The Hidden Prejudice: Mental Disability on Trial

by Michael L. Perlin

In The Hidden Prejudice, Michael L. Perlin reveals a pattern of prejudice against mentally disabled individuals that keeps them from receiving equal treatment under the law. Sanism, like racism, is a prejudice against a minority population. This mostly hidden prejudice against mentally ill people has pervaded Western culture throughout history and continues to affect our culture and legal system. Under the pretext of improving society, a judge, lawyer or fact-finder may rationalize turning a blind eye to faulty evidence and render a sanist decision. The pretext for this testimonial dishonesty is that the end result justifies the means. In cases involving the mentally disabled, these results are founded on the prejudicial belief that the mentally disabled are not responsible for or intelligent enough to deserve full rights of citizenship. Perlin argues that these sanist decisions, rationalized on pretextuality, are much more common than most of us are likely to realize.

Genres: Disability, Law

329 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Rob Wipond · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? A seminal legal text, virtually unreadable with 3/4ths of every page filled with footnotes, but the main thread remains an absolutely riveting, persuasive and profoundly disturbing analysis of how civil mental health laws work in America!

[Melody Moezzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew it was possible to love a textbook. Not only is it informative and well-researched, it's a joy to read. I'm a lawyer who never took disability law in law school and am trying to learn more. Still, I don't think you need to be a lawyer to understand most of the book. I should also say, I hated law school. I DON'T enjoy reading legal textbooks, but this isn't anything like that. It's not a bunch of cases. It's a well-written commentary supported by facts. I learned a LOT...and enjoyed myself in the process.