Children's attitudes to physical differences among youth from Western and non-Western cultures

Children with visible physical impairments (cosmetic and orthopedic) are known to experience difficulties in social interaction with peers. Some of these social difficulties are related to attitudes toward visible physical features of children. Several research studies from Western and non-Western countries are reviewed, focusing on children's attitudes toward children with facial disfigurement. Specific social preferences for particular disabilities are noted which are related to cultural and economic factors. Children's attitudes toward facial disfigurement reflect generally low preference for social interaction in the majority of cultures studied. Children's attitudes reflect both positive and negative attributions toward facial disfigurement.