Let me ask this question right back at you. if you were a mentally ill person, would you want people to discriminate against you? discrimination is discrimination, no matter what form it presents itself. equality is what america is about. actually, your question really disturbs me. why would you even consider discriminating against a mentally ill person? yes, in life, you have certain rights, as a u.s citizen. BUT, discrimination against a mentally ill person is not one of them. to you, i give a demanding NO, to your question.

Well, lets look at the definition of discriminate as defined by thefreedictionary.com: dis·crim·i·nate (d-skrm-nt) v. dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing, dis·crim·i·nates v.intr. 1. a. To make a clear distinction; distinguish: discriminate among the options available. b. To make sensible decisions; judge wisely. 2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit; show preference or prejudice: was accused of discriminating against women; discriminated in favor of his cronies. v.tr. 1. To perceive the distinguishing features of; recognize as distinct: discriminate right from wrong. 2. To distinguish by noting differences; differentiate: unable to discriminate colors. 3. To make or constitute a distinction in or between: methods that discriminate science from pseudoscience. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now take a look at that definition and ask yourself the same question again paying close attention to the points defined as well as a few others, such as: Does the level mental illness affect the persons judgement? Has the level of mental illness been defined in the medical field? What level of responsibility are you bestowing on the mentally ill person? Are you prepared to take responsibility for the actions of the mentally ill person whom you have put in the position (profesional,social,etc)? Mental illness is a BROAD topic, ranging from depression to Paranoid Schitzophrenic (spelling???), there are many mentally ill people who function quite normally and are quite capable of performing any task, and excel in any social situation, but there are also some who don't, and again,depending on the level of mental illness, you could possibly not want them working at a Day Care center for instance. So, Do we have the right to discriminate against a person who is mentally ill? I would have to say yes but not going on the definition as it relates to racial or sexual context, but in the context that relates to common sense. We need to embrace the mentally ill, help them out where we can, they are an important part of our own families and society in general. This is a difficult question to answer as worded, as there are some connotations that go along the words Right (legal,moral, personal etc.) and Discriminate because this word has taken on a meaning that has negative vibes (and in some instances rightfully so!) Hope this helps you out. ******************************************* **Edit after Quirkie rating** Quirkie eh, okay, here we go again! As I stated in my answer the word discriminate has several meanings, as I outlined not all of them necessarily carry the negative connotations as "discriminate" does when it is used in the civil rights debate. We can speculate what the questioner meant by discriminate if we choose, lets bear in mind most countries in the free world have laws that are designed to prevent discrimination (from a civil rights point of view). So the question could amount to "Do we have the right to break a law?" With laws of society, the answer is no, with the law of nature, the answer is yes (but you run the risk of being prosecuited with the laws of society). So yes a person can go ahead and break a law if they choose, its their "right" to do it, but be prepared to suffer the consequences. ...Pretty lame question and answer hey! I chose to speculate that the questioner meant discriminate in terms of using the mental illness as a basis for making a choice...a choice between two people, for a task that may be hindered if performed by someone with a certain mental illness. I outlined the reasons why I believed they could, in the same manner that you can eliminate double leg amputees as pants fitters, blind people as ambulance drivers, deaf and mute people as radio broadcasters. Yes you do have the right in certain circumstances to discriminate between people, so long as you can prove that it is because their affliction would affect their ability to perform the task, not because you dont like them or are uncomfortable by their presence, like some people are who discriminate based on race!

What one person calls discrimination may be self-defense by somebody else or many other reasons. Many people are going around trying to make money off of mentally ill people by saying that if they do not get what they want, they they were discriminated against. No consideration about why the other person did what he did. In court they find something that is set up for both sides to speak their case- not just the one side.

You have a right to think what you want to. We don't have a "right" to treat people the way we do, we just do. If you say it's okay to discriminate against a person because of their mental state, you can pretty much change the reasoning to apply to any group of people. If the mental illness would get in the way of a job in a serious way, that person is not qualified for the job--not because they are mentally ill, but because it would seriously hinder their performance. Someone with a severe case of Tourette's Syndrome may not be a good applicant for a news broadcaster. People who know they are mentally ill are usually capable of judging their strengths and weaknesses. It really depends on the people and situation. We can think what we want to about a person, and if we don't get to know them, it's our loss. You can choose not to like someone on the basis of what you think their mental capability is, the color their skin, their age, their religion, their favorite sports team, or what color socks they are wearing, but that doesn't make it right or even a good idea. We do not have a right, "an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature", to discriminate.

If for qualifying for a job, then they may not qualify, is that discrimination...NO. If they are abusive then that is not allowed in the workplace, handicapped or not, you are not allowed. Is that discrimination because of the known handicap? NO. If you cannot perform your job because of a known handicap? NO In social venues, then if you are not liked or accepted with your handicap? No one is.. So I would say NO that mental handicaps are not discriminated against. Only un-qualified for what they seek.

No, first because isn't it below someone to pick on someone else? Second, if per se, you had some sort of head trauma that made your motor skills not function properly, yet you could still understand what people said, I really don't think that'd be fair, considering you couldn't defend yourself. Secondly, for the mentally handicapped who CANNOT understand any sort of "finger-pointing and laughing" well, don't disrespect the people who care for them. I don't think it's a matter of right, it's a matter of whether you have tact and courtesy for those who haven't fared as well as you.

Well, to discriminate in what way? I mean, "discriminate" just means to differentiate, to distinguish, to treat differently. Mentally ill people are different from non-mentally ill people and should be treated differently. In what ways depends on their particular illness and their individual needs and preferences. I suspect you don't mean it in this way, so I'm wondering what way do you mean it? The word "right" is kind of throwing me, too. I mean, we have the "right" to treat anyone however we like, so long as we aren't abusing or assaulting them. But how we treat one another shouldn't be guided by our rights, but by our morals and ethics and social responsibilities. We should make extra allowances for disabled and ill people so that they can have access to the same things we do as much as possible. We shouldn't treat people poorly just because they are disabled or ill. We shouldn't assume we know their abilities and disabilities without asking. Is that what you mean?

We have the same right to discriminate against them as we do against anyone else (which is zero).

No one has the right.. Whether wrong or right,It's a personal choice...

Would depend on what exactly is afflicting the person. "Mentally ill" is a rather general term. It could be a case of depression or is this person a sociopath??? That being stated, yes- If it potentially could negatively affect him/herself or others around him/her and/or if it would mean a job less well-done. Mind you, there would be other, more suitable opportunities available. Would you hire a blind man to drive you to work every day?

no. nobody does. they don't ask to be mentally ill anymore than a person asked to have cancer. However, they are discriminated against all the time..not because they are not able to do the job but because people assume that they are not able to and treat them differently. If I don't tell my employer About my illness and I have problems I can get fired for having struggles but if I tell them up front than I don't get hired. so no. I shouldn't be but it happens all the time. An employer will hire someone who has has a rotten work history or who has a sorry attitude before they will hire a person with a mental illness.

No. Depression is a mental illness and is the most wide spread mental disease there is. If you want to discriminate- then you discriminate against me, I don't feel "bad" for saying that I have it.

No, but they must be held to the same standards of behavior in the workplace as everyone else.