Issue Analysis Part III: Social Justice

Who is Impacted by the Misunderstanding of Neurodiversity?

The answer to this is simple: Everyone.  Everyone is impacted.  How?  To better explain this is to understand Systems Theory: "Systems Theory explains human behavior as the intersection of the influences of multiple interrelated systems.  Even for individual issues, families, organizations, societies, and other systems are inherently involved and must be considered when attempting to understand and assist the individual.  According to this theory, all systems are interrelated parts constituting an ordered whole and each subsystem influences other parts of the whole (2U, 2018).

What this means is we all affect one another.  Imagine a system of gears in a clock, each gear is important; even the smallest of gears.  If one gear is missing, the clock cannot function properly.  

This is what Systems Theory is.  Applying Systems Theory to my social justice issue of the marginalization of those who are Autistic and ADHD (Neurodiverse), means that these individuals are just as much as a part of our society as anyone else; and marginalizing them is harming others.  In doing this, we are creating a society of individuals to care less and less about a population that is only growing bigger.  These individuals are evident in our schools, in needing assistance (whether it be financial aid, case management, assistance, etc.), in the work environment, and in our everyday lives.  Continuing to oppress and discriminate will only affect everyone else.  There are movements that will happen, as these populations are gaining a louder voice.  It is time we hear them and allow our society to gain from learning about this population than neglecting them.  As evidenced, in the book "Happiness and Economics" by Frey and Stutzer (2002), societies that are the happiest do not create institutions that separate each other, but societies that create institutions to allow everyone the ability to contribute to society.

What WOULD a Just Society Look Like for this Population?

There are many individuals who would approach this question in a variety of ways, and have many opinions.  In sharing mine, I do not mean for it to be the only approach, just one in which I have research and thought through.  I am more than open to other thoughts and opinions.  I would also like to consider my worldview, education, cultural background, own neurodiversity, and upbringing play into effect as a I present this.

When thinking of a just society, i would like to pull from two social justice frameworks: John Rawls' Theory of Justice and Relational-Cultural Theory (Rawls, 1971 & Comstock, Hammer, Strentzch, Cannon, Parsons, & Salazar, 2008).

John Rawls' Theory of Justice argues that self-interested rational persons put on a "Veil of Ignorance", which allows the person to disregard biases and judgments.  When individuals choose to do so, two general principles of justice emerge:

1. Principle of Equality: this first principle states that every individual has an equal right to basic liberty.  Rawls claimed that certain rights and freedoms are more important than others.  That each person has an equal right to the most extensive liberties compatible with similar liberties for all.
2. Difference Principle: this second principle states that social and economic inequalities should be arranged so that they are both:
1. to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged persons, and
2. attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of equality of opportunity (Rawls, 1971).

The Relational-Cultural Theory has 7 main tenets:

1. People grow through and toward relationship throughout the lifespan.
2. Movement toward mutuality rather than separation characterizes mature functioning.
3. The ability to participate in increasingly complex and diversified relational networks characterizes psychological growth.
4. Mutual empathy and mutual empowerment are at the core of growth-fostering relationships.
5. Authenticity is necessary for real engagement in growth-fostering relationships.
6. When people contribute to the development of growth-fostering relationships, they grow as a result of their participation in such relationships.
7. The goal of development is the realization of increased relational competence over the lifespan (Comstock, et. al., 2008).

I chose these two as applications towards a just society due to Rawls' theory, which calls for equal rights and an abandonment of personal biases, to allow those who have been considered least advantaged to take political positions.  This would allow for more representation.  This, combined with the relational-cultural theory, that society could adapt, would call for mutual empathy, understanding of those who are diverse and a movement toward a mutuality, rather than separation.  My idea is that people would be more open and compassionate, open to empathy throughout the lifespan; while allowing liberties and stronger representation politically and physically for those who are Neurodiverse.