The Normalization of Dysfunction posted 7/10/2009 12:52:56 PM | 0 kudos what's this?     report abuse

mik48

Recent events to go along with the advent of fictional televsion character Gregory House and the reality shows Survivor, Big Brother, and American Idol have put the spotlight on dysfunctional behaviour as becoming the new normal standard of behaviour. Where people proudly display their problems and are adored and immortalized after death. Of course in the case of drug addicted character House and Michael Jackson we do see the very real consequences of not dealing with your problems. Hallucinations and mental hospital for House and the death of a 68 pound Michael Jackson, whose body more than likely just gave out after prolonged drug abuse.

Why this attempt to normalize dysfunction? Well, for one I think it is the downside of accepting oneself for what you are, when you do have dysfunctional behaviour. It is a big positive when a person with severe dysfunction to accept that they have problems to be addressed. That acceptance can be the foundation and springboard into tackling the problems head on, but the downside of that acceptance can be that it leads to increased avoidance of one's problems, due to the belief that it is normal behaviour. We are in danger of seeing the latter happen in today's society as more and more people are using this normalization of dysfunction as a reason to not do anything to face the problems.

The main problem though of not dealing with your problems is that they do not get better or even stabilize the problems from getting worse, but increase the chances that you will eventually lose all control. It is important to understand that whether you call it bad karma, fate, destiny, or movements of the soul, life will draw the people and events into your life to face your problems. If you do not pay attention and make changes then in the end you will most likely be faced with death.

Oh, I'd better add this as well, when I talk of American Idol I am referring to Simon Cowell's abusive behaviour towards contestants and fellow judges on the show.

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