Misplaced Pages

Self-hatred: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:58, 26 September 2005 editMarumari (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,221 editsm →Jewish self-hatred: Removed crappy link to search engine which provided no additional info.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 18:24, 17 November 2024 edit undoKku (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users115,530 editsm link homophobia 
(748 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Hatred of oneself}}
{{vprotected}}
{{multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=June 2012}}
Literally, '''self-hatred''' refers to an extreme dislike of oneself, or being angry at oneself. The term is also used to designate a dislike or hatred of a group to which one belongs. For instance, 'ethnic self-hatred' is the extreme dislike of one's ethnic group. Accusations of self-hatred, like ], are often used inappropriately as an ] attack to avoid rational debate.
{{cite check|date=April 2019}}
{{Expert needed|1=Psychology|reason=Article needs significant revision, analysis, and sourcing|date=April 2024}}
}}
'''Self-hatred''' is personal self-loathing (] of oneself) or low ]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2013-09-20 |title=I Hate Myself |url=https://www.psychalive.org/i-hate-myself/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=PsychAlive |language=en-US}}</ref> which may lead to ].{{Clarification needed|date=July 2024}}


==In psychology and psychiatry==
The term 'self-hatred' is used infrequently by psychologists and psychiatrists, who would usually describe people who hate themselves as 'persons with low ]'. Some people think that self-hatred and shame are important factors in some or many ]s, especially disorders that involve a perceived defect of oneself (e.g. ]). "Ethnic self-hatred" is considered by some people as being a cultural issue, to which psychological theories have limited relevance.
The term "self-hatred" is used infrequently by psychologists and psychiatrists, who would usually describe people who hate themselves as "people with low ]".<ref name=":1" /> Self-hatred, self-guilt and ] are important factors in some or many ]s, especially disorders that involve a perceived defect of oneself (e.g. ]). Self-hatred is also a symptom of many ]s, including ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/borderline-personality-disorder-symptoms|title=Borderline Personality Disorder - Symptoms|publisher=WebMD|access-date=17 June 2012}}</ref> as well as mood disorders like ]. It can also be linked to guilt for someone's own actions that they view as wrongful, e.g., ].{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}


==In social groups==
== Types of self-hatred ==
Self-hatred by members of ethnic groups, gender groups, and religions is postulated to be a result of internalization of hatred of those groups from dominant cultures.


=== Ethnic groups ===
The term Self-hatred can refer to either a strong dislike for oneself, one's actions, or a strong dislike or hatred of one's own ], ], or ].
{{main|Internalized racism}}


=== Personal self-hatred === === Women ===
{{main|Internalized sexism}}


=== Jews ===
Personal self-hatred is similar to ] and can result in an ]. Some ] theorists such as ] see ] as being deliberately designed to induce self-hatred, negative ], and ], with the ] then being used to suggest the cure . See also the arguments related to the '']'' phenomenon.
{{main|Self-hating Jew}}
], in his book, ''Jewish Self-Hatred'' (1930), identified this as a pathology, “a manifestation of an over identification with the dominant culture and internalization of its prejudices.” There have been studies from sources stated in the scholarly research, “mental illness in Jews often derived from feelings of inferiority and self-hatred resulting from persecution and their subordinate position in society.”{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}


The term has been used to label ] accused of hiding their identity “by converting or intermarrying and raising their children in another faith” to overcome sociopolitical barriers due to ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Alperin |first1=Richard M. |title=Jewish Self-Hatred: The Internalization of Prejudice |journal=Clinical Social Work Journal |date=September 2016 |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=221–230 |doi=10.1007/s10615-016-0577-2 |s2cid=147008248 }}</ref>
=== Jewish self-hatred ===


