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Abuzar Samiei

In disability studies, the concept or issue of disability is considered a social construct. In order to better understand this issue, we will first define social construct and then delve into the topic of disability.

Social constructionism, or social constructivism, is a sociological theory about knowledge that suggests human growth occurs socially and knowledge is constructed through interactions with others. Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann are credited with coining the term “social construction” or “social constructionism.” In their book “The Social Construction of Reality,” they attempt to show how a mental meaning becomes a social reality and is determined. Constructionists believe that reality is a product of human interpretation. Social constructionism explains how socially constructed realities are presented as something fixed and unchangeable, imposed on us and perceived as natural. The perspective of social constructionism is more concerned with how we understand the world, rather than how the material world exists independently of our understanding. This perspective is less concerned with the material world itself. Therefore, it can be said that social constructionism deals with social issues as perceptions and mental meanings.

Let’s allow ourselves to understand the meaning of construction with an example. The definition that most of us have formed in our minds about the characteristics of a girl or woman can be considered a suitable example. It is generally believed that a woman should be kinder, have a more delicate and sensitive nature, be more jealous, be responsible for household chores, take care of raising children, and so on. It is assumed that girls should be less active compared to boys, have a greater interest in playing with dolls, and possibly be more responsible. Sometimes these characteristics are so deeply ingrained in women and girls that they seem to be a natural and inherent part of them. It is always emphasized that these characteristics are due to the physical and genetic differences between men and women. It is not intended to deny any biological issues here, but the reality is that these characteristics have been imposed on women and girls by society to such an extent that they are considered a natural and inherent part of their lives. Of course

If we want to give a more abstract example, we can examine the concept of pain. The feeling of pain is a socially constructed phenomenon. It is encountered in different ways in every society and culture. Pain, rather than being purely biological and physical, is influenced by social norms and cultural interpretations. In cultures where pain is seen as a means of atonement for sins, it is much easier for individuals to tolerate it compared to a culture that sees pain as a sign of the end of life. In fact, the tolerance of pain is based on an attitude that the individual has internalized and created expectations of it in the process of social acceptance. A soldier who is wounded in war will have a completely different experience of pain than a criminal who is injured while escaping from prison. This is because the cultural and social interpretation sees one as a noble act and the other as a condemned act.

This issue about disability is also true. Disability is mainly defined by intertwined concepts that may not necessarily have a relative connection to its inherent truth. These characteristics can be both positive and negative. Unhappiness, inability, dependence, severe limitations, innocence, etc. are characteristics that have become intertwined with the concept of disability. However, just as the characteristics of women or the feeling of pain are not inherent to them, these characteristics of people with disabilities are not inherent to them either. These are concepts that have been imposed on individuals with disabilities by society over time.

The concept of disability is influenced by those who define it and describe its nature. These cultural rules determine who is considered disabled and what behavior is expected of them. Cultural and social assumptions have a profound impact on understanding, experiencing, and narrating disability. In this regard, religious teachings, which are an important part of culture, should not be ignored. Society, relying on its own history and interacting with disabled and non-disabled individuals, defines and interprets the concept of disability with its characteristics and creates a prepared food for shaping mental meanings. From the perspective of society, a disabled person is someone with physical impairments who has severe limitations and is dependent on others for some or many tasks; they have an unpleasant life, and so on. This image is much more prominent among those who have not had close encounters with disabled individuals, while those who interact with disabled people have a more moderated view on this matter.

It can be said that disability has at least two dimensions in social construction: one is the imposition of disability and its characteristics on individuals with physical impairments; the other is understanding the concept of disability as an individual. In the following, I will explain these two dimensions.

Understanding disability

As mentioned, the concept of disability and its characteristics is something that has been shaped by society over time and through interactions with individuals. It is likely that in the distant past, when everything was based on physical abilities, a different perception of disability was created. For example, during the agricultural or hunting period, individuals with physical impairments were not able to fully carry out their personal and social tasks and were dependent on others for their daily activities, facing many limitations. However, this is not the whole story. Superstitious beliefs about disability should also be taken into account. Ideas such as the possession of a disabled person’s body by a devil or seeing physical impairments as a punishment for sins. This means that even if a disabled person could break free from the physical limitations, they would still be trapped by cultural beliefs.

This concept of disability has been strengthened over time and through social interactions, and has become a cultural issue. In this perspective, a disabled person is seen as weak and pitiful, with a dramatic and dark life. Disability is not just a physical impairment, but a collection of physical and especially cultural pains, which are often mistakenly seen as purely biological and biological. These exaggerated and often unrealistic perceptions of disability have created a literature of disability avoidance, and everyone is afraid of being labeled as disabled.

