From: Carrie Jones <cciciotte>
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:48:46 -0400

Ginny makes some brilliant and important observations. I thought I posted the following message yesterday, but I think I only sent it to James.

James' mention of the book where everyone can be "healthy and whole" really struck a nerve with me, as did another post where the book's protagonists would be fine if the characters simply took their medication

While most of my own research has been on epilepsy motifs in children's fiction, there have been brilliant papers discussing the unwilling perpetuation of disability myths and stereotypes in literature and the other media.

 In her paper, "Portrayal of People with Disabilities in Children's Literature: 1940s to 1980s" Maeleah Carlisle wrote, "Children's literature often reflects the current society's values and attitudes."

Many brillaint and well-meaning children's authors have been unintentionally perpetuating those stigmas because they are so ingrained in our society. This is troubling because "Children's literature can inform and influence children's images of people with disabilities." (Carlisle 5)

Both Colin Barnes and researchers Biklen and Bogdan illustrated multiple ways in which literature and the media stereotypes people with disabilities. Those stereotypes also exist in children's literature.

    Those stereotypes include:



  1.. Disabled person is pitiable.
  2.. Disabled person is the helpless victim of violence.
  3.. Disabled person is evil.
  4.. Disabled person is saintly, godly, a superhero. Some sort of extraordinary trait occurs to make the reader love the epileptic champion/hero.
  5.. Disabled person is worthy of ridicule.
  6.. Disabled person is "own worst enemy." They could get better if they would just take their medicine, not drink, etc.
  7.. Disabled person is a burden. They are a drain on their parents' emotions, money, time.
  8.. Disabled person can't live a regular life with normal activities.
(Biklen and Bogdan 6-9; Barnes 2-7)


While heartened by the great books that are emerging (particularly dealing with autism, blindness, etc), I still worry that many writers (myself included) might unintentionally perpetuate those stereotypes outlined above.

That's exactly why this topic is so important. Thank you again for beginning it and for the brilliant comments and resources. I am so glad that a conversation like this is going on.



Best,

Carrie Jones

Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend (Flux, May 2007)
Received on Wed 11 Oct 2006 06:48:46 PM CDT