak. According to Wei et al., “learning and behavior problems often go hand-in-hand, and educators should be cognizant of interventions and services that can support both academic and behavioral needs of students” (215).
Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that children with ADHD can pay enough attention to the tasks they find interesting. Camilleri claims that “school presents these students and their parents with negative experiences which could be eliminated through understanding and collaboration between school staff, students and parents” (3). Students with ADHD can perform at a higher level than they are generally supposed to, but the stereotype about them hinders all possibilities for their further development. Many research projects explore the effective use of accommodations as a means to help ADHD students learn better and easier but with no credible results (Harrison et al. 595). This situation only supports the existing stereotype about ADHD students.
Conclusion
Stereotypes play a major role in society. When it comes to interpersonal communication, they create the first impression about interlocutors involved. People build their attitudes according to various stereotypes. This is especially important in the case of various disabilities. Individuals with physical or mental disabilities always have negative stereotypes surrounding them. Even when they try to achieve higher results and respect in society, they are bound by common attitudes towards them. All this supports the need for change in modern society.
Works Cited
Camilleri, Maria. Must I Sit Down?: A Study of the Experiences of Secondary School Male ADHD Students with Regards to Their Inclusion within the Inclusive Education System in Malta. MS Thesis. University of Malta, 2015.
Coleman, Jill M., et al. “Multiple Forms of Prejudice: How Gender and Disability Stereotypes Influence Judgments of Disabled Women and Men.” Current Psychology, vol. 34, no. 1, 2015, pp. 177-189.
Harrison, Judith R., et al. “Educational Accommodations for Students with Behavioral Challenges: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Review of Educational Research, vol. 83, no. 4, 2013, pp. 551-597.
Melago, Kathleen A. “Strategies for Successfully Teaching Students with ADD or ADHD in Instrumental Lessons.” Music Educators Journal, vol. 101, no. 2, 2014, pp. 37-43.
Wei, Xin, et al. “Longitudinal Effects of ADHD in Children With Learning Disabilities or Emotional Disturbances.” Exceptional Children, vol. 80, no. 2, 2014, pp. 205-219.