Pathologizing the self

[flamingsword]

I've been thinking lately of pathology- how we define illness, how we regard the illness as a character defect and so regard the ill as though they are less worthy. Our attitudes to disability and anything to which the words "not trying hard enough" are applied carry over from that definition of pathology and are very suspect.

No, this doesn't have anything to do with the relationships thing (I think?), but it's been on my mind lately and it comes from analyzing relationships. Ever since I realized that Ghost's childlike openness has to have a really early cause, I realized what it is about how he reacts to his parents that is so radically different from everyone else I know: they don't think anything is wrong with each other. They don't treat each other like approval is something that is won or withheld until something is changed for not being good enough, they just deal honestly with talents and handicaps and there is no blame or the internalizing of blame which becomes shame.


I've never seen anything like it before, and that is unutterably sad.

Comments

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

I know. *sigh* But at least a few people are getting it right?

[flamingsword.livejournal.com]

I wonder if I can convince his parents to do a book?

[psylent1.livejournal.com]

They always believe each other is doing their best, so there is no need to think something is wrong with someone. Rare indeed.

Why do we think the worst of people? Why do we diminish each other?