explain why mental handicap is discriminatory languge?

Answer 1

Because the word 'handicapped' projects a negative image. Using the expression 'differently- abled' is much better.

Answer 2

I don't know. When I was in USA on holiday several people on the Greyhound buses stated they had to get on first because they were handicapped. Public notices on transport also used the word handicapped. Obviously some people had no problem with the word handicapped.
I suppose language changes in the hope that our image of people will change. When I was little "mentally handicapped" meant someone different to us who went to a special school. As an adult, to me "learning disabilities" covers a wide range of various conditions. I think the term "learning disabilities" normalises some conditions and reminds us that problems are on a continuum of extremes of what we regard as "normal". For instance I am a member of Mensa but cannot grasp the rudiments of operating a car and am a nightmare for teachers of any practical task. I have had no formal diagnosis but regard myself as dyspraxic/dyslexic/whatever - even trying to write an essay causes mega-problems. I'm sure testing would put me in the category of having "learning disabilities", yet my Mensa membership classifies me in some circles as "gifted". See what I mean? I know people who are considered mentally handicapped/learning disabilities who have an IQ that still enables them to drive a car. You would be far safer with them at the wheel than me! So what does all this terminology mean? Surely how we treat each other is more important than the way we label our abilities/disabilities.

Answer 3

Read Foucault. He argued that 'madness' constantly changes through the ages to meet whatever the ruling elite decide they want it to mean.... Quite interesting- more power vs powerless than specifically discriminatory but if you think about it, the language is created and defined by an elite (doctors) and those who are not privy to the 'nclusive' language are at risk of being discrimated by it.

Just an alternative idea to consider!

Answer 4

Based on my undrstanding of the topic, we orginally called those with unsual behavior problems with less than normal intelligence, "Retarded" . This was perfectly acceptable when the term was introduced, but because of the negative use of the word, we then had to move to "mentally challenged" or what nonsense. If now we are expected to use the phrase "differently abled", that too will eventually become a common insult.

So I ask you, where does the process end? Are we continually expected to adjust our lives around the emotions of others as soon as they don't appreciate the adjective to apply to them? Suppose I don't prefer the terms "bald" or "follically challenged", should I petition the government to make my medical condition a protected class?

C'mon people! I am bald. Mentally challenged people are retarded, I have a friend that is very fat and I am sick of this ever worsening Political Correctness c0cka-doodle-doo.

Answer 5

I choose not to use handicapped, what does it actually mean? - cap in hand is my interpretation. Another term I don't use is disabled. If you remove a component from a vehicle it is defined as disabled i.e. of no use and so I choose not to offend.

Answer 6

Becuase everything we say nowadays is either racist (blah blah rainbow sheep??? taking it a bit too far), discriminatory (did you know that it is now unacceptable to say 'brain storming' as it is offensive to people who don't have brains?) or terrorist. We live in a god damn silly world. it's ridiculous. whatever happened to freedom of speech?
(don't get me wrong, i do think somethings shouldn't be allowed, but i cant see how ordering a black coffee instrad of a 'coffee without milk' is going to offend anyone)

Answer 7

More PC nonsense. Learning difficulties is commonly used or the name of the specific condition. Generally disability is more acceptable than handicap but the reality is that the people directly concerned are usually more inhibited by their condition than how it is referred to.

Answer 8

Because you need to separate the condition from the person.
For example, person with mental disability. It is always the person first and the disability is secondary.

Answer 9

i love answers, and I have interest because I know how to explain because with out exception I get it here. Again I got how do I explain Love to some one and I wanted the answer. I can say the answer is here after your question someone else gave me answer. Now i say oops and I i knew the answer.

Answer 10

Thanks to the p.c. brigade, the term 'people with learning difficulties' has replaced the phrase. I worked with the 'mentally handicapped' for almost 11 years, & it's still my description of choice..