A tentative definition of Social Devaluation Module: Social Devaluation and its consequences

Devaluation is not the same as: Being rude, impolite, discourteous Disliking a person (we may devalue people whom we dislike, but we may devalue people whom we do not know) Making demands upon a person

Social Devaluation Definition The attribution of low, even no value To a person or group By another person or group On the basis of some characteristic (usually a difference) Perceived as negatively significant by the devaluer

How do people become devalued in the eyes of others?  Every society has certain qualities and conditions which are regarded as positive or negative  Some conditions are highly regarded in some cultures and not in others  The judgment depends on the particular society

Western Society values…..  Wealth, material possessions  Health, beauty, fitness  Youth, newness  Intelligence, competence and independence  Productivity and achievement  Individualism and choice  Pleasure

Typical Life Experiences of People who are Devalued Identity reduced to that of an impairment Likely to have low social status/standing Likely to be rejected Likely to be cast into negative social roles

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard 10. Dead, Dying, Better off dead

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything)

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard 10. Dead, Dying, Better off dead

Ways in Which People are Marked 1. Where people spend their time (setting) 2. With whom people spend their time (grouping) 3. What people spend their time doing (use of time and activity) 4. What people look like (image and competency) 5. How people are spoken about (language)

Typical life experiences contd. Loss of control of one’s own life and reputation Disruption of relationships (friends, family, community) Loss of natural, freely given relationships

Common forms of control of people who are devalued Being kept dependent upon individual service providers or agencies Having to deal with, and report to agencies, offices, authorities Having to fill out forms, often without being able to cope with them Being ‘labelled’ Being moved about Having ones life wasted

An Internalised Sense of Worthlessness Awareness of being a source of anguish to others Personal insecurity Dislike of self Hatred & persecution of others, even ones supporters Seeing self as a failure

Impact of social devaluation and wounding It impacts at many levels (individual, family, service system, society) It is not good for anyone at any level but particularly hurtful and harmful to people who are devalued and their families We all experience some ‘wounds’ in our lives but there are differences