Anorexia: Illuminating Impairment or Dishonourable Disability?

Abstract

Since its evolution in the 1960s the social model of disability, forged as an alternative to the medical model, has become increasingly established and influential. Consequently, supporters of this way of thinking have felt able to criticise it. Anorexia, not generally included in Disability Studies, will be used below to address perceived flaws in the social model, for instance its neglect of impairment and experience. While not providing answers to these disagreements, this article hopes to promote further discussion and raise issues of concern to those who are familiar with the social model and to those with an interest in anorexia.