Shoudl we treat some aspects of appearence as disabilities, thus forbidding discrimination on these characteri

Question

Ralph Nader long ago suggested that the people most discriminated against in society are those who are the least attractive. Scientific studies have suggested that we all haev an innate bias towards more attractive individuals. "Those individuals who depart so significantly from the most commonly held notions of beauty that they incur employment discrimination are poorly treated in such diverse contexts as employment, criminal sentencing, and apartment renting. "

SHOULD WE TREAT ASPECTS OF APPEARENCE AS DISABILITIES THUS FORBIDDING DiSCRIMINATION. IF SO, WHAT CHARACTERISTICS AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THEM?

Answer 1

I do feel sorry for those who are extremely unattractive, but I have to mention darwin's law. Survival of the fittest. There are worse things than being ugly. There are starving people in the world you know. Nothings ever going to change the fact that some people are smarter, more talented, more charming, or more attractive.

Answer 2

I don't think we should. First, Im not against all concepts of defining a disability and having equal opportunity. However, some of these laws have had to be enacted to help society change its views over time. When they made places have people with disabilities or different skin color, etc., they put them in a position to eventually better educate people that they were just as capable. However, unattractive people is a changing notion. Sure, some people are just ugly (harsh, but true), but a lot of what society views as more or less attractive changes over time. To legalize a definition of unattractive only works AGAINST people who are by saying we can ever define it permanently.

Secondly, calling being unattratcive a disability is also working against what you are trying to disspell because its NOT a disability. Someone in a wheelchair may be great mentally, but allowances do have to be made-they are lacking certain point-blank, evident abilities. Being fat or ugly does not. Im heavy and I know that sometimes it works against me in how people perceive me. But for someone to call me "disabled," even if its under some guise to assist me, implies that 1. I am disabled (which I'm not) and 2. that I need their assistance.

I support making employers, etc. accountable about who they choose and for what. But if someone chooses to discriminate against me because Im fat, as much as that sucks and can work against me, I promise you, it works more against them, cause Im a hard worker and damn smart. I think most people who fit what you are talking about would likely agree...if you want to address this notion, find another way. Im not saying the idea is totally bad, but it certainly isnt a disability.

Answer 3

like my bald head?

making laws does not help against discrimination. Half the world is biased against anyone with an American accent. (blame GW)

It would help if we never tried to judge someone we hadn't met. I have no idea whether Tony Blair is a good person, probably Ok but I have never spoken to him. HRH on the other hand is I guess very fierce but who knows.

A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.

Answer 4

Appearance must be treated as a form of disability since men should be treated as equals.