Why do people treat people with disabilities or syndromes or Autism like second class citizens?

Question

I had a brother with Sturge Weber Syndrome and Autistic tendencies. He also hada port wine bith mark all over his body.

He was the most kindest, understanding guy you could ever meet.

It angers me so much that strangers treat him and other people with disabilities like second class citizens. Why????

If only they got to know them they would see that they are often wonderful, beautiful people with so much to give.

Answer 1

It’s usually because of ignorance. People know very little about disabilities and therefore often make wrong assumptions. For example I’ve lost count of the times I’ve heard people say that autistic individuals are just badly parented brats. People see a behavioral problem and automatically assume that it’s because of lack of parenting and discipline or they think autism is just an excuse people use to get away with bad/weird behavior. So they think they are justified to look down on the autistic person and their family and treat them badly.



It makes me mad every time I hear that kind of attitude, but I think the best thing we can do is to educate people about various disabilities/illnesses/disorders so that they can understand them better and not make so many ignorant assumptions.

Answer 2

I totally agree with you, and i think the main reasons for people reacting badly to those that are different to them are:

a) Ignorance...they don't understand why they look/act differently to themselves so they are unaccepting

b) Fear. Although society has moved on a lot, there is still a certain stereotyped fear amongst some cultures/families/generations that mentally or physically different people are somehow dangerous. I don't know why this is, but i think it also stems from ignorance and a deeply wrong perception of what disabilities actually are.

c) Trying too hard! People realise what the 'problem' is, but try too hard to act like its cool and nothings different by overcompensating. This can be just as bad as ignorance. Just because someone has a disability of some sort doesn't make them a charity case!



Anyway, i totally agree with you that they can often be the most beautiful people, but unfortunately the world of stereotypes and false beliefs means its taking a bit longer for some without first-hand experience to feel the same.



It angers me too, but on a day-to-day basis the only thing we can do is act how we should - never, ever mock those different to you, treat everyone with respect, and value every single life with equal reverence.



Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way :)

Answer 3

I've noticed a lot of it has to do with greed, competition, and a persons need to feel worthy. It is human nature to pride yourself on your achievements in life, and there is nothing wrong with that as long as you aren't diminishing others in the process. Most people believe you can be successful no matter what your disability is, this is where the bad stigma comes from. They believe they are paying for you to have a free ride and never take into consideration that most disabled people have paid into the S.S. system, so in a sense they think you are stealing from them. They believe disabled people are the same as welfare recipients, but I'll be the first to tell you that people with disabilities aren't treated nearly as well by our government.



A lot of people also feel that people with disabilities are faking their ailments, or that they should have been put down before they were born. It all comes down to a persons need to feel more worthy than the next guy, and to feel superior to others because they aren't willing to focus on their own flaws, they would rather divert attention to someone elses. ;-)

Answer 4

People treat disabled as second class citizens because they are ignorant and can't bear the thought of anyone who is different or freakish. As a disabled person I find this very insulting and offensive when it happens, but it's the culture and society a person is brought up in that influences these kinds of views.

The way to handle is positive media representations of autism and learning disabilities in general. But what can one person do to help with the problem? Invite your brother out with friends who understand so he feels more confident around others.

Answer 5

Unfortunaterly it is human nature to treat anyone who has noticeable differences as threats to the integrity of a family or tribe. (At the basic level they might have an infectious disease ... and people thought the gods sent those to punish them). It is only thru civilization that cultures have enabled disabled people to live a more normal life.

It's like trying to legislate against sexual preferences, it's just not going to go away from lurking just beneath the surface because it is entirely natural.

Yes they are wonderful, beautiful people with a lot to give. While we keep civilized values we can all benefit from them.

Answer 6

Because some so called normal people are dumb arses. I have an intellectually impaired daughter who has started to throw herself around & yelling abuse at me in public. Yes people stare god help them if I hear them make a comment on her behaviour. People can be nasty creatures towards something they know nothing about because it scares them. Some think the disabilities are contagious like some diseases.I believe as carers, family members & friends of disabled people its our god given right to educate those who think its their right to discriminate, abuse, humiliate & hurt with nasty comments. Freedom of speech is just as much our right as it is theirs only we already have inside knowledge on disabilities that they don't have so that puts us one step ahead of them in the first place. My daughter goes to a Special school for disabled children & we all get our back up over comments nasty people make even when its not directed at our children. I'm sure your brother is one of the most wonderful & beautiful people on this world. just as I saw a little blonde hair down syndrome girl out shopping yesterday I couldn't help but to have a good look at her & think how gorgeous she looked & how beautiful she will look in a few years from now.

Answer 7

It's ignorance. People see someone acting "weird" or who looks different and don't know what to make of them. For example my boyfriend and I were on the bus one day and this guy got on who I clearly thought had some kind of mental disability. When he got off the bus my boyfriend looked at me and said "Wow, that guy's messed up." He thought the guy was high on drugs.



People just don't know about disabilities so they don't know how to react and therefore are hostile, rude, or just plain indifferent to people with disabilities.

