Mariah Bouchard
Reading Analysis Week 8
October 31, 2017
How have “experts” defined the healthy/normal child and what remains of such definitions for school policies?
Article 1: Through no fault of their own’: Josephine Dauphinee and the ‘Subnormal’ Pupils of the Vancouver School System.
In the past children with mental disabilities were isolated from the other students. However, to control those with mental disabilities even more so children with “lesser” minds were being sterilized to further control and assimilate children with mental disabilities. In the past children with mental disabilities were judged harsher and not given any chance to live up to their full potential. They would simply judge a child based on their looks, even if they looked different they would not give them a chance to test their mental abilities. The education system and society has changed greatly today. We try not to separate a child with mental disability from children who are considered “normal”. We also see more support and opportunities being given to people with a mental disability. However, I think there can still be room for improvement. I also think that in some cases sterilization is the right choice for some people. However, I do know that each case is unique, and it should not be a blanketed rule like it was in the past. I have personal experience with a person with a severe mental disability and I am thankful she lives in 2017 and not 1917.
Article 2: THE RISING GENERATION”: LAYING CLAIM TO THE HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS IN ENGLISH CANADA, 1920-70.
A healthy normal child was something that was not a major concern of the past, and when they did start to research and conduct understandings of what child is normally like this completely took off in the last couple years. They did have n understanding and a basic form that they expected a child to fit into. A child was expected to understand the basic components of school as well as have good outdoor play and the ability to work. Where we are now with society what is expected of a normal healthy child can be broken down to each month of a child’s life practically. Now people are expected to go to school for years in order to care and educate babies, toddlers, and school age children. In each stage of a child’s life we are given cues to look for to tell if your child is developing at the expected pace. We also take the health of children more seriously. Not just physical health but mental health as well.
Article 3: “Race, Class, Health: School Medical Inspection and ‘Healthy’ Children in British Columbia, 1890-1930
In our society now, the knowledge on children health has been taken to a new level. We are much more aware of the importance of mental and physical health as well as we are more educated and expected to follow through with these procedures. However, what is getting over looked is that the things that are expected for parents to do for the children to ensure good health does not take into consideration the race of the family. The blanketed rules have been laid out for those who are completely westernized without understanding the different traditions, rules and ways of life other races may want to uphold in their children. So instead of stating that there is only one way for your child to be healthy and normal, there should be more of an understanding of the unique circumstances that each child is unique.