Moving beyond the individual: The impact and importance of sociocultural influences on visible difference

Abstract

This paper examines sociocultural factors that shape the experiences of people living with visible differences, highlighting the impact of stigma, societal judgment and appearance-based discrimination, traditional and social media, and the importance of considering intersectionality and cultural context. Taking a sociocultural perspective, we examine how portrayals of visible difference in traditional and social media perpetuate stereotypes, promote unrealistic narrow beauty ideals and stigma. We show the value of considering how intersectional identities, such as gender, race, and sexuality, reveal the unique experiences of marginalized groups, and explore visible differences within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where stigma and human rights violations persist, advocating for culturally sensitive interventions at family, community, healthcare, and governmental levels. We demonstrate the importance of integrating visible difference and disability research, promoting pride in identity, and involving people with lived experience in research, healthcare and advocacy. Recommendations include incorporating social models of disability into visible difference research and practice and increasing the presence of visible difference in disability work, fostering inclusive representation in the media, leveraging social media to normalize differences, and expanding research to capture the diversity of experiences of visible difference, particularly in underrepresented groups and regions. This would advance understanding and inform policies and practices that enhance acceptance, reduce stigma, and support the well-being of individuals living with visible differences and their families.