Editing Dwarfism (section)

==Society and culture==

===Terminology===
[[File:Dwarfism and Gigantism.png|thumb|Comparative illustration from Talbot's 1889 medical treatise named ''[[Degeneration theory|Degeneracy]]: its causes, signs and results'']]
[[File:Two Völuspá Dwarves by Frølich.jpg|thumb|Two [[Norse mythology|Norse]] [[Dwarf (mythology)|dwarfs]] as depicted in a 19th-century edition of the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'' poem ''[[Völuspá]]'' (1895) by [[Lorenz Frølich]]]]
The appropriate term for describing a person of particularly short stature (or with the genetic condition [[achondroplasia]]) has developed euphemistically.

The noun ''dwarf'' stems from {{langx|ang|dweorg}}, originally referring to a being from [[Germanic mythology]]—a [[dwarf (Germanic mythology)|dwarf]]—that dwells in mountains and in the earth, and is associated with wisdom, smithing, mining, and crafting. The [[etymology]] of the word ''dwarf'' is contested, and scholars have proposed varying theories about the origins of the being, including that dwarfs may have originated as nature spirits or as beings associated with death, or as a mixture of concepts. Competing etymologies include a basis in the [[Proto-Indo-European root|Indo-European]] root {{lang|ine-x-proto|dheur-}} (meaning {{gloss|damage}}), the Indo-European root {{lang|ine-x-proto|dhreugh}} (whence modern Dutch {{lang|nl|droom}} {{gloss|dream}} and {{lang|nl|bedrog}} {{gloss|deception}}), and comparisons have been made with the Old Indian ''dhvaras'' (a type of demonic being). The being may not have gained associations with small stature until a later period.<ref name="SIMEK67-68">[[Rudolf Simek|Simek, Rudolf]] (2007) translated by Angela Hall. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Zni8GwAACAAJ Dictionary of Northern Mythology]'', pp. 67–68. [[Boydell & Brewer|D.S. Brewer]] {{ISBN|0-85991-513-1}}</ref>

The terms "little person", "LP" and "person of short stature" are the preferred terms of many of those with this disorder, and while some are uncomfortable with "dwarf" it remains a common term in some areas.<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.washington.edu/doit/how-are-terms-dwarf-little-person-and-person-short-stature-commonly-used|title=How are the terms "dwarf," "little person," and "person of short stature" commonly used?}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=https://littlepeopleofontario.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=64_79|title=Preferred Terms}}</ref><ref name="dwarfism-pbshome"/> However, the plural "dwarfs" as opposed to "dwarves" is generally preferred in the medical context, possibly because the plural "dwarves" was popularized by author [[J. R. R. Tolkien]], describing a race of characters in his ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' books resembling [[Dwarf (folklore)#Eddic sources|Norse dwarfs]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Tolkien|first=John Ronald Reuel|title=The Return of the King|year=1955|publisher=George Allen & Unwin|pages=Appendix F|url=http://valarguild.org/varda/Tolkien/encyc/articles/d/dwarves/dwarfpluralof.htm}}</ref> "[[Midget]]", whose etymology indicates a "tiny biting insect",<ref name="midget-def">{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/midget |title=midget |access-date=2008-11-18 |work=Online Etymology Dictionary |publisher=Dictionary.com }}</ref> came into prominence in the mid-19th century after [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]] used it in her novels ''Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands'' and ''[[Oldtown Folks]]'' where she described children and an extremely short man, respectively.<ref name="dwarfism-pbshome" /> Later some people of short stature considered the word to be offensive because it was the descriptive term applied to [[P. T. Barnum]]'s dwarfs used for public amusement during the [[freak show]] era.<ref name="LPA" /><ref name="Adelson2005">{{cite book|last=Adelson|first=Betty M.|title=The Lives Of Dwarfs: Their Journey From Public Curiosity Toward Social Liberation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ym5x3mq2p7EC&pg=PA295|access-date=8 December 2012|year=2005|publisher=Rutgers University Press|isbn=9780813535487|page=295}}</ref> It is also not considered accurate as it is not a medical term or diagnosis, though it is sometimes used as a slang term to describe those who are particularly short, whether or not they have dwarfism.<ref name="midget-med">{{cite web |url=http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22596 |title=Midget definition |access-date=2008-11-18 |date=9 March 2003 |work=MedicineNet |publisher=MedicineNet, Inc. |archive-date=2011-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623204524/http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22596 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Participation ===
Individuals with dwarfism are capable of actively participating in various aspects of society. They have access to education and sports, and can pursue careers, engaging in a wide range of professions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lpaonline.org/assets/documents/Occupations%20and%20Professions.pdf |title=OCCUPATIONS AND AVOCATIONS |author=Fred Short |date=2008 |accessdate=2023-11-18 |work=Little People of America |publisher=lpaonline.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Acceptance ===
Individuals with dwarfism often face prejudice and stereotypes. Research by Klein (2019) has demonstrated that awareness of the stigmatization of this group can promote full participation in society.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Klein |first=A. |title=Stigmatization and Little People. |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=1133–1150 |year=2019 |journal=Journal of Social Issues |language=en}}</ref> The research by Green and Pinter (2018) in the field of humor and social psychology can provide insights to reduce stereotypes and promote a more objective perception.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Green; Pinter |first=C.M. ; K |title=Humor, comedy, and consumer behavior: A social psychological perspective. |volume=48 |journal=Journal of Applied Social Psychology |year=2018 |number=12 |pages=677–692 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Accommodation ===
[[File:Pedal extenders for short statured individuals (skeletal dysplasia).jpg|thumb|right|Pedal extenders for short statured individuals (skeletal dysplasia)]]
In daily life, little people face numerous obstacles because the environment is tailored to average-sized individuals. Some little people can only use ATMs, kitchens, toilets, and sinks with aids. Low stools and step stools play a special role, as they can be used in various ways to bridge the height difference.
Stools are also useful as footrests while sitting, as the legs of short people dangle in the air when sitting on an average chair, which can be painful and uncomfortable in the long run and may hinder fine motor skills during work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lpbigdesign.com/|title=little people, BIG DESIGN -Custom Furniture for Little People|website=lpbigdesign}}</ref> 