=== LGBT+ individuals ===
In ]ish self-hatred a person exhibits a strong shame or hatred of their Jewish identity, of other ]s, or of the Jewish religion. This may result from feelings of inferiority brought upon by ] they have suffered in the past. This can lead to attempts to distance themselves from their Jewish identity by avoiding activities and styles of dress and appearance currently or traditionally associated with Jewish people. They may also attempt to adopt the behavior patterns and characteristics more predominantly associated with ]s. In some cases a Jew will not only distance themselves from other Jews but actually engage in discrimination against others Jews. A famous instance of this happening was the case of ] who repudiated his Jewish background and joined the ], eventually rising to Grand Dragon status, until he committed suicide after the New York Times reported that he was, in fact, Jewish. The film "]" was loosely based on his life. This phenomenon may also contribute to what has been dubbed the ] of modern assimilated Jews in free societies. Based on his widely publicized ] statements, ] could be considered another example.
{{main|Internalized homophobia}}
Internalized ] refers to negative stereotypes, beliefs, stigma, and prejudice about homosexuality and ] people that a person with same-sex attraction turns inward on themselves, whether or not they identify as LGBT.<ref name="Herek 2004">{{cite journal|last=Herek|first=Gregory M.|date=April 2004|title=Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century|url=http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/Herek_2004_SRSP.pdf|journal=Sexuality Research and Social Policy|volume=1|issue=2|pages=6–24|doi=10.1525/srsp.2004.1.2.6|s2cid=145788359}}</ref><ref name="Herek1998">{{cite journal|last1=Herek|first1=Gregory M.|last2=Cogan|first2=Jeanine C.|last3=Gillis|first3=J. Roy|last4=Glunt|first4=Eric K.|year=1997|title=Correlates of Internalized Homophobia in a Community Sample of Lesbians and Gay Men|journal=Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association|volume=2|issue=1|pages=17–25|citeseerx=10.1.1.582.7247|oclc=206392016}}</ref><ref name="pmid10788206">{{cite journal|last1=Williamson|first1=I. R.|date=1 February 2000|title=Internalized homophobia and health issues affecting lesbians and gay men|journal=Health Education Research|volume=15|issue=1|pages=97–107|doi=10.1093/her/15.1.97|pmid=10788206|doi-access=free}}</ref>


==Related concepts==
Professor ] of the University of Illinois-Chicago defines Jewish Self-Hatred as:
:"...the internalization of the negative stereotypes about who you are--the identification with the reference group's image of you as "the other" in society. The person who is labeled as different wants to find out why he or she fits the stereotype, or to prove that he/she does not. But the more one attempts to identify with societal definitions in order to fit in, the more one accepts the attitudes of the determining group, the farther away from true acceptability one seems to be."


=== Self-deprecation ===
According to the professor, the term self-hating Jew comes from a disagreement over the validity of the Jewish reform movement between ] of the Breslau seminary in Germany and ] in the 19th century. Some neo-Orthodox Jews viewed reform Jews as inauthentic Jews under the perceived notion that the Reformers identified with German Protestantism and German nationalism. In response, some Reform Jews labeled the neo-Orthodox Jews "self-haters" in return. Today there is still a serious schism between Orthodox and Reform Judaism, but the rhetoric has changed; most Orthodox and Reform Jews do not refer to each other as self-hating Jews.
{{main|Self-deprecation}}


Self-deprecation is the act of belittling, undervaluing, or disparaging oneself, or being excessively modest.<ref name="dictionary">{{Cite web |title=Self-Deprecation |url=https://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/self-deprecation/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=Personality & Spirituality |date=8 September 2013 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It can be used in humor and tension release,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sietar.org.uk/publications/articles/55-the-funny-thing-about-work|title=The Funny Thing About Work|last=Hill|first=Matthew|publisher=Society for Intercultural Training and Research|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120031057/http://www.sietar.org.uk/publications/articles/55-the-funny-thing-about-work|archive-date=2012-01-20|access-date=2011-05-04}}</ref> but it also can be used to normalize self-hatred, which can be a problem.
One of the problems with defining Jewish self-hatred is defining what it means to be a Jew and thus what it means for a Jew to hate himself. Some ] define Jews who support most forms of ] as self-hating.


