Children Who Are Born with Down Syndrome - Assignment Example

? of the Paper: Children who are born with the Down syndrome problem suffer from disability. As a result of their condition, they are faced with stigma, and discrimination. The theory of social identity better explains how discrimination, and stigma targeted to people with disability develop. On other hand, the gaze theory, the social model and the medical model explain how social identities are construed. They provide guidance on how to solve the various problems encountered by the disabled, and how social institutions can help. On this note, further research is justified to develop better policies that will lead to the inclusion of the disabled in all the affairs of the society. For many years, disabled people have faced stigma and discrimination. Shildrick (2009) denotes that during the ancient eras, a child born with any defect was either killed, or left in the wild. Shildrick observes that the Down syndrome phenomenon causes disability among children (2009). This problem makes children to feel inferior and this result to their exclusion from the various social affairs within the community (Shildrick, 2009). DePoy et al (2011) denotes that the Down syndrome phenomenon disfigures the face of a child. This condition has a direct influence on a child’s perception in the society (DePoy et al, 2011).This condition leads to the notion of social identity, which is a perception or attitude an individual or a group has towards another person or group. On this note, children with this condition place themselves within a specific social group that identifies with their needs and problems (DePoy et al, 2011). The social identity theory, developed by John Turner and Henri Tajfel best explains this problem (Tajfel, 1982). The social identity theory denotes that socialization is a process, and social identity is a process within socialization (Frances, 2004).According to Frances, for an individual to gain acceptance by a particular group, the same individual must portray similar characteristics with the particular group (2004). Frances further denotes that these shared characteristics provide a legitimate reason for the individual to gain acceptance within the particular group under consideration (2004). The social identity theory, as advocated by Henri Tajfel and John Turner denotes that a disabled person withdraws from the various activities within a society, because of the social environment in which they operate on. According to Giddens (2009), this withdrawal emanates from their inability to engage effectively with other social groups that operate within a community. Giddens introduces an aspect of the gaze theory in explaining the problems of the disabled within a community. Giddens (2009) denotes that the gaze theory measures the level of interaction between a child with disability, and a normal child. He further observes that the theory provides a solution that will address the various difficulties that disabled children suffer from, but this depends on the acceptance by the disabled person that he or she needs the help of a society (2009). The social identity theory emphasizes on limiting certain freedoms of these people, such as of movement and association (Oliver, 1990). Bluhm (2009) observes that the theory groups these people into a social group, this for purposes of identifying their needs and effectively satisfying them. This precipitates the construction of a social group, because the disabled are grouped according to their characteristics. This construed identity increases the level of discrimination and stigma in the society (Tremain, 2006). Raiser denotes that the social identity theory places people into groups, basing on their physical and social characteristics (1995). Bluhm et al (2009) introduces the notion of the gaze theory. He denotes that the theory observes the image of a person, and makes its comparison with a visual text (Bluhm et al, 2009). After analyzing the results of the comparisons, an individual is placed within a social group. He further denotes that codes regulate the interaction of people within a specific group (Bluhm et al, 2009). These codes are responsible for defining the various behaviors of these individuals, and limit their interaction to a specific activity, or level (DePoy, 2011). These codes can either come from various government legislations, perceptions of people and the culture of individuals concerned. According to Selikowitz (1997), disability is a result of physical, mental and emotiona problems. He denotes that Down syndrome is a major cause of disability amongst children, and is the main cause of facial disfigurement (Selikowitz, 1997). During the 20th century, children with the Down syndrome condition were placed in special institutions, limiting their interaction with the society (Pueschel, 2006). This behavior changed in the 1960s, with the rise of social movements which fought for the rights of these children. Marini et al, 2012 observes that Kathryn McGee formed the National Association of the Down syndrome to fight against this behavior of segregation of children with the Down syndrome problem. These institutions satisfy the arguments made by the social model theorist that social institutions are crucial in helping to integrate children with the Down syndrome problem within the community. Pueschel (2006) denotes that the presence of social groups within a community advances the notion of self-identity. It is these social groups that help to fight stigma and discrimination that children with the Down syndrome problem face within a community. According to the social model, it is the responsibility of the social environment in which disabled children are found, to initiate social activities that will help to integrate the disabled within the community. Through their participation, they will manage to gain acceptance, and therefore increase the level of their self-confidence (Pueschel, 2006). Davis (2006) denotes that the social model theory changes the perception of the society towards the disabled children. These changes are reflected in their culture, and perceptions of ideology. Davis further denotes that the social model theory recognizes certain rights of children with disability, and ensures that social mechanisms are enacted to safeguard their interests (2006). This will ensure their inclusion in the various affairs of the society. According to Lansdown, the social model theory minimizes the level of negative stereotyping within a community (1997). Through the various institutions formed by the model, people are educated on the misconceptions they have towards people with disability. These educative policies will influence and change the negative perception that the society has towards the disabled. The medical model theory, takes a different opinion. Marini et al (2012) denotes that this model lays an emphasis on a medical solution in solving stigma and discrimination, instead of a social solution. The theorists advocate for psychological therapy and surgery to treat the problems that children with disability encounter. It advocates for a health care policy and measures that will put in place the various values that the society has to follow in order to help the disabled children gain acceptance within the society. Marini et al (2012) observes that the medical procedures, and requirements that