Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism

Fiasorgbor Doris

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism

Fiasorgbor Doris

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 8, Issue 3)

Received: 29 March 2019 Accepted: 8 May 2019 Published: 24 June 2019

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Abstract

The phenomenon of Albinos being treated badly is a growing concern in many Africa countries. Ghana is not an exception to the general trend of Albinos being discriminated against. However, very little is known about this unique population in Ghana. For most societies, albinism is hardly (or not) understood. Myths and misconceptions surround the condition, a common characteristic of albinos is that they experience stigma as people with white skin in black societies. Stigma and discrimination are sources of depression, guilt and anger among persons with Albinism. This study was conducted in Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a mixed method approach where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were espoused. The study used the probability and non-probability sampling methods to select the participants of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty (31) albino participants. The study found that the outward appearance, myths and perception of people that Albinos wounds or sores do not heal exposed them to stigmatisation and discrimination in the community. Teasing and name calling are some of the difficulties Albinos in Bolgatanga face which sometimes leads to depression and frustrations. Based on the findings the study recommends that teachers and parents should encourage their Albino pupils/wards to stay in school and sensitization programs concerning Albinism should be introduced in schools to create awareness of the conditions to pupils so that they can accept their fellow students who are Albino.

Published in	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 8, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11
Page(s)	61-66
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Albinism, Myths, Realities, Lived Experiences, Bolgatanga

References

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[2]	Schühle, J. (2013). “Medicine Murder of People with Albinism in Tanzania – How Casino Capitalism creates Rumorscapes and Occult Economies.” CAS Working Paper Series, Center for Area Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, 2: 3–35.
[3]	The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH). (2017) http://www.albinism.org/site/c.flKYIdOUIhJ4H/b.9260359/k.EB45/Information_Bulletin__Social_Aspects_of_ Albinism.htm. Accessed 7th March 2019.
[4]	Burke, J. (2012). Discrimination and violence against Tanzanians with albinism in the Great Lakes region: crime and national shame – A paper presented at the 35th AFSAAP Annual Conference. Accessed 3/12/13 http://afsaap.org.au/assets/BURKE.pdf
[5]	Thuku, M. (2011). Myths, discrimination, and the call for special rights for persons with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa. In Amnesty International editorial review on Special Programme on Africa.
[6]	Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly (2012). The Composite Budget ofthe Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly for the 2012 Fiscal Year. Bolgatanga.
[7]	Dogbe J, Owuusu-Dabo E, Edusei A, Plange-Rhule G, Addofoh N, BaffourAwuah A, Sarfo-Kantanka O, Hammond C, Owusu M. (2016) Assessment of prison life of persons with disability in Ghana. BMC Int Health Hum Rights.
[8]	Burke, J., Kaijage, T. J., & John-Langba, J. (2014). Media analysis of albino killings in Tanzania: A social work and human rights perspective. Ethics And Social Welfare, 8 (2), 117-134. doi: 10.1080/17496535.2014.895398
[9]	United Nations Human Rights Council (2013). Attacks and discrimination against people with albinism. http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc. asp Accessed 1st May 2019.?symbol=A/HRC/RES/23/13.
[10]	Mapimhidze, R. (2011): The Agony of Being an Albino. Available online at ww.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-07-20-the-agony-of-being-an-albino. Accessed 30th 2019.
[11]	Protogerou C, Flisher A (2012). Bullying in schools. In: A van Niekerk, S Suffla, M Seedat (Eds.): Crime, Violence and Injury in South Africa: 21st Century 124 CLEVER NDEBELE AND DUDU MSIZA Solutions for Child Safety. Tygerberg: MRC, pp. 119- 133.
[12]	Machoko, C. G. 2013. “Albinism: A Life of Ambiguity – A Zimbabwean Experience.” African Identities 11 (3): 318–333.
[13]	Baker, C., Lund P, Nyathi, R. & Taylor, J. (2010). The myths surrounding people with albinism in South Africa and Zimbabwe. African Cultural Studies 22 (2): 169–181
[14]	Me`Dard Djatou. (2009). “The ‘Wrong’ Colour? Representations and Perceptions of Albinism among the Bamileke of Western Cameroon,” in Expressions of the Body: Representations in Africa Text and Image (pp. 123-128).
[15]	Oakford, S. (2014) Fuelled by superstition, people are violently attacking lbinos in Tanzania. Accessed 23/09/2014. https://news.vice.com/article/fueled-by-superstition-people-are-violently-attacking-albinos-in-tanzania. Accessed 30th 2019.
[16]	Alum, A. Gomez, M., and Ruiz E. (2009). Hocus Pocus, Witchcraft, and Murder: The Plight of Tanzanian Albinos. Chicago: Northwestern University of Law.
[17]	Cruz-Inigo, A. E., Ladizinski, B., & Sethi, A. (2011). Albinism in Africa: Stigma, Slaughter and Awareness
[18]	Brocco, G. 2015. “Labelling albinism: Language and discourse surrounding people with albinism in Tanzania.” Disability and Society 30 (8): 11431157.
[19]	Kiprono, S. K., Joseph, L. N., Naafs, B., and Chaula, B. M. (2012). Quality of Life and People with Albinism in Tanzania: More than Only A Loss of Pigment. Journal of Scientific Reports Vol. 1: 2–83.

