What is meant by "mental retardation is a socially constructed condition"?

Question

What is meant by "mental retardation is a socially constructed condition"?

Answer 1

that political correctness has gone too far.

Answer 2

it means that mental retardation wouldn't exist if society hadn't labeled it as such.

Answer 3

"mental retardation is a socially constructed condition" means that society is the one that has labelled (constructed) the condition. Thus you get the socially contructed condition. Along with the label, we add in the conditions for such label for example, the person must have an IQ of such and such.

Well we know IQ's aren't the greatest measuring devices and are quite flawed.

As a society we like to put names on things, label them to help identify and pigeon-hole what we are looking at or dealing with.

A person who is "cognitively challenged" (this is the term in use now and not "mentally challenged") does not see themselves as "cognitively challenged". They see themselves as you and I see ourselves. It is society that constructs this name and label for us to identify who they are in society.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Mental retardation can have many causes but in one of them the individual is affected by It's enviroment and social conditions wich may lead to a poor education and little or no experiences in daily life and logic. The brain needs stimulation since birth, without It the IQ will be affected.

Answer 5

Mild mental retardation is a relatively newer term.  Obviously, those who have severe and profound mental retardation were never really expected "to do much."   Those with moderate mental retardation will usually get the idea with help.

Those with mental retardation before we became a written society just blended in.  They weren't the ones to stand out for their intellect, but they could certainly get by.  Few were literate.  Financial transactions were a thousand times more simple and less frequent.  No driving.  People often lived with extended family their entire lives.   You get the idea.  Then with mandated education with mandated curriculum beginning mostly after WW2 raised the educational expectations considerably.  Giving a new rise to children who couldn't compete, hence mild mental retardation was formed.

Some would argue that with the recent increase of testing requirements those who will be served in the future will have an IQ in the 70-85 range or low average intelligence.  Students in this range are the ones being left behind in droves.  New, higher standards, mean many more will not be able to achieve the new norm.

Answer 6

Mental retardation is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills ("milestones") during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. One common criterion for diagnosis of mental retardation is a tested intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or below and deficits in adaptive functioning.

People with mental retardation may be described as having developmental disabilities, global developmental delay, or learning difficulties.

Answer 7

you can call it mental retardation if you want to.

I am not embarrassed.

I have mild mental retardation and I am 23 years old.

It is still called mental retardation and my social skills are low but it helps to have social outlets, trust me.

Going to the library.

Going to church.

Going to social activities etc..

Play a sport.

I am in behavior therapy which helps alot for me and alot of the time mental retardation co-exists with other conditions like adhd,odd,ocd,depression,and etc...

At age 12, i had the behavior of a 4 to 5 year old.

I socialize with others that are much younger then me the best.

Answer 8

Mentally Challanged please.

It is called Mentally Challanged now not Mental Retardation.