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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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)

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

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

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

37. 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

38. 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

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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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