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Fiasorgbor Doris. (2019). Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 8(3), 61-66. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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ACS Style

Fiasorgbor Doris. Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2019, 8(3), 61-66. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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AMA Style

Fiasorgbor Doris. Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychol Behav Sci. 2019;8(3):61-66. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11,
  author = {Fiasorgbor Doris},
  title = {Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {61-66},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20190803.11},
  abstract = {The phenomenon of Albinos being treated badly is a growing concern in many Africa countries. Ghana is not an exception to the general trend of Albinos being discriminated against. However, very little is known about this unique population in Ghana. For most societies, albinism is hardly (or not) understood. Myths and misconceptions surround the condition, a common characteristic of albinos is that they experience stigma as people with white skin in black societies. Stigma and discrimination are sources of depression, guilt and anger among persons with Albinism. This study was conducted in Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a mixed method approach where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were espoused. The study used the probability and non-probability sampling methods to select the participants of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty (31) albino participants. The study found that the outward appearance, myths and perception of people that Albinos wounds or sores do not heal exposed them to stigmatisation and discrimination in the community. Teasing and name calling are some of the difficulties Albinos in Bolgatanga face which sometimes leads to depression and frustrations. Based on the findings the study recommends that teachers and parents should encourage their Albino pupils/wards to stay in school and sensitization programs concerning Albinism should be introduced in schools to create awareness of the conditions to pupils so that they can accept their fellow students who are Albino.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism
AU - Fiasorgbor Doris
Y1 - 2019/06/24
PY - 2019
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11
DO - 10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11
T2 - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP - 61
EP - 66
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2328-7845
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11
AB - The phenomenon of Albinos being treated badly is a growing concern in many Africa countries. Ghana is not an exception to the general trend of Albinos being discriminated against. However, very little is known about this unique population in Ghana. For most societies, albinism is hardly (or not) understood. Myths and misconceptions surround the condition, a common characteristic of albinos is that they experience stigma as people with white skin in black societies. Stigma and discrimination are sources of depression, guilt and anger among persons with Albinism. This study was conducted in Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a mixed method approach where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were espoused. The study used the probability and non-probability sampling methods to select the participants of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty (31) albino participants. The study found that the outward appearance, myths and perception of people that Albinos wounds or sores do not heal exposed them to stigmatisation and discrimination in the community. Teasing and name calling are some of the difficulties Albinos in Bolgatanga face which sometimes leads to depression and frustrations. Based on the findings the study recommends that teachers and parents should encourage their Albino pupils/wards to stay in school and sensitization programs concerning Albinism should be introduced in schools to create awareness of the conditions to pupils so that they can accept their fellow students who are Albino.
VL - 8
IS - 3
ER -

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Author Information

Fiasorgbor Doris

Department of Rural and Community Development, Presbyterian University College, Ghana, Akropong

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APA Style

Fiasorgbor Doris. (2019). Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 8(3), 61-66. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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ACS Style

Fiasorgbor Doris. Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2019, 8(3), 61-66. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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AMA Style

Fiasorgbor Doris. Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism. Psychol Behav Sci. 2019;8(3):61-66. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11

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@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11,
  author = {Fiasorgbor Doris},
  title = {Myths and Stereotypes: The Lived Experiences of People with Albinism},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {61-66},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20190803.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20190803.11},
  abstract = {The phenomenon of Albinos being treated badly is a growing concern in many Africa countries. Ghana is not an exception to the general trend of Albinos being discriminated against. However, very little is known about this unique population in Ghana. For most societies, albinism is hardly (or not) understood. Myths and misconceptions surround the condition, a common characteristic of albinos is that they experience stigma as people with white skin in black societies. Stigma and discrimination are sources of depression, guilt and anger among persons with Albinism. This study was conducted in Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a mixed method approach where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were espoused. The study used the probability and non-probability sampling methods to select the participants of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty (31) albino participants. The study found that the outward appearance, myths and perception of people that Albinos wounds or sores do not heal exposed them to stigmatisation and discrimination in the community. Teasing and name calling are some of the difficulties Albinos in Bolgatanga face which sometimes leads to depression and frustrations. Based on the findings the study recommends that teachers and parents should encourage their Albino pupils/wards to stay in school and sensitization programs concerning Albinism should be introduced in schools to create awareness of the conditions to pupils so that they can accept their fellow students who are Albino.},
 year = {2019}
}

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