Chapter 4- "Deafhood: A Personal Journey Toward Self-Actualization"

Culturally Marginal Individuals

-do not feel at ease in Deaf community, but do not feel part of hearing society either -feel marginalized because people avoid this person due to difficulties with communication

Composite identity

-having multiple, yet shared identities

Introspection (succeeding)

A method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings

Opinions of CIs

- improved hearing is possible, but will cause Deaf community to become less significant to children who receive the surgery, who in turn will not communicate with the Deaf - Deaf children will never be fully restored, and Deaf people will continue to struggle with communication barriers. the will be left our by their family and friends, and not have a healthy Deaf identity. - Deaf people believe CI surgery implies brokenness, and they do not want/need to be fixed. - sign language is discouraged amongst CI wearers - adult implantees suggest there is something wrong with the Deaf community

culturally isolated individuals

-chooses to be affiliated with Deaf community ---> deaf perspective dictates that to reject sign language and Deaf culture means a life of isolation and loneliness -assigned to oral Deaf individuals who choose not to associate with Deaf community or learn the language of Deaf people and remain "isolated" in the mainstream

Deaf dominant bicultural individuals

-function well around Deaf and hearing, but, if given a choice, they would choose to be with Deaf people, more specifically, people who can sign; invest time and energy in making contacts with hearing people as effective possible (ex: may teach neighbor or coworker to sign); assert selves in hearing situations by using interpreters, writing notes, etc.

hearing dominant bicultural deaf individuals

-individuals who can function well within Deaf community, but who have relatively limited contacts with other Deaf people; peoples' lives revolve around hearing people; do not shun Deaf community, just limited exposure

Culturally Separate Deaf Individuals

-individuals who intentionally keep contacts with hearing people to a minimum; Deaf with this identity decide they will live more effectively avoiding awkward interactions with hearing people (communication barriers, patronizing attitudes, insensitivity, and oppression)

Conformity

Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Deaf conformity

Deaf individuals shun Deaf culture because of negativity received from hearing peers

How many stages of cultural awareness are there?

There are five stages of cultural awareness

awareness stage

individuals come to terms with themselves

Balanced Bicultural Deaf People

individuals who are comfortable in both the hearing and Deaf communities. Requires that one both speaks and signs well.

dissonance stage

no matter how much one attempts to deny his or her own racial/cultural heritage, an individual will encounter information or experiences that are inconsistent with culturally held beliefs, attitudes, and values

Resistance and Immersion

the stage in which the person becomes more immersed within his or her own cultural group, rejecting the dominant culture with extreme feelings of anger, guilt, and shame for his or her initial preference of the dominant culture and rejection of his or her own