Describe what is meant by Stigma and discuss how it can affect experiences of HIV/AIDS

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Describe what is meant by Stigma and discuss how it can affect experiences of HIV/AIDS

Williams (1987) tells us that the word Stigma originated in Greece, where it was used to describe a mark on a person's body. This mark was used to warn others of the bearers' social status as a slave or outcast, allowing "normal" members of society to avoid the marked people. During ancient Greek times, these marks were a physical mark on the body, such as a burn or cut. Now however, Stigma covers a much broader spectrum, becoming attached to conditions, behaviours and symbolic items which "mark" people out as belonging to a group, which, within society is seen as socially inferior. As such, the word has become widely used and its concept and our understanding of it, discussed further (cited by Sheaff, M, 2005). Goffman (1963) said that stigmatisation occurs within a social environment, when a person is found to deviate from the realms of what is seen as "normal" within society. As such these people are then seen as incapable of fulfilling the role(s) that society dictates for them (Jones et al. 1984, cited by Redpath et al