On Managing a Courtesy Stigma

One way of managing a courtesy stigma is to recognize its situational variability, making it possible to emulate conventional behavior. The adaptations of mothers of mentally retarded children are examined through their relationships with family, friends, and other parents of retardates. Altering the meanings of these relationships and limiting participation in the organized world of mental retardation helps maintain community membership. Recognizing the priorities of conventional family life provides additional ways of conveying an image of normality. Others validate this adaptation until the retardate reaches adolescence.