pregnant women must pass through screening to identify whether their children have the Down syndrome condition is a better example of a health care policy that seeks to minimize the number of disabled children within the society. This policy was created by the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist (Rennie, 2001).However, proponents of the social model theory advocate against using medical procedures, to solve social problems. For instance the European Down syndrome society advocates against using surgery for the main purposes of helping children with the Down syndrome problem to gain acceptance within the society. They argue that these children must gain acceptance in the society the way they are, and surgery is an expensive medical practice and not everybody can afford it (Lansdown, 1997). It is therefore the moral responsibility of the community to initiate measures that will effectively lead to the inclusion of the disabled into the various social activities of the society. The community must pressurize its government officials and policy makers to make legislatures and policies that will improve the quality of education that the disabled get. They should also create special recreational and sports facilities, whose main target are the disabled. This will ensure they are included in the various activities of the society, and their participation is guaranteed (Mojo et al, 2010). According to the social model, the medical model tries to construct the identity of the disabled, in a manner that they will gain acceptance within the society. They achieve their objective through surgery. This leads to the notion of social construction, which refers to the results that emanate from the choices that humans make. The main focus of social construction is on the manner in which groups or people participate in constructing their perception in the society. It looks at the manner in which social phenomena’s are institutionalized and created and thereafter makes an analysis (Galvin, 2008). For instance, the main purpose of surgery is to rectify the facial conditions of children with Down syndrome so that they may be accepted within a community. According to social constructionist’s, surgery is institutionalized for the purposes of helping the disabled to fully integrate within the community (Green, 2009). Their full integration within the society depends on how the community fights against the stigma directed towards these individuals. Davis (2006) defines stigma as a condition that leads to the approval or disapproval of a person within the community. Tremain (2006) defines it as a behavior and reaction of individuals in respect to the characteristic portrayed by another person that is different from theirs. There are many causes of stigma, and Tremain (2006) identifies the following three causes. 1. The behavior of an individual that comes as a result of alcohol and drug addiction. 2. Ethnic stereotyping and religious intolerance. 3. Medical conditions that cause deformations and disabilities, such as the Down syndrome condition. Children with the Down syndrome problem are unable to interact effectively within the society because of stigma. Tremain (2006) denotes that facial disfigurements is the main consequences of the Down syndrome problem, children who have this condition are unable to interact freely with their peers because they are treated as outsiders. Despite facing stigma, and discrimination, there are a variety of people with the Down syndrome phenomenon who have made it in the society. Most of these personalities are working in the media, and to be specific, in the movie industry. One of them is Andrea Friedman. Andrea Friedman has starred in movies such as Life Goes On, and popular television series, called Family Guy. Paula Sage is also an actress with the Down syndrome problem. She is famous for her role in the motion picture, called After Life. Due to her superb role in the movie, she managed to win the BAFTA awards, in the category of the best female actress of the season. This was in the year 2003 (Kulesz, 2011). In the Bratislava film festival, Paula Sage won an award as the best female actress of the year. She won this award in the year 2004. Another famous individual, who defied who all odds to make it in the media industry is Stephen Ginnz. In 1996, he became the first person with the Down syndrome problem to produce a motion picture (Kulesz, 2011). Due to his superb skills, Stephen Ginnz won a Warner Bros award in 2006, on the category of the best film picture. He also won the Martin Scorsese award, as best film producer in 2006. Tommy Jessop is another famous actor with the Down syndrome problem. He is famous for his roles in the BBC drama termed as Coming Down the Mountain. As a result of his role in the production, Tommy won the human rights award in 2008, under the category of the Radar people of the year. Tommy appeared in other television series, such as Monroe, Doctors, Casualty and Holby city. In 2010, Tommy got another role in the BBC television series termed as the Stone (Kulesz, 2011). Pablo Pineda is another actor who has defied all odds to make it in the media industry. Pablo Pineda is of Spanish origin, and starred in the movie Yo Tambien (Kulessz, 2011). Pineda acts as a university graduate with the Down syndrome problem. In 2009, Pineda won the Shell award for his role in the film. On this note, despite their various problems, these actors were talented, and used their talents for their benefits. In conclusion, the society discriminates against children with the Down syndrome condition. The age mates of these children denote them as aliens, and this leads to their low self-esteem. It also limits the level of their participation within the community, leading to an element of exclusion. In the current century, social movements and organizations have emerged to fight against stigma, and discriminative problems that the disabled face in the community. A notable organization is the European Down syndrome association, formed to sensitize people on the various problems that the disable face, and the misconceptions that people have towards the disabled. Reflection: People with disability can make it in their social lives, despite their problems. These people are endowed with skills, that if they make effective use of them, they can earn a living and make lots of money. To help them utilize their skills, it is important for the government and the community to change their perceptions about these individuals, and initiate policies that will discourage discrimination, by criminalizing the behavior. This will increase their inclusion in the society by increasing the level of social activities they engage in. Bibliography: Bluhm, C., & Clendenin, N. (2009).Someone else's face in the mirror: identity and the new science of face transplants. Westport, Conn.: Praeger. Davis, L. J. (2006). The disability studies reader (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge. DePoy, E., & Gilson, S. F. (2011).Studying disability: multiple theories and responses. Los Angeles: SAGE. Frances, J. (2004). Educating children with facial disfigurement creating inclusive school communities. London: Routledge Falmer. Galvin, R (2008). Liberating The Disabled Identity: A Coalition of Subjugated Knowledges. New York: Simon and Schuster. Giddens, A. 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