You’re Not a Retard You’re Just Wise, Essay Example

The study examined the duke family and the effect of the state on their mental health as well as mental development. This is the context of the social meaning of disability. Included in this is the cognitive social mental construction of disability. This stigma associated with disabilities is not just recognition of a profound difference but an almost intuitive debasement and discrediting of their moral character. (Taylor S.J., 2000)

The study method was to examine their lives in the distinct strata of social interactions, which included interactions as well as interviews and finally government documentation from psychiatrist. The medical fraternity examined the duke family from a psychiatric and physiological angle.  The government institutions interaction with them is from an educational and social welfare angle. The study also interviewed members of the family to get their view of the said named interactions.

The findings of the study are that the institutionalization of the conditions of the family doesn’t mean they are stigmatized. They are able to live positive lives despite of the label government places on them throughout their lives at their different stages from school to welfare. The conclusive document looks at the identity constructed by the state and the Duke family members. The identities have a semblance of confluence between the agency or program and the family members. (Taylor S.J., 2000)

References

Taylor S.J., (2000) “ You’re not a retard, you’re just wise’: Disability, social identity and family networks”. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol. 29. Sage Publications. U.S.A