So I was thinking a bit again about something that really irked me during my student teaching--these guys who were making rude and mean comments about a girl who they deemed fat and thus ugly. It got me thinking a bit on the whole concept of physical flaws...
For me, the word flaw connotates something as imperfect and of low quality, something you would send back or sell at a lower price. Now, obviously, that is not how one deals with humanity and it is immoral to even think of someone as a lesser person because of some so-called flaw or defect.
There is an aspect of semantics--the word "abnormality" wouldn't bother me as much as "flaw" or "defect" or "blemish" does in relation to the body of a person. or even, "physical differences" Granted, there is a standard on what is deemed a "normal" body and "normal" functioning heart and other organs. Definition of normality as it relates to the brain is still a bit hazy... There is no truly normal standard for height and weight and other more relative physical characteristics. and there should not be. Course, this now makes defining a frame of reference when discussing abnormalities. It's complicated. But there is a simple thing to be understood. People are not less of a person because of physical "imperfections" or "abnormalities." and it really bugs me when I hear people even discussing someone else's physical traits in terms of goodness of appearance or quality as a person. I would assert that are appropriate comments one can make regarding physical appearance, but it should be tread carefully.
Just some general thoughts.
Posted by Anna at May 29, 2005 12:40 PM | TrackBack