Ethnic Differences in Expressions of Shame Feeling By Mothers of Severely Handicapped Children

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Abstract
SHAME on the part of parents of mentally handicapped children has pro nounced effects on child-rearing practices. The aim of this study was to compare expressions of shame of different ethnic groups in Israel. The attitudes of 23 Western mothers and 26 Eastern mothers towards their moderately and severely retarded children were studied. Significant differences (p<0.05 - p<0.01) were found, suggesting that the Eastern mothers strongly expressed their shame, whereas the Western mothers 'felt ashamed' to express it at all. The Western mothers felt that the social norms that reject feelings of shame and their own personal feelings of embarrassment were in conflict.

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