Our experience in life is often defined by not who we are as individuals, but rather how we are perceived by the world around us. In society, we have deemed what a “normal” person is to look like and act like, and so when society is approached with a person who looks or acts different than the typical human, they are often ridiculed, misrepresented, or treated differently solely based on appearance and through judgment. This is especially common with those who suffer from medical conditions and genetic disabilities. Dwarfism, which is the result of a specific genetic mutation, has a significant effect on bone growth and development, leading to short stature and underdeveloped areas. Those affected by dwarfism suffer not only with their disability but with the effects of a society that has placed a negative perspective on them due to their disability. Throughout history and even to this day, dwarfs have been treated differently due to their appearance, and this can have a great psychological impact on those who have the disability.

Dwarfism is a genetic mutation causing short stature and stunted bone growth. This condition branches into two categories, disproportionate and proportionate dwarfism. Disproportionate dwarfism refers to some parts of the body that are smaller than the other parts, usually the limbs, while the head and torso are normal sized. On the other hand proportionate dwarfism indicates the entire body is proportionally small in stature. Both categories of dwarfisms have their own sub disorders that affect the body in a specific way. The main two differences between the two categories is that disproportionate dwarfism, since some body parts are normal sized, has fairly normal bodily functions, while proportionate not having an adequate body size suffers from poor system development in the body. Regardless of the type of dwarfism, it is unquestionably clear when an individual has such a disability, thus making society act differently towards the affected population in turn causing psychological effects on the affected. 

Throughout history it can be said that people who appeared to be different were always the target of attention.. “From the Freak Show to the Living Room: Cultural Representations of Dwarfism and Obesity” unravels the history and stigma behind people who look different, specifically dwarfs and people who suffer from obesity. The article explains the origin of the “Freak show” and the importance of the people who had roles in this show, mainly being people who appeared to be different from the average person. Dwarfs were seen as interesting and enhanced the curiosity of the general public making the Freak Show a popular entertainment outlet. After the disability movement calling these people with disabilities “freaks” was no longer acceptable leading to the decline of the Freak Show. Although eliminating freak as a term used for people who looked different, as time progressed instead of being part of a circus the main focus of dwarfism has been represented in modern day media through reality tv. 

  Dwarfs have been the subject of mistreatment on a societal as well as a cultural level. “Cultural Representations of Dwarfism” goes beyond dwarfs representation in modern day media but explains how mythology, fiction novels and language shaped the way we think about this condition today. Erin Pritchard, the author, points toward the fact that dwarfs are rarely portrayed as normal human beings but as mythical beings such as elves, leprechauns and imps which is how most people encounter such a condition without meeting someone with dwarfism. This gives the implication that the people with this condition are similar to how they are portrayed in these media outlets leading to multiple stereotypes towards dwarfs. Pritchards continues to explain the importance of language and how it affects the mental health of someone who suffers from dwarfism. dwarves and dwarfs can often be mistakenly interchanged in modern day conversation leading to further stereotypes and mistreatment. 

“Indeed, the linguistic representation of mythological “dwarves” and dwarfs often blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality” , Prichard explains. Having language and media portray your medical condition in the wrong light leads to this cultural stance on how people view dwarfism. 

Erin Prichard the author of “She Finds People Like You Hilarious!” links the social abuse towards dwarfism with superiority and Humor. People in society tend to think positively of tallness and openly express negative convictions towards smaller individuals according to Prichard. This idea of superiority leads to the persecution of anyone who strays away from the societal norm. Humor is another pillar of abuse that Prichard mentions that is damaging to the dwarfism community.  Prichard states “Disablist humour helps to perpetuate pre-conceived attitudes towards, assumptions about, and expectations of disabled people in the minds of non-disabled people, thus reinforcing the foundations on which discrimination rests” which encapsulates the reason humor can be extremely damaging to dwarfs. Humor under normal circumstances is unacceptable with disability but people find it acceptable when it is focused on people with short stature. “Second, people with dwarfism are just seen as small, as opposed to a person with an impairment which is often deemed tragic, pitiful, and painful.” This can be one of the reasons as to why people find it acceptable to make dwarfs the bud of  a joke. Whether it be humor or stereotypes, dwarfism has been caught in the crosshairs of  mistreatment and bullying because society finds this type of comedy acceptable. 

Individuals with dwarfisms because of the outside abuse inturn have internal conflict leading to dilemas as they grow older. The world for a dwarf is complicated because their size inhibits many real life actions, for instance, reaching into a cabinet, sports, and activities that require a certain height. Children with Dwarfism are subjected to bullying because their height is noticeably different from their peers. Having to deal with your surroundings that were not made for you as well as the constant stereotyping because of your condition will lead to negative mental health affects. According to “Children’s psychosocial functioning and parents’ quality of life in pediatric short stature: The mediating role of caregiving stress”, “Some studies have reported lower health‐related quality of life (HrQoL) and more internalizing problems among children with short stature, compared to normal‐statured reference groups”. This lower quality of health can be attributed to the bullying and the struggles life presents to people of short stature. 

  Having the world look at you because you have a medical disability and continue to use it as a joke or have people look at you differently can have negative mental health affects. Throughout history we have seen dwarfs mistreated and laughed at and it only continued through modern day media with reality tv and literature. Affecting self esteem and their quality of life, the society we live in continues to damage these individuals with no sign of  stopping.