Question

Compare the different reaction a family receives from neighbors, friends and relatives when their child is diagnoses with leukemia vs an addiction to heroin? Both are essentially life threatening medical conditions. Yet the community reaction is vastly different.

Answer 1

The community reaction towards the child who is diagnosed with an addiction would be :

• They would have an indifferent attitude towards the child and the family as they would consider it as a misdemeanor on the part of the child.
• The family could face a shunning or stigmatization from the community instead of supporting them.
• The community would feel that this threatening condition has been self inflicted by the child intentionally.

Generally, the community reaction is of apathy towards the suffering family and child. They would hold the family and child responsible for this serious condition, and would feel that they should suffer for their misdemeanor.

Whereas, the community reaction towards a family whose child is diagnosed would be different. They would be compassionate, more supportive both emotionally and socially. Even would raise fund for this cause.

Thus, in both life threatening conditions the reactions are opposite to each other.