Two Explanations Of Interdependence

In layman’s terms, interdependence refers to a situation where two people are reliant on each other to complete a goal (Cook & Denny, 2005). The field of critical disability studies offers a its own perspective on the definition of interdependence. Some scholars challenge this binary categorization of individuals and care. All humans are interdependent of each other, and have the potential to care for others or to receive care (Williams, 2001). Some scholars question this take on interdependency. Some individuals with a severe disability are genuinely dependent on help from others (Kittay, 1999). Fine and Glendinning (2005) attempted to bridge the gap between these two interpretations of interdependency. Interdependency does not deny relations

81). For example, society perceives an individual to be independent if he/she can complete daily activities without help. An orientation towards interdependence challenges the notion of independence. Interdependence admits that all humans, at one point, will be dependent on another person for various reasons (Fine & Glendinning, 2005). Interdependence, in other words, eliminates independence as a valid phenomenon. Unfortunately, non-disabled people are rarely required to reveal the resources or interdependent relationships they rely on (Runswick-Cole & Goodley, 2014, p. 127). Thus, disabled people are seen as dependent, which creates an illusion that they cannot function in society. Interdependence sheds light on the reciprocal relationships present among all humans. Moreover, interdependence challenges the claim that only disabled individuals are dependent on

Independence is correlated with autonomy as individuals who feel dependent on others may not have a sense of a complete self. Individuals judge autonomy based on relationships with others (Fine & Glendinning, 2005). Autonomy is a socially constructed phenomenon such that non-disabled people may be more likely to feel autonomous than disabled people. Non-disabled individuals are more likely to feel autonomous because of the social perception that disabled people are dependent on non-disabled people to function. This social perception creates feelings of worthlessness and powerlessness in disabled individuals. An orientation towards interdependence challenges the social construction of autonomy. Furthermore, interdependence highlights that caregivers and care-recipients develop their capabilities together. All individuals produce meaningful changes in each other’s lives, creating a sense of self-fulfillment and autonomy for both non-disabled and disabled individuals (Fine & Glendinning,