=== Self-harm ===
The term self-hatred has been applied by a large segment of the Jewish community against a number of Jewish authors who have written material that the Jewish community considers anti-Semitic. The ]'s report on ''The Talmud and ]'' states:
{{main|Self-harm}}
:In distorting the normative meaning of rabbinic texts, anti-Talmud writers frequently remove passages from their textual and historical context....Those who attack the Talmud frequently cite ancient rabbinic sources without noting subsequent developments in Jewish thought....Are the polemicists Anti-Semites? This is a charged term that should not be used lightly, but the answer, by and large, is yes. Now and then a polemicist of this type may have been born Jewish, but their systematic distortion of the ancient texts, always in the direction of portraying Judaism negatively, their lack of interest in good-faith efforts to understand contemporary Judaism from contemporary Jews, and their dimissal of any voices opposing their own, suggests that their goal in reading ancient rabbinic literature is to produce the Frankenstein version of Judaism that they invariable claim to have uncovered." (''See report linked below'')
{{See also|Mortification of the flesh|Self-flagellation}}


Self-harm is a condition where subjects may feel compelled to physically injure themselves as an outlet for depression, anxiety, or anger, and is related with numerous psychological disorders.<ref name="Gindhu05">{{cite journal |last1=Laye-Gindhu |first1=Aviva |last2=Schonert-Reichl |first2=Kimberly A. |title=Nonsuicidal Self-Harm Among Community Adolescents: Understanding the 'Whats' and 'Whys' of Self-Harm |journal=Journal of Youth and Adolescence |date=October 2005 |volume=34 |issue=5 |pages=447–457 |doi=10.1007/s10964-005-7262-z |s2cid=145689088 }}</ref><ref name="Klonsky07">{{citation |author=Klonsky, D. |year=2007 |title=The functions of deliberate self-injury: A review of the evidence |journal=Clinical Psychological Review |volume=27 |pages=226–239 |doi=10.1016/j.cpr.2006.08.002 |pmid=17014942 |issue=2|s2cid=1321836 }}</ref><ref name="Muehlenkamp05">{{cite journal |last1=Muehlenkamp |first1=Jennifer J. |title=Self-Injurious Behavior as a Separate Clinical Syndrome. |journal=American Journal of Orthopsychiatry |date=2005 |volume=75 |issue=2 |pages=324–333 |doi=10.1037/0002-9432.75.2.324 |pmid=15839768 |citeseerx=10.1.1.874.2944 }}</ref>
Also see ].


In some cases, self-harm can lead to ] or ]. It is not a definitive indicator, however, of a desire either to commit suicide or even of its consideration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201210/understanding-suicide-and-self-harm|title=Understanding Suicide and Self-harm|website=Psychology Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref>
=== Black self-hatred ===

] self-hatred is generally defined as a Black person who hates his Black racial identity and may try to distance himself from this identity. Like Jewish self-hate, there is some disagreement as to what it means to be Black. Some Black people feel that those who demonstrate a preference for clothing styles, music choices, etc. that have been predominantly associated with white culture are self-hating. Thus for them being Black is more just one’s skin color. Some, such as journalist John Carlson, have suggested that ] is a form of Black Self-hatred. In his view, when Black rappers portray Black women as "bitches" and "whores" and Black men as "worthy of respect only in relation to their capacity to kill or maim others" they are essentially expressing a form of self-hate with basically buying into and propagating, through their music, racist ] about Black people.

=== White self-hatred ===

A rarer example of the phenomenon of self-hatred is ] self-hatred, similarly defined as a White person who is ashamed of, or hates, a White racial identity and may try to distance themselves from this identity. This term has been used by ] groups to defend ].

=== Gay self-hatred ===

A self-hating ] would be a gay person who actively supports efforts to limit the ] of gays or either openly criticizes or openly engages in ] behavior. Famous examples include ], ], and the Mayor of Spokane, Washington ]. The groundbreaking ] movie '']'' depicted gay characters engaged in and reacting to self-hatred. Some argue that latent homosexual tendencies, when ], often lead to ] actions.

