Influence of Yoruba Beliefs About Abnormality on the Socialization of Deaf Children: A Research Note

Abstract

The study examines patterns of communication modes of guidance and discipline and affectional bonds between 176 Yoruba hearing mothers and their deaf children. Results relating to communication support earlier findings about the frustrations inherent in such endeavour. Contrary to other published reports, the Yoruba mothers studied perceived expressive linguistic abilities of deaf children more negatively than receptive abilities. Communication difficulties affected mothers' guidance and discipline, particularly since the culturally preferred modes of discipline rely very heavily on children's age-related language competence. Mothers' verbal claims of affectional bonds were not supported by evidence from other sources close to and including the deaf children.

Perception and attitude of people toward onchocerciasis (river blindness) in south western Nigeria

“…These attitudes are similar to those reported by Wagbatsoma and Okojie 11. This outcome was expected as the Yoruba believe in the “normal” and “perfect” and abhor the “abnormal” and “imperfect.”14 Normal people treat the handicapped as less than normal and whenever possible, avoid sustained social interaction with them. Over a third (32.2%) claimed onchocerciasis transmission is through fomites, and 26.2% believed avoidance of infected persons was the only means of prevention.…”

Follow‐up default in a hospital‐based universal newborn hearing screening programme in a low‐income country

“…First, unfavourable attitudes and superstitious beliefs towards childhood deafness and other disabilities in developing countries could be a major disincentive for follow‐up compliance. For instance, among the predominant ethnic group in this study population, having a child with hearing loss is perceived as a curse, a spiritual attack or divine punishment from a deity which is a source of stigma and shame for the affected family (Togonu‐Bickersteth & Odebiyi 1985; Stephens Stephens et al . 2000; Kiyaga & Moores 2003).…”

Models of service delivery for ear and hearing care in remote or resource-constrained environments

“…In a study from South Africa, 57 per cent of mothers held superstitious beliefs about the cause of hearing loss in their child, 19 and in Nigeria there are reports of altered maternal-child bonding in deaf children. 20 Others may not realise that a child who is deaf usually has normal intelligence. It may not always be easy to get individuals to 'buy in' to treatment: in Lagos (Nigeria), 84 per cent of mothers were supportive of fitting hearing aids to their deaf child, 21 but in Karnataka (India) that figure was only 54 per cent.…”