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 Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On others Child: Eternally, Once again Client (forever, for everything) Sick Garbage, Discard Dead, Dying, Better off dead I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others Child: Eternally, Once again I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others Child: Eternally, Once again Client (forever, for everything) I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others Child: Eternally, Once again Client (forever, for everything) Sick I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others Child: Eternally, Once again Client (forever, for everything) Sick Garbage, Discard I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable Menace, Object of Fear Object of Ridicule Object of Pity Burden: Of Charity, On Others Child: Eternally, Once again Client (forever, for everything) Sick Garbage, Discard Dead, Dying, Better off dead I recommend that “client” is added to this list. It also connects to the wounds under loss of autonomy and control.

Typical life experiences contd. Marked or branded as different or deviant Suspected of having other deviancies, deficits, impairments Separated from others. Being segregated, kept out, excluded

Forms of physical segregation/congregation Physical exclusion (architectural barriers) Physical segregation (separate facilities) Physical confinement (prisons, nursing homes) Physical ejection (banishment/exile) Physical destruction (abortion, euthanasia)

Forms of social segregation/congregation Avoiding interaction with the person (e.g. ignoring the presence of someone or pretending they are not present) Using language, images or actions which degrade the age or status of a person (e.g. ‘talking down’ to a person, treating him/her as a child

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

Common forms of control contd. Being forced to live in ghettoes or other ‘special’ places Being otherwise confined, as in institutions, prisons Having one’s associations controlled Being disenfranchised (e.g. losing rights of typical citizens)

Typical Life Experiences contd. Being denaturalized (not being seen as as citizen at all) Not seen or treated as an individual Poverty of material things and typical life experiences Life wasted

Financial poverty Most people who are devalued are poor Wealth can be a defence against becoming devalued The consequences of being poor add significantly to other devaluing conditions such as intellectual disability or mental illness

Poverty of life experiences People who are valued gather and integrate their life experiences - it is the basis of our development and growth People who are devalued, and who do not have typical life experiences are much more likely to have their lives wasted Low (non-developmental) expectations are a critical element of life-wasting

Expressions of Brutalisation Denial/withholding of treatment Excessive/abusive use of drugs Dumping people into community without support Social marginalisation Outright violence by families, workers, wider society

Expressions of Brutalisation Outright killing Encouraging or supporting suicide or euthanasia These forms or expressions can be considered as a continuum which has increasingly serious consequences

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

Personal insecurity can take many forms: Testing genuineness of new relationships Inventing relationships Searching for the abandoner Seeking/demanding physical contact Withdrawing from human contact Turning hurt into rage or anger

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

Heightened Vulnerability We all experience vulnerability, but there are crucial differences between people who are valued, and those who are devalued Devalued people live in a state of ‘heightened vulnerability’ Negative life experiences which inflict people with devalued status can have a much more devastating impact

Strategies to address devaluation & wounding We need to be conscious of our ability, both individually and collectively, to hurt or harm people who are devalued We need to be aware of the need to compensate for ‘heightened vulnerability’ of people who are devalued We need to be aware of the power of valued roles

Roles impact powerfully upon: Image in the eyes of others (status & reputation) Image in own eyes (self-image) Acceptance & belonging Associations & relationships Autonomy & freedom

Roles impact powerfully upon: Personal growth & development Opportunities to make contributions to others & society Material side of life Lifestyle

Strategies to address devaluation & wounding The importance of a developmental approach The power of imitation The power of positive imagery (it is not just what we do, but how it looks) Helping people who are devalued to become, or remain, community members

Assumptions we need to consider: That all humans have equal value & worth People who are devalued have been given a raw deal; they deserve better All humans have the potential, and are capable of growth & development Devalued people are more vulnerable than typical community members

Assumptions contd. Devaluation is a societal problem and needs to be addressed at a number of levels: Individual Family Service system Society

Assumptions about what should be: Every person should be valued & seen as a human being All human beings should be offered opportunities to have a ‘good life’ regardless of personal conditions Concerted efforts are required to ensure that devalued people have opportunities to have a good life

Potential roles for workers: Connector/reconnector to family, community, society Interpreter of the person with a disability to community, and the community to the person Facilitator of positive roles & interactions with members of the community

Potential roles for workers: Role model for the person and the community Advocate for the inclusion of the person in all aspects of community life (social & physical) Protector against any actions which may exclude or segregate Protector (as much as possible) against hurtful or harmful aspects of living in the community