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, Vegetable2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On others6. Child: Eternally, Once again7. Client (forever, for everything)8. Sick9. Garbage, Discard10. 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 Fear3. Object of Ridicule

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable

2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable

2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. 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 Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others6. Child: Eternally, Once again

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable

2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others6. Child: Eternally, Once again7. Client (forever, for everything)

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others6. Child: Eternally, Once again7. Client (forever, for everything)8. Sick

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others6. Child: Eternally, Once again7. Client (forever, for everything)8. Sick9. Garbage, Discard

The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed

1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable2. Menace, Object of Fear3. Object of Ridicule4. Object of Pity5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others6. Child: Eternally, Once again7. Client (forever, for everything)8. Sick9. Garbage, Discard10. Dead, Dying, Better off dead

Ways in Which People are Marked1. 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