Question

How do ideas about "normal" and "abnormal" human behavior influence the experience of the individual? Taking this a step further, how does the concept of normal vs abnormal become a form of oppression?

Answer 1

How do ideas about "normal" and "abnormal" human behavior influence the experience of the individual? Taking this a step further, how does the concept of normal vs abnormal become a form of oppression?

The ideas of normal vs abnormal human behaviour arise from the society and the norms that have been established in the society. According to the society, a person who carries out behaviours similar to that of which is prevalent in the society, behaviours of that person are normal. Moreover, a person who tries to be deviant or behave in ways that are not completely complaint with the norms of the society, the person is called to be behaving abnormally. Hence, normal and abnormal behaviours are only with respect to what is prevalent in the society.

Moreover, a person who does not abide by the pre established terms of the society, it is known that that person is wrong and in him being alleged as wrong, people subject them to unjust treatment. A classic example of the just and unjust behaviours associated with the normal and abnormal terms is se-xual orientation of a person. Just because people oriented towards opposite genders are considered as the majority and the prevalent ones in the society, it has been termed that people who deviate from these behaviours, same se-x preference, homo se-xuals or bise-xual behaviour are considered as wrong and abnormal and treated with self made rules, that have even defied the definitions of humanity. They are not even given the respect that they deserve or even the right to build a family amongst themselves. With time, though the acceptance of such orientation has increased, but people are still stigmatised on both public and smaller platforms and are subjected to humour. Today, people can acknowledge them as being LGBT, but a few years ago, even the acceptance would have been subject to humour, since this was considered as abnormal, and being involved with opposite se-x was only considered as normal.