Shame & embarrassment
Shame and embarrassment are common side effects of enduring dampness. This predominantly manifests in relation to inviting friends and family over,
While survey respondents from all tenure types reported such feelings in relation to their living conditions, levels of this were markedly higher in the social rented sector. In addition to this, although respondents and interviewees in the
PRS
The private rental sector covers anyone who rents from a private landlord. In some cases, such as for some housing...Private Rented Sector
This compounding of shame for social tenants is in part linked to
stigma
Overview
Stigma is a social process by which a person or group experiences,
perceives or anticipates an adverse social judgement that results...Stigma
How could they…
Specific phrases often pop up in relation to the anxiety of someone else witnessing damp conditions. Tenants voice this through their concern of what others might think or say. Invariably, these imagined thoughts of others start with the same three words: how could they.
‘How could they live like that’ / ‘How could they let their children live in a place like that’ / ‘How could they keep the house in such a state’ / ‘How could they let that happen’ / ‘How could they let things get so bad’
In some cases, shame and embarrassment can also become affectual causes for the worsening and prolonging of damp conditions. For instance, it may lead someone to delay reporting their conditions for fear that it might lead to judgement, or that they are ultimately at fault.