Deaf Values and Social Norms (revised)

Topic #1: Values

Values and Norms of the Deaf Community


Values of the Deaf Community:


Values are a part of cultural differences. Differences between values of Deaf and hearing people are often extreme.



Definition of Values:

Values can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of action or outcomes. As such, values reflect a person’s sense of right and wrong or what “ought” to be. “Equal rights for all” and “People should be treated with respect and dignity” are representative of values. Values tend to influence attitudes and behavior.

Values Characteristic of the Deaf Community:

Deaf people have many values that are different from hearing people. However, some of them are in harmony with the values of hearing people.

Examples of Values within the Deaf Community:

ASL:

American Sign Language is the most highly regarded asset of Deaf Culture. Spoken English is almost completely useless to the Deaf. Even if they can learn to read lips, the comprehension of English doesn't even come close to the language of ASL. If the ears don't work, why would you force them to?

ASL is the natural language for the Deaf. To equate the fluency of English to hearing people, ASL is the match for Deaf people. They are not meant to use a language that is not their own, nonetheless be forced to.

The Deaf also aim to preserve ASL. There are many language systems that have been invented to try to "help" deaf children learn English (Sign Supported Speech, Signed English, and Cued Speech, to name a few). These are not languages and are not supported in Deaf culture. They have, if anything, deprived deaf children of their true language and ability to communicate effectively.

ASL is so important for Deaf people to communicate, they created vlogs (video logs). They are similar to blogs, but consist of videos. That way, the Deaf can communicate with each other in their first language.




Deaf schools over mainstreaming schools:

The entire way of life is learned for Deaf people at stateschools. Their language, their culture, and their identity. Often Deaf children are born into hearing families that not only know nothing about Deaf culture but do not use ASL when communicating with their children. As a result children in these families are often isolated. Their stateschool peers, teachers, dorm parents become their family.

Cochlear implants (pros vs. cons):

Regardless of the controversy of cochlear implants they have become deeply embedded into the cultural values of Deaf people. These devices have increased awareness and education that the Deaf community believe there is nothing wrong with them and they do not need to be fixed.

ASL over Signed English oralism:

ASl is the natural language of the Deaf. Oralism is often tiresome, frustrating, and a source of humilation to Deaf people. They preach their right to sign and acceptance of it.

Bilingual education over English only education:

ASL and English need to be taught. Deaf children with language exposure from birth (ASL) arrive to school with a language background. Deaf children that have not often do not have any language prior to school age. The results are devastating.

Deaf clubs over mainstreaming social outlets

Deaf people have the freedom and rights to socialize freely in their language with no communication barriers.

Deaf Schools over Mainstreaming Schools:

Deaf Schools provide Deaf children with their rights to be who they are and communicate freely with their peers, teachers, principal, and others without the presence of interpreters.


Topic 2:Norms

Norms of the Deaf Community:


Norms are a part of cultural differences. Norms are what make our cultures unique and often times can lead to misunderstandings and lack of acceptance from people that are not a part of those norms. There are several differences between behavioral norms of Deaf and hearing people.

Definition of Norms:


Social norms are the behaviors and cues within a society or group. This sociological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit. Failure to follow the rules can result in severe punishments, including exclusion from the group."[1] They have also been described as the "customary rules of behavior that coordinate our interactions with others."

The social norms indicate the established and approved ways of doing things, of dress, of speech and of appearance. These vary and evolve not only through time but also vary from one age group to another and between social classes and social groups. What is deemed to be acceptable dress, speech or behavior in one social group may not be accepted in another


Norms differ for values in the following KEY terms:

– ideals

– rules

– ought

– should

What do NORMS imply?

There is a widespread agreement that people OUGHT to adhere to certain standards of behavior.

Other people judge the behavior of an individual according to how closely it adheres to those standards.

Individuals who repeatedly fail to follow the standards face some kind of negative reaction from other members of the group.

Examples of Deaf Norms:

Behavior norms:

Related to the behaviors of Deaf people. Sometimes they are aware or unaware that they “adhere to certain standards of behavior.”

Examples

Teasing with physical contact

– Back slapping

– Touching more casually

Code Switching from ASL to Signed English with hearing people. Accommodating to hearing world has become a habit. Some Deaf people as do this to keep power within the Deaf Community by using ASL for themselves and not allow others the opportunity to mess with it.

- Deaf norms with Grammar

– Use of tongue with speech

“I have not done it yet.”(tongue placed out of mouth)

– Facial expressions

Frowning with “wh” questions

– Pointing for spatial use and pronouns

– Eye contact (demanded and required)

– Straight forward talking

“You have gotten fat, what happened?” (often time this directness is used to actually inquire if someone is okay.


Group Norms:

– Deaf people, as a group, believe that members of the Deaf community should adhere to certain standards of behavior.

Examples of Group Norms

Deaf/Deaf Marriages

– Deaf community frowns on Deaf/hearing marriages

Feel betrayed but possible to accept if hearing person earns way into Deaf community

REASON: Feel it is a weakening of the Deaf Community.


Loyalty to the Deaf Community

– Deaf people will cover and help other Deaf people.

Ex. Deaf worker helping another Deaf worker keep a job. If one Deaf worker makes mistake, the other Deaf worker with try to talk the hearing boss into giving another chance. If that chance is blown. The Deaf worker will not help out again.

Privacy issues are complex

– Don’t like Deaf people “whispering”. Signing under the table or writing notes. If you have private things to discuss, go outside or in a private room to discuss them.

- Details in explanations

– Start with a rhetorical question or the point and then give details and close with point and answer a rhetorical question.

Rules of Social Interaction:

How Deaf people go through the rituals of “getting together” in group settings.

Examples of Social Interaction Norms

Deaf Clubs

– Deaf people go through greeting rituals of hugging and asking questions such as “how are you?” or “what’s up with you?” or “long time no see.” They figure out when the last time they saw each other and “catch up.”

Introductions between hearing people and Deaf people

Converstaion openers

– Hi, I want to introduce myself. My name is “BOB”, I’m hearing.

Important to Deaf community to know if you are hearing or Deaf.

Usually Deaf people can pick up “a hearing accent” They can see if you are Deaf or hearing based on how you sign.

Attention Getting:

– Shoulder taps

– Waves

– Stomping ground

– Flashing the lights in the room

– Banging a table



The Deaf Goodbye:

– Prolonged goodbyes at the end of a social event

Reason – Deaf people don’t get to see each other often and they want the fullest opportunity to catch up on news and share information.