The most bitter part of this story is where individuals with disabilities are defeated in their social interactions and accept the cultural interpretation of disability, acknowledging themselves as physically impaired, disabled, limited, and deprived. This acceptance and internalization marks the beginning of the disabilities of individuals with disabilities. When a disabled person believes that they are inherently disabled, the idea of liberation from cultural and social limitations becomes very difficult for them. Essentially, they see this as a natural and inherent aspect of their disability, rather than a socially constructed one.

One of the hidden characteristics or mental perceptions of non-disabled individuals about disability is considering it as dramatic and painful. A significant percentage of able-bodied individuals – especially those who have not had direct interaction with people with disabilities – imagine that those with physical impairments have a very difficult life and every moment of their lives is filled with pain and suffering. They may expect that people with disabilities spend all day thinking only about their physical limitations and have no other mental preoccupations. This attitude of viewing individuals with disabilities as innocent and blameless has its roots in this very issue. From their perspective, those whose thoughts and minds are consumed with grief and worry, and possibly praying for relief from their afflictions, do not have the opportunity to sin. Especially since they also have physical limitations and may not have the physical ability to commit such sins.

However, examining the lives of most people with disabilities shows that physical impairment does not play a significant role in limiting them. These individuals learn how to overcome their physical limitations and with the help of tools, they can either fully or partially surpass them. Usually, people with disabilities accept their physical impairment as a reality and find ways to adapt to it. They do not dwell on their disability and are not bothered by the idea of living a dramatic life. Therefore, they can be just as happy or sad as others, just as law-abiding or rebellious, and so on.

The only thing that disrupts this equation is the cultural interpretation of disability. This saying is well known among people with disabilities that the biggest barrier to their presence in society is not physical obstacles, but cultural ones. People with disabilities are affected by the social construction of disability and are resistant to presenting themselves as different beings. Cultural beliefs, perspectives, words, and attitudes are so strong and entrenched that some have no means of resistance against them. This social construction can be seen everywhere, in literature (“a sound mind in a sound body”), in architecture (unadapted buildings and urban environments), in art (disability-avoiding films), in social interactions, and so on. In short, it is a combination of these cultural and social factors that hinder the presence of people with disabilities in society, and this is the starting point for their dependency, inability, illiteracy, unemployment, and ultimately, overall deprivation.

Counting individuals with disabilities.

The second aspect or direct result of social construction of disability is understanding it as an individual. According to the World Health Organization, individuals with disabilities are those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This is a social definition of disability. It means that simply having a physical impairment is not enough; rather, this impairment must limit the individual’s interaction with environmental and social barriers.

As an example, if a person who uses a wheelchair is unable to move easily in their environment and their mobility is disrupted, it is not because they have a physical disability, but rather because those who have physical health have designed the environment solely for their own use and have not paid attention to the physical differences of individuals. In the social view of disability, the social environment is the biggest factor in limiting individuals with disabilities. Education that does not include the presence of disabled individuals in mainstream schools, media that does not provide education on interacting with people with disabilities, an economy that does not have a place for individuals with physical differences, and finally a society that does not welcome the presence of a disabled individual with their looks and questions, are all social-cultural factors that limit individuals with disabilities.

This is while the general cultural interpretation of disability pays no attention to the social environment. Physical impairment and disability of an individual only affects them and ultimately their family. It is often assumed that in order for a disabled person to be accepted in society, they must personally strive to overcome obstacles. They must ignore negative attitudes of others, be brave and determined, make great efforts and practice constantly, and tirelessly fight against all obstacles. In this perspective, a disabled person who has overcome limitations is considered a hero and will serve as a role model for others. In this view, society and all individuals who have played a role in a person’s disability are not seen at all. Encouraging a disabled person to overcome challenges is certainly a positive thing, but imposing social responsibility on individuals with disabilities will only increase mental and emotional pressures.

At the end, it must be added, based on the theory of social constructionism, that knowledge is neither universal nor objective; rather, it is constantly changing in response to social relationships. This means that the depiction presented in this text of the social construction of disability is not absolute and is always changing. The active agency of disabled individuals in the social sphere has, in many cases, changed or at least shaken many perspectives. Other individuals with disabilities are not easily defeated by the cultural interpretation of disability, and their social demands have evolved from the level of charity to the level of equal human rights. In general, it is not possible to have a specific and absolute framework for all individuals with disabilities in all societies. The social position of disabled individuals in a particular culture and society may be different from another society. The purpose of this text was to clarify the dimensions of the social construction of disability and to pay more attention to its social aspect. It is a forgotten duty that, if revived, will bring

In hopes of achieving a world that is equal and accessible for all.