To be mobile, some individuals use customized scooters or bicycles, as it can be problematic, depending on the type of short stature, to walk longer distances. With specially adapted vehicles, most individuals of short stature can drive without further hindrances. Generally, pedal extensions and an individually adjusted seat at the correct height are required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bestlilextensions.com/|title=Products|website=www.bestlilextensions.com}}</ref> Some little people are tall enough to drive without pedal extensions. Usually, patients with skeletal dysplasia with limited mobility can receive allowances or grants for vehicle assistance through [[Government Aid|governmental help]] or rehabilitation providers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lpaonline.org/adaptive-products- | title=Adaptive Products }}</ref>

===Dwarf sports===
Dwarfs have support and compete in sport by a number of [[List of dwarfism organizations|organizations]] nationally and internationally. They are included in some events in the [[athletics at the Summer Paralympics]].

The [[Dwarf Athletic Association of America]] and the [[Dwarf Sports Association UK]] provide opportunities for dwarfs to compete nationally and internationally in the Americas and Europe, respectively. The [[World Dwarf Games]] (WDG) are a multi-sport event for athletes of short stature. The WDG have been held every four years since 1993 and are the world's largest sporting event exclusively for athletes with dwarfism. The Dwarf Sports Association UK organizes between 5 and 20 events per month for athletes with restricted growth conditions in the UK.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.dsauk.org/events/?daterange=2&region_ID=0| title = DSAuk Events| website =Dsauk.org| access-date = 2016-02-27}}</ref> For instance, swimming and bicycling are often recommended for people with skeletal dysplasias, since those activities put minimal pressure on the spine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/skeletal-dysplasias|title=Skeletal Dysplasias|first=The Children's Hospital of|last=Philadelphia|date=25 March 2014|website=Chop.edu}}</ref>

Since its early days, [[professional wrestling]] has had the involvement of dwarf athletes. "[[Midget wrestling]]" had its heyday in the 1950s–'70s, when wrestlers such as [[Little Beaver (wrestler)|Little Beaver]], [[Lord Littlebrook]], and [[Fuzzy Cupid]] toured North America, and [[Sky Low Low]] was the first holder of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]'s [[NWA World Midget's Championship|World Midget Championship]]. In the next couple of decades, more wrestlers became prominent in North America including foreign wrestlers like [[Japan]]'s [[Little Tokyo (wrestler)|Little Tokyo]]. Although the term is seen by some as pejorative, many past and current midget wrestlers including [[Hornswoggle]] said they take pride in the term due to its history in the industry and its marketability.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

===Art and media depictions===
{{See also|Cultural depictions of dwarfism|List of people with dwarfism|Dwarfs and pygmies in Ancient Egypt}}
[[File:Ivory statuette of a woman with dwarfism-IMG 4539-white.jpg|thumb|upright|Ivory statuette of a woman with dwarfism, [[Gerzeh culture]] (Naqada II), in the [[Prehistoric Egypt]] era]]
In art, literature, and movies, dwarfs are rarely depicted as ordinary people who are very short but rather as a species apart. [[Novelist]]s, [[artist]]s, and [[filmmaking|moviemakers]] may attach special moral or aesthetic significance to their "apartness" or misshapenness.

