Originally, the word stigma meant a visible mark, such as a brand or tattoo, which was used to disgrace, shame, condemn, or ostracize a person. Now, stigma is used to mean a quality or condition that reduces a person who has it from a valued, respected person to a tainted, discounted one. In some cultures, being female or black is considered stigmatizing. Many cultures, which do not understand the biological origins of mental illness, stigmatize the mentally ill.
HIV/AIDS is one of the most stigmatizing medical conditions in modern history (Kalichman, 2004). Many communities direct unfavorable attitudes, beliefs, and policies toward people who have or who are associated with HIV/AIDS, including their loved ones, family members, close associates, and social groups (Brimlow, Cook, & Seaton, 2003). Some communities are less prejudiced toward people with HIV/AIDS than others.
Erving Goffman was a sociologist who originally developed the idea of social stigma (Goffman, 1963). In his work, he identified six dimensions that influence whether a personal quality or condition is stigmatizing. These are summarized in the table below.
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Because HIV/AIDS is a stigmatizing condition, and because people do not want to be discriminated against, many people are hesitant to find out their serostatus or to seek treatment for HIV disease.
Discussion question: What can be done to reduce or eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma?
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