Conclusions: Themes in an Anthropology of Mild Mental Retardation

摘要: The argument for an anthropological study of mental retardation is, now, old but still valid one. If there is one firm conclusion to be made over the last decade and one-half research on this handicapping condition, it that mild as much or more a social cultural phenomenon medical-genetic cognitive-psychological In support this, different researchers have pointed instability definitions years how definitional changes directly affected absolute number individuals in population regarded “retarded”. They demonstrated each new immigrant group has been “found” disproportionate retarded members proportion suspiciously even newer groups replace (Kamin, 1974). Other shown purportedly persons sometimes blend with general once they are out school (MacMillan, 1977); how, at least recent times, system “conspires” label place other developmentally delayed children special classes order fill quotas guarantee governmental funding (Mehan et al. 1981; Mehan, 1983; 1984).