Artistic representations of dwarfism are found on [[ancient Greece|Greek]] vases and other ancient artifacts, including [[ancient Egypt]]ian art in which dwarfs are likely to have been seen as a divine manifestation, with records indicating that they were able to reach high positions in society at the time.<ref name="nunn">''Ancient Egyptian Medicine'', John F. Nunn, University of Oklahoma Press, 2002, pp. 78–79, {{ISBN|0-8061-3504-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051227102614.htm|title=Dwarfs Commanded Respect In Ancient Egypt|website=Sciencedaily.com}}</ref>

The ancient [[Hindu]] text ''[[Bhagavat Purana]]'' devotes nine chapters to the adventures of [[Vamana]], a dwarf avatar of Lord Vishnu.
[[File:Diego Velázquez – El bufón el Primo (Museo del Prado, 1644).jpg|upright|left|thumb|''[[Portrait of Sebastián de Morra|The Dwarf Don Sebastián de Morra]]'', c. 1644 by [[Diego Velázquez|Velázquez]]]]

Depictions of dwarfism are also found in European paintings and many illustrations. Many European paintings (especially [[Spain|Spanish]]) of the 16th–19th centuries depict dwarfs by themselves or with others. In the [[Talmud]], it is said that the second born son of the [[Egypt]]ian [[Pharaoh]] of the [[Bible]] was a dwarf.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/pol/pol09.htm The Talmud – Chapter VI. Death Of Jacob And His Sons – Moses – The Deliverance From Egypt.] URL accessed April 23, 2007.</ref> Recent scholarship has suggested that ancient Egyptians held dwarfs in high esteem.<ref name="dwarfism-egypt">{{cite journal|title=Dwarfs in ancient Egypt|journal=American Journal of Medical Genetics|date=2005-12-27|first=Chahira|last=Kozma|volume=140A|issue=4|pages=303–11|doi= 10.1002/ajmg.a.31068|url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112222883/abstract|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105124935/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112222883/abstract|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-05|access-date=2008-11-12|pmid=16380966|s2cid=797288}}</ref> Several important mythological figures of the North American [[Wyandot people|Wyandot]] nation are portrayed as dwarfs.<ref>Trigger, Bruce G., ''The Children of Aataentsic: A History of the Huron People to 1660'' McGill-Queen's University Press, 1987 {{ISBN|0-7735-0627-6}}, p. 529.</ref>

As popular media has become more widespread, the number of works depicting dwarfs have increased dramatically. Dwarfism is depicted in many books, films, and TV series such as ''[[Willow (1988 film)|Willow]]'', ''[[The Wild Wild West]]'', ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'' (and later parodied in'' [[Austin Powers (film series)|Austin Powers]]''), ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' by [[Jonathan Swift]],<ref>''Gulliver's Travels: Complete, Authoritative Text with Biographical and Historical Contexts'', Palgrave Macmillan 1995 (p. 21). The quote has been misattributed to [[Alexander Pope]], who wrote to Swift in praise of the book just a day earlier.</ref> ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|The Wizard of Oz]]'', ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'', ''[[Bad Santa]]'', ''[[A Son of the Circus]]'', ''[[Little People, Big World]]'', ''[[The Little Couple]]'', ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' (and its TV adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''), ''[[Seinfeld]]'', ''[[The Orator (film)|The Orator]]'', ''[[In Bruges]]'', ''[[The Tin Drum]]'' by [[Günter Grass]], the short-lived reality show ''[[The Littlest Groom]]'', and the films ''[[The Station Agent]]'' and ''[[Zero (2018 film)|Zero]]''.

The [[Animal Planet]] TV series ''[[Pit Boss (TV series)|Pit Boss]]'' features dwarf actor [[Shorty Rossi]] and his talent agency, "Shortywood Productions", which Rossi uses to provide funding for his pit bull rescue operation, "Shorty's Rescue". Rossi's three full-time employees, featured in the series, are little people and aspiring actors. In September 2014, Creative Business House along with Donnons Leur Une Chance, created the [[International Dwarf Fashion Show]] to raise awareness and boost self-confidence of people living with dwarfism.<ref name="GLAM">{{cite news|last1=Stark|first1=Stephanie|title=The Dwarf Fashion Show Debuts in New York City|url=http://www.glammonitor.com/2015/dwarf-fashion-show-debut-2580/|access-date=22 July 2015|publisher=Glammonitor|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126052848/http://www.glammonitor.com/2015/dwarf-fashion-show-debut-2580/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A number of reality television series on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]], beginning with ''[[Little Women: LA]]'' in 2014, focused on showing the lives of women living with dwarfism in various cities around the United States.