Rehabilitation

/ˌriːhəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/ noun

Definition

Rehabilitation is the process of helping a person or place return to health, strength, or a good condition after illness, injury, or damage.

Etymology

From Latin *rehabilitatio* (restoration), from *rehabilitare* (to restore, make able again), from *re-* (again) + *habilis* (able).

Kelly Says

Physical rehab after an injury rewires your muscles and brain to work together again. Social rehabilitation for prisoners or addicts tries to do the same for behavior and identity—rebuilding a life that fits back into society.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Rehabilitation programs in health, criminal justice, and social services have often been designed around male norms, with women’s and gender-diverse people’s needs treated as secondary or exceptional. In media, "rehabilitation" of public figures’ images has been applied unevenly across genders.

Inclusive Usage

Be specific about the type of rehabilitation (medical, social, legal) and avoid implying that nonconformity to gender norms requires rehabilitation.

Inclusive Alternatives

["recovery support","restorative program","re-entry support"]

Empowerment Note

Acknowledge women and gender-diverse practitioners and advocates who have developed gender-responsive rehabilitation approaches and challenged punitive models.

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