Why do some people act rude or mean towards physically, emotionally, or mentally challenged people?

Question

I notice lately that there's a lot of totally ignorant people who are nasty or just plain rude to anyone with a disability. I happen to have challenges that I have to take medication for, and the meds make it hard for me to sit still sometimes...what I don't understand is when I have a hard time sitting still, the person next to me will move, like they are afraid or uncomfortable around me...and when I get on the bus, sometimes no-one will give up a seat for me even though I have two bad knees, bad enough to have to take injections every few months just so I can get around...and I notice that almost all senior citizens and disabled folks besides myself get the same mean treatment, from both kids and adults who are old enough to know better. I have been active in mental-health consumer advocacy groups, and I've even heard from others with mental health issues that they have been treated like outcasts by even their families...I think some people have stopped caring and become stuck up ..

And so wrapped up in themselves that they don't care about anyone but themselves...I wonder how they learned to be so hateful and nasty..people get away with remarks that would have gotten me slapped in the face and at least told not to do it ever again..don't parents teach their kids manners or the Golden Rule anymore? What if they became disabled...would it take something like that to happen to them to make them change their rude behavior?

Some people out there can't believe that I've worked with other disabled people, especially those who have emotional problems similar to mine...and that the mental-health housing program I'm in is run BY consumers/ex-patients/ survivors FOR those with emotional challenges..
They think it takes a Ph.D, MSW, or MD to work with 'those types' of people...the best people to run, or work in a mental-health program are those who have BEEN THERE, either themselves or have a family member who's emotionally challenged. PACT teams also use that philosophy...that's why they are successful in keeping members out of the hospital and helping us get on with our lives and become whatever we want to be..in my case getting an associate's degree in psychology...and becoming a peer support worker. I believe in giving back, what the people who help me give to me..support and unconditional acceptance.

Answer 1

i believe it's sheer ignorance, sweetie... ppl are afraid of what they do not know or understand, and it's just way too simple to make fun and degrade rather than learn... i've worked w/ many 'disabled' people, physically and mentally, and i can tell you, it's a shame how difficult it can be to take someone to the store, or anywhere, w/out being watched constantly... i've even had ppl tell me, "oh, you work there? way to go!!! i dont know how anyone could do that!" or "it takes such a nice person to care for these kind of people" (and, much worse as well) ppl are so frightened by anything considered 'out of the norm.' that they can not see past their own ignorance and get a grip!!! and, it's really such a pity...

Answer 2

First of all, there are many different reasons that people act these ways, it just depends on the individual. However, here are some common reasons:
1. People today just really don't have great manners. I'm not saying this as an old person or anything (I'm under 20 years old). It's not the 1960's anymore, and a lot of parents just don't enforce/teach good manners.
2. Many people are insecure by nature, and they enjoy (onsciencly or unconsciencly) watching someone who appears to be inferior, because it makes them feel more secure. I'm not saying that pysically, emotionallly, or mentally challenged people are inferior, it's just that these people might see it like that. However, in my opinion, EVERYONE has their own problems; handicapped people's problems are just more in the open, or obvious.
3. Sometimes, people are just so shy that they dont' know what to do when they see someone who is handicapped/challenged, so they don't do anything. A severe insecurity.

These are only my own personal opinions, but I hope they help.

Answer 3

It may be ignorance but perhaps humanity has a way of dealing with things outside the "norm" or people just do not understand things that are different from them. Even if that is the case, it doesn't give anyone the right to disrespect another person with disability.

I think people are afraid and uncomfortable around those who are challenged. Many have different ways of dealing with it - some not so pleasant.

My mother-in-law and a former friend use to work with or have relatives who are mentally and physically challenged and I remember feeling uneasy but I was polite about it nevertheless. I felt uncomfortable maybe because I didn't know quite how to approach them and relate to them.

Note: if you appear jittery (restless), others around you will feel nervous. It's like pacing back and forth, one person told me it made them nervous for me to do that (only did that once).

Answer 4

There is not enough Love,care or understanding being taught in this world at young ages. Instead many people struggle as adults to learn to love one another and respect differences. The old saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks is not totally true but it is definatly a more difficult task. Also people who have their own insecurities or poor self worth can often only see in front of them what they feel inside. and they reflect it with their ignorant behavior because they do not realize their own potential and this frustrates them.

Answer 5

Emotionally

Answer 6

i feel no one should act nasty to anyone and especially to those who have a disability. i try to help those in need and if i see someone needs help i will try to help them in any way that i can. if i am not able to assist i try to find someone else that is willing and able to help. there are alot of rude people who don't care for others and will say things to hurt others feelings. i didn't realize how nasty some people can be until i moved on my own. i have went places or either have called concerning a question. i have encountered people with attitudes who seemed as if they didn't feel like being bothered. at first, it would hurt my feelings, but i now realize that if u don't have the love of Jesus in ur heart, how could u possibly have love for any one on the face of this earth.

Answer 7

I think a lot of people just don't know how to act around physically, emotionally, or mentally challenged people. Or even the elderly. These people are different from them, and they probably find it easier to push them away, exclude them further rather than trying to figure out the best way to interact with them. It's a shame really, since it's not that difficult to be nice to people.

Answer 8

Some people are just outright ignorant. People tend to be scared of things they're not familiar with and react in stupid ways. If they understood the situation then maybe they wouldn't be so mean.

Answer 9

Because, they are ignorant and unfortunately our society is becoming increasingly selfish. I am very sorry that this happens. Keep your chin up and don't get bitter. Most people are probably not even aware of how rude they are being.

Answer 10

I think some people have very poor self-images, for some reason. This appears to lead to attacks upon people perceived as even weaker and more loathsome than these people are.