Chapter 3
Maharashtra State Board: Class 5 , EVS
“People addicted to tobacco spit here and there all the time and make their surroundings dirty.”
According to the American Psychiatric Association, "Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence."
The stigma around mental health and psychiatric disorders is reflected in school textbooks. In the first picture, the use of the word ‘pathetic’ while describing a vulnerable state of an addict is insensitive.
How information is framed becomes significant- especially, when such information is consumed by children. Then, sentences like ‘time and efforts are wasted’ and ‘everyone is put to great trouble’ can amplify the shame around addiction rather than sensitising children to this disease.
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