Meaning of Staring and the Starer–Staree Relationship Related to Men Living With Acquired Spinal Cord Injuries

This study explores how men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) interpret and respond to being stared at in public. It examines the meanings they assign to these stares, the impact on their lives, and the strategies they use to cope with such encounters. The research reveals that staring can have both negative consequences, such as feelings of exclusion and dehumanization, and positive opportunities for self-growth and social interaction. Some men develop strategies to manage staring, including ignoring it, confronting the starer, or using the experience to educate others about SCI. The findings suggest that understanding the experiences of men with SCI related to staring is crucial for supporting their transition back into the community and improving their quality of life. Early exposure to public settings during rehabilitation, coupled with supportive discussions, can help individuals adjust to staring and develop coping mechanisms.

• 1
  Staring can lead to feelings of devaluation and dehumanization among men with SCI, making them feel excluded from society and objectified as body parts.
• 2
  Men with SCI respond to staring in various ways, including minimizing their feelings, ignoring the staring, confronting the starer, and presenting themselves in a positive manner to counter the stigmatizing gaze.
• 3
  As men with SCI become more comfortable with staring, they may use these encounters as opportunities to educate others about their condition and reframe disability, transforming a potentially negative experience into a constructive one.