Answer 8

Trying to be reasonable right here and say at the societal stage, healing of females in Mormon societies aren't dangerous. It might be the person guy that might ever overtly discriminate towards females and are not able to be straight blamed at the church. If you appear on the countrywide traditional of females's salaries in comparison to guys's salaries. And you checked out Utah's traditional of females's salaries in comparison to guys's salaries it's in the back of the curve. Now you additionally have got to appear on the traditional females in top stage positions nationally vs Utah and notice the change. Now you will have to additionally consider the quantity of females that desire to transport into those top energy positions. From solutions from Mormon females right here on Yahoo Answers they may be able to testify to what they're taught approximately in church approximately wherein their priorities will have to be. They can testify that it is not directed closer to the personnel. So this peaks into faith. No females will ever maintain any function the person holds. But that's an identical in such a lot religions so that you can not factor the finger on the faith for that. But that's provided that you're evaluating religions which we all know we do not love to do. It is taught to females that in the end is alleged and performed. Judgment has been made within the afterlife and one last proper of passage comes from the husband the lady was once married to within the mortal existence within the temple. They need to have the husbands permission to be with them within the Celestial kingdom. What type of message does this ship to females? I was once raised mormon and continually revered females however have got to consider deep down and severe approximately the discrimination that's instilled. It isn't obvious at the floor however will exhibit by way of in records and the attitudes of females in Mormon society vs a countrywide traditional. I actually think females are as shrewd if now not smarter than guys on traditional. I think females make higher bosses than guys. I'm now not announcing all females are well bosses or all guys are dangerous bosses. I think chess is a mans sport as a result of the sort of pageant concerned and females quite simply positioned their aggressive part to different matters they're extra occupied with, obviously. So you'll continually see guys on an traditional higher at chess than females. Not on account that guys are smarter. It is solely they care extra approximately it. I am most effective bringing up the sport chess to take a look at and give an explanation for how I see a few variations among guys and females. Seriously bless all females. You are the material of what makes a society first-rate. You hold society stage headed and are continually extra risk-free in making well rational selections in occasions of want. Mormons can't be blamed on my own for the suppression of females. But they have got a few matters of their faith that direct females the improper method from actual equality.

Answer 9

When we are physically handicapped we are lowered to a sub human level. Discrimination. In R,I, the majority of the people believe if you are epileptic, have C.P., or something else from the brain - one has to be a witch or possessed by the devil. When I moved from that state and employers only said their insurance would not cover me (still illegal) it felt like a relief.

Perhaps they are all afraid they may become like us? Some have said to me That they are all better that us/me. "You can never be good enough". My mom tried to make me fail school. Neighbors found out and tutored me to an honor roll student. My mom has always hated them all.

Answer 10

I feel your question to be somewhat rhetorical. Unfortunately it is not going to go away but people are being more tolerant towards it which is always good. I used to get a lot of shtick as a dyspraxic (not as severe i know). Sad world we live in but as long as you can see your brothers inner beauty someone else will.

Answer 11

It is partially due to PWD stigma, ignorance, fear, and negative stereotyped attitudes/ideals that people have about PWDs.



To fodaddy19: The reason why you are getting Thumbs Down" is because of the statement "If you treat a PWD differently then you get accused of being patronizing and *not* treating them the same as a normal person". You are suggesting that PWDs are NOT normal persons. PWDs ARE normal persons who just so happen to have Disabilities.



To fodaddy19: When I first read your original statement, I did understand the point that you was trying to make.

Answer 12

I think the media is the reason ppl on the autistic spectrum are getting such a bad rap these days.

Answer 13

fear and lack of understanding are usually why peopel do this to anyone,

theunknown scares most of us, pepel, are no exception to that, life after death may be the biggesst unknown, but its not the only one that causes problems in soceity



im sorry your brother got such rubbish from peopel in soceity, its a horrible shame ,but they missed out, they didnt get to know him, and from what you tell us about him, he woudlhave benefited their lives

Answer 14

Sometimes, it's a Catch 22 situation. If you treat PWD the same as you would treat a normal person you get criticized for not being sensitive to their condition. If you treat a PWD differently then you get accused of being patronizing and *not* treating them the same as a normal person.



Edit: wow 4 thumbs down right off, the bat and unsurprisingly no actual response. How about this? If you have a problem with me, email me and air your grievances, perhaps there is a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up.



Edit: King, I don't think's it's just that, I get constant thumbs down no matter what my answer is. I guess it's some kind of vendetta. But you did make a valid point. Although it was not my intention to make it sound like I was suggesting that PWD weren't people, I can see where my choice of words could be construed as such. So that one's on me. I apologize for any confusion. The point was going for was that it's hard for people to find a happy medium. If you are overly concerned with a person's disability, then you can be accused of looking past the person and only seeing the disability. In contrast, if you aren't mindful of the person's disability at all, then you can be faulted for not being sensitve to the person's differences.

Answer 15

i dont because 2 close friends to my family hav autism and we treat them regular and all have fun together

Answer 16

may God bless you and your brother. i think some people are just ignorant, and others are plain uncaring and/or mean. i am sorry you and your brother have been hurt.

Answer 17

Sadly too many people believe the stigma attached to many disabilities. They can't see past their prejudices. They can't see the person your brother is and instead only see what they have been taught to believe and fear. They are the ones who lose the opportunity to know your brother.

Answer 18

It is our sick society we live in. It is full of ignorance.

Answer 19

because they are ignorant to people different than themselves.

Answer 20

Because they don't know what to do suddenly. One minuet in charge the next Duh.

They don't know what to expect. Afraid they will do say think something they shouldn't. Pity instantly sets in but we have trained them we don't want their pity. So they are afraid to show any.

They just suddenly want to be somewhere more comfortable to them.

You have to forgive them. They are only human and untrained. As they get to know him they will chill. Give them time. I bet he does.

He should be outgoing and put them at ease.