There are many categories of people we shouldn't judge but that face judgment all too often. I personally feel that our world is too full of judgment and not filled enough with understanding or the willingness to hear others' stories. Here are a few categories of people we shouldn't judge, especially if we've never walked in their shoes.
1. Divorcees
One of the categories of people we shouldn't judge are divorcees. I have heard many people criticize those who get divorced as ruining the sanctity of marriage and family; however, people divorce for many reasons. Oftentimes divorce is a healthier alternative than is remaining in a turbulent, manipulative, or abusive relationship. Don't be so quick to judge someone who has been through a divorce!
2. Suicide Victims
Many people are quick to judge suicide victims as weak and selfish, but this is rarely the case. Many suicide victims suffer from severe depression and see themselves more as a burden to their loved ones than a blessing, and feel that by disappearing they are doing others a favor. They may also not seek help for their suicidal thoughts for many reasons including being seen as weak, not knowing what help exists or how to seek it, etc. Suicide is a terribly tragedy, (and should not be seen as an option because there is always help!), but if you do know of someone who committed suicide, do not be so quick to judge them.
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3. Sex Workers
Did you know that between 60-70% of sex workers and prostitutes were sexually abused as children? Most actually try to escape their work but fail at doing so for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, threats, violence, etc. In addition to this, Dr. Robert Brannon from the National Organization for Men Against Sexism reports that roughly 89% of prostitutes would like to escape their work immediately. So don't judge; you don't know her story.
Source: nomas.org
4. Feminists
Many people judge feminists as "man-haters" and as a threat to society. But this is, in fact, NOT what feminism stands for. Most feminists believe in the equality of the sexes for the good of society. So don't be so quick to judge a feminist!
5. Drug Addicts
Have you ever heard others look at drug addicts and say, "Why can't they just quit?" Unfortunately, many of them do try to "just quit" at some point during their addiction but don't have the tools or resources to remain drug-free. Blaming them and judging them for their problem won't make it go away.
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6. The Homeless
Many people judge the homeless as being lazy for not getting a job and supporting themselves, however, much of the time this is not the case. Many of the homeless have psychological disabilities that make it harder for them to get and hold a steady job. In addition to this, I used to visit soup kitchens and found the several of the homeless there even held college degrees! So don't be so quick to judge the homeless; chances are you could never guess their stories.
7. Rape Victims
It pains me to even put this one on the list. But how many times have you heard, "She was asking for it the way she was dressed," "She shouldn't have put herself in that situation," or even, "She's lying about being raped." Victim-blaming in rape situations has almost become the norm in our society. You never truly know what happened in a situation, but no matter what poor situation a person may have been in, it NEVER gives another person the right to her body, and judging her for being raped is almost as denigrating as the act itself.
So many people are judged unfairly. Have you ever felt that you were judged unfairly? Or that if only people knew your whole story that they might see you in a different light?
Comments
shannon: Opps I've been #6 not #7
Adaydream: This is the best article I've ever read in AllWomenStalk!
aprettybipolargemini: The stress was making my mental health even worse & I was fighting to get disability benefits. Somehow some regulars at my husband’s work heard we were in need of a house & they had one up for sale, but offered to rent it to us & have recently offered
shannon: I've been #7 and #2 is close to my heart you never know what someone else is going thru
courtneyjade: Teenagers get judged a lot these days. People say we don't care, we all smoke and drink, get pregnant, get in trouble at school and don't care about our education. But their are still teenagers out there just like me who want to work to get a good job, who respect their elders, who respect their community and don't drink, smoke or have sex really young. Teens are so misunderstood.
Emily: We all judge. It's really hard not to
Alipeach23: This article is so on time and we need more voices like this! Thank you for writing it and telling the truth... I would like to add a couple of comments. Judging someone makes us feel better about our selves.. Whether it is dine consciously or subconsciously every time we judge somebody., we are showing the world how insecure we are. It needs to be remembered that most suicide victims are NOT in the right frame of mind when they attempt or succeed at killing themselves. So its easy to say snap out of it or there is light at the end of the tunnel and call people cowards but to even say they just needed escape is an understatement. These people are truly very I'll and in need of desperate help.. As far as addicts.. No one wakes up one day and decides to be a drug addict... Most addicts live to us and use to live.. If they stop the serious often life threatening illness and symptoms of withdrawal are too devastating. There needs to be a lot more education and empathy for all addicts including alcoholics. Using drugs and certain kinds after one time can alter the chemistry in your brain which will effect your judgment. Just a couple of things to consider that we can share with judgmental people...
Dafodil: Understandable, but know that no one should be judged quickly. Not just these people.
aprettybipolargemini: We moved in & things started to get better. Then it got worse. After a year & a half the city came to do a rental inspection. Our landlord didn’t keep anything up to code so the city said the house was considered unlivable. We had 30 days to move out.
aprettybipolargemini: for a new house immediately. With 5 of us we couldn’t all fit at my in-laws or my parents. So we basically had to split up. Everyone just assumed we got evicted, even though we explained what happened. We couldn’t find a new house until October!
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