=== Self-injury as self-hatred ===

] is a psychological disorder involving self-hatred where the subject feels compelled to physically injure themselves.

== Controversy over the definition and use of the label ''self-hatred'' ==

The proper definition of self-hatred, especially from a racial perspective, has been controversial. The biggest controversy centers on definition and appropriate use, if any, of the label "self hating Jew". Leftist Jews such as ] and ] have charged that some pro-Israel advocates define and apply the label in a manner designed to silence or discredit any Jew who disagrees with their politics regarding Israel.

One example cited by some as an abuse of the “self-hating” label is its use by the creators of the website , who have labeled the liberal Rabbi Michael Lerner a "pitiful self-hating weasel" in what he and his supporters charge is an attempt to discredit him for not maintaining unqualified support of Israel.

Another example where this abuse has been said to occur was in relation to ], an African-American businessman and University of California Regent. Connerly vigorously led a campaign opposing ] in California and later across the country. Some affirmative action supporters claim he and other Black people opposed to affirmative action are denying the positive benefits they have received via affirmative action, and thus are self-hating Blacks. Connerly's supporters argue that affirmative action is a form of reverse racism that ultimately is bad for Black people and prevents society from becoming truly color blind, an ideal goal in their view.

Professor Sander L. Gilman of the University of Illinois-Chicago rejects the notion that all or most Jewish critics of Israel are self-hating. In his view, if a Jew actively opposes the Jewish state under the belief that Jews, as a group, are incapable of national ] then it would likely be applicable. On the other hand, if a Jew only opposes specific policies and not the existence of Israel as a whole, then that would not necessarily be self-hatred so long as their position changes along with any changes that occur in Israeli and Palestinian policy and direction. If his or her point of view continues to remain fixated, it might very well be reasonable to apply the label "self-hating"


==See also== ==See also==
], ], ], ], ]

==References==

* Henry Bean ''The Believer: Confronting Jewish Self-Hatred'', Thunder's Mouth Press, 2002 (Deals with Daniel Burros and the movie ''The Believer'')

* ''Is Black self-hatred racist?'' John Carlson, Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, Feb. 9 1994.

* ''The stars & stripes of David'' David Biale, The Nation, 5/4/1998

* Sander L. Gilman ''Jewish Self-Hatred: Anti-Semitism and the Hidden Language of the Jews'', Johns Hopkins University Press; Reprint edition 1990

* Sander L. Gilman ''Difference and Pathology: Stereotypes of Sexuality, Race and Madness'' Cornell University Press, 1985

==External references==

===Jewish self-hatred ===


*{{annotated link|Anti-Germans (political current)}}
*
*{{annotated link|Anti-Japaneseism}}
*
*{{annotated link|Mongrel complex}}
*
*{{annotated link|Internalized oppression}}
*
*{{annotated link|Sadomasochism}}
*
*{{annotated link|White guilt}}
*
*
*


== References ==
=== Black self-hatred ===
{{Reflist}}


== Further reading ==
*
* ] ''Difference and Pathology: Stereotypes of Sexuality, Race and Madness'' ], 1985. {{ISBN|978-0-8014-1785-6}}


*


{{Authority control}}
]
]
]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Self-Hatred}}
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 18:24, 17 November 2024

Hatred of oneself
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Self-hatred" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This article may contain citations that do not verify the text. Please check for citation inaccuracies. (April 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This article needs attention from an expert in Psychology. The specific problem is: Article needs significant revision, analysis, and sourcing. WikiProject Psychology may be able to help recruit an expert. (April 2024)
(Learn how and when to remove this message)

Self-hatred is personal self-loathing (hatred of oneself) or low self-esteem which may lead to self-harm.

In psychology and psychiatry

The term "self-hatred" is used infrequently by psychologists and psychiatrists, who would usually describe people who hate themselves as "people with low self-esteem". Self-hatred, self-guilt and shame are important factors in some or many mental disorders, especially disorders that involve a perceived defect of oneself (e.g. body dysmorphic disorder). Self-hatred is also a symptom of many personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, as well as mood disorders like depression. It can also be linked to guilt for someone's own actions that they view as wrongful, e.g., survivor guilt.

