A Moral Test

Robert Fettgather is an associate faculty member at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, where he has taught courses in developmental psychology, general psychology, abnormal psychology, psychiatric interviewing, and developmental disabilities. Robert Fettgather has published articles in the field as well as addressed state and national conferences.

Societal views of people with mental illness change with time. Social views intersect with government/public policies, laws, and regulations related to mental illness.  Most of you have heard and perhaps even studied political terms like liberal and conservative.  According to researchers, a “liberal era” between 1960 and 1980 in the United States was characterized by a commitment to individual rights and fairness. Liberal politician Hubert Humphrey once said,

“the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.” 

The “neoconservative era” that followed focused on majority concerns and on law and order. Neoconservative austerity measures led to cuts in many programs that benefit people with mental disorders.  The tension between liberal and neoconservative political factions continues to this day.

REFLECTION POINT:

Do you agree with the sentiment that the way individuals with mental illness (and other socially marginalized groups) are treated by a society is an important measure of the success of that society?