Editorial What does independence

mean? Independence is something that tends to be highly valued in many current societies: it is something that is sought and prized. However, one consequence of this is that perceived dependency is often stigmatized and those who require support can be marginalized and devalued. Furthermore, such perceptions are sometimes fuelled and maintained by media reports that portray the need for support as a ‘drain ’ on the economic resources of society. The concept of independence (and by implication also that of dependence), however, requires critical analysis. I read the work of Jenny Morris (1993) regarding independent living many years ago, but one key point from this work has stayed with me: independence can be viewed in different ways. In her book, she highlighted how (from a professional perspective) independence is often viewed in terms of whether an individual is able to do something on his or her own. In other words, we tend to assess the extent to which someone is able to perform tasks without assistance (independence) and use this as a basis for arranging packages of care and support when someone is unable to undertake these tasks on their own. However, she also provides an alternative perspective, namely, that independence is concerned with autonomy and being able to exercise control. In this context, a