In social groups

Self-hatred by members of ethnic groups, gender groups, and religions is postulated to be a result of internalization of hatred of those groups from dominant cultures.

Ethnic groups

Main article: Internalized racism

Women

Main article: Internalized sexism

Jews

Main article: Self-hating Jew

Theodor Lessing, in his book, Jewish Self-Hatred (1930), identified this as a pathology, “a manifestation of an over identification with the dominant culture and internalization of its prejudices.” There have been studies from sources stated in the scholarly research, “mental illness in Jews often derived from feelings of inferiority and self-hatred resulting from persecution and their subordinate position in society.”

The term has been used to label American Jews accused of hiding their identity “by converting or intermarrying and raising their children in another faith” to overcome sociopolitical barriers due to antisemitism in the United States.

LGBT+ individuals

Main article: Internalized homophobia

Internalized homophobia refers to negative stereotypes, beliefs, stigma, and prejudice about homosexuality and LGBT people that a person with same-sex attraction turns inward on themselves, whether or not they identify as LGBT.

Related concepts

Self-deprecation

Main article: Self-deprecation

Self-deprecation is the act of belittling, undervaluing, or disparaging oneself, or being excessively modest. It can be used in humor and tension release, but it also can be used to normalize self-hatred, which can be a problem.

Self-harm

Main article: Self-harm See also: Mortification of the flesh and Self-flagellation

Self-harm is a condition where subjects may feel compelled to physically injure themselves as an outlet for depression, anxiety, or anger, and is related with numerous psychological disorders.

In some cases, self-harm can lead to accidental death or suicide. It is not a definitive indicator, however, of a desire either to commit suicide or even of its consideration.

See also

References

  1. ^ "I Hate Myself". PsychAlive. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  2. "Borderline Personality Disorder - Symptoms". WebMD. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  3. Alperin, Richard M. (September 2016). "Jewish Self-Hatred: The Internalization of Prejudice". Clinical Social Work Journal. 44 (3): 221–230. doi:10.1007/s10615-016-0577-2. S2CID 147008248.
  4. Herek, Gregory M. (April 2004). "Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century" (PDF). Sexuality Research and Social Policy. 1 (2): 6–24. doi:10.1525/srsp.2004.1.2.6. S2CID 145788359.
  5. Herek, Gregory M.; Cogan, Jeanine C.; Gillis, J. Roy; Glunt, Eric K. (1997). "Correlates of Internalized Homophobia in a Community Sample of Lesbians and Gay Men". Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. 2 (1): 17–25. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.582.7247. OCLC 206392016.
  6. Williamson, I. R. (1 February 2000). "Internalized homophobia and health issues affecting lesbians and gay men". Health Education Research. 15 (1): 97–107. doi:10.1093/her/15.1.97. PMID 10788206.
  7. "Self-Deprecation". Personality & Spirituality. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  8. Hill, Matthew. "The Funny Thing About Work". Society for Intercultural Training and Research. Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
  9. Laye-Gindhu, Aviva; Schonert-Reichl, Kimberly A. (October 2005). "Nonsuicidal Self-Harm Among Community Adolescents: Understanding the 'Whats' and 'Whys' of Self-Harm". Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 34 (5): 447–457. doi:10.1007/s10964-005-7262-z. S2CID 145689088.
  10. Klonsky, D. (2007), "The functions of deliberate self-injury: A review of the evidence", Clinical Psychological Review, 27 (2): 226–239, doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.08.002, PMID 17014942, S2CID 1321836
  11. Muehlenkamp, Jennifer J. (2005). "Self-Injurious Behavior as a Separate Clinical Syndrome". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 75 (2): 324–333. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.874.2944. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.75.2.324. PMID 15839768.
  12. "Understanding Suicide and Self-harm". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2019-02-01.

Further reading


Categories: