Social variables in the perception and acceptance of retardation

The effects of country of origin (Jews of European or Jews of Eastern descent) and social class of the parents, and the level of retardation of the child on parental guilt feelings, perception of the retardation, and acceptance of the child, were studied in Israel. The results showed no effect for country of origin. Middle class parents and parents of severely retarded children more accurately perceived the retardation than lower class parents or parents whose children were less severely retarded. But there were no differences by social class or level of retardation for parental guilt feelings or acceptance of the child.