"Alienation as our present destiny is achieved only by outrageous violence perpetrated by human beings on human beings," (R.D Laing). Laing, a psychiatrist, was being truthful, that alienation is a cynical human act of negativity. For those who don't know, the act of alienation, is to cause someone to become unfriendly or disloyal (Webster's Dictionary for Students, 10), simply to separate one's self from another based on, of course, preconceived opinion. Alienation is prevalent among the mentally retarded, regardless of age. In fact, studies have found that the mentally retarded experience more loneliness than their peers without disability (Monica R. Brown, 2004).
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Isolation is related to alienation.
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Alienation can and will have adverse affects on the mentally retarded. Heck, it will have adverse affects on anyone! The negative sense of rejection from society creates a negative self image.
"The handicapped individual is profoundly influenced by society's indication of his/her role and status of behaviour. Studies show that self-image of the handicapped child is often a reflection of social stereotypes, or a reaction to them; rejection, for example, produces inferiority, self consciousness, and fear." (G. Allan Roeher, 1979)
In my next post, I will be expanding on the prevalence of alienation towards the mentally retarded, to express the seriousness of this situation, along with it's negative affect on the mentally retarded citizen.
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