Stigma of Hiv/Aids
Stigma of HIV/AIDS
It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma, and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most commonly affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of education and misconceptions that have developed about the disease. Some individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have even been rejected by their families, their loved ones, and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the global North as it does in the poorer countries of the global South. At the same time, the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, support, and awareness, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. Therefore, while HIV/AIDS is often perceived and interpreted negatively in all levels of society, which has resulted in many misconceptions, efforts are continually being made to counteract such views and the disease itself. Stigma is a powerful tool of social control. Stigma can be used to marginalize, exclude and exercise power over individuals who show certain characteristics. While the societal rejection of certain social groups (e.g. homosexuals, injecting drug users, “sex” workers) may predate HIV/AIDS, the disease has, in many cases, reinforced this stigma. According to a journal article entitled Social Networks and HIV/AIDS Perceptions, “twenty-seven percent of 1,712 adults said they would be less likely to put on a sweatshirt that had been worn once by a person with AIDS, even if the clothing was first cleaned and repackaged” (Kohler et al. 18). From this study it is clearly evident that the AIDS disease has acquired a negative stigma.
It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma, and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most commonly affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of education and misconceptions that have developed about the disease. Some individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have even been rejected by their families, their loved ones, and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the global North as it does in the poorer countries of the global South. At the same time, the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, support, and awareness, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. Therefore, while HIV/AIDS is often perceived and interpreted negatively in all levels of society, which has resulted in many misconceptions, efforts are continually being made to counteract such views and the disease itself. Stigma is a powerful tool of social control. Stigma can be used to marginalize, exclude and exercise power over individuals who show certain characteristics. While the societal rejection of certain social groups (e.g. homosexuals, injecting drug users, “sex” workers) may predate HIV/AIDS, the disease has, in many cases, reinforced this stigma. According to a journal article entitled Social Networks and HIV/AIDS Perceptions, “twenty-seven percent of 1,712 adults said they would be less likely to put on a sweatshirt that had been worn once by a person with AIDS, even if the clothing was first cleaned and repackaged” (Kohler et al. 18). From this study it is clearly evident that the AIDS disease has acquired a negative stigma.
Cited: "AIDS." CQ Research 8 (2008). Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Lebanon Valley Library, Annville "AIDS in America." Avert. 13 Feb. 2007. 14 Mar. 2008 <www.avert.org>. "HIV and Its Transmission." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 8 Mar. 2008. 14 Mar. Jaffe, Harold. "Is There a "State of Denial" in the U.S?" Point of View. 13 Mar. 2003. Pbs. 15 Mar Stevens, Lisa M. "HIV Infection: the Basics." The Journal of the American Medical Association 296 (2006) "25 Years of AIDS." Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. 12 Feb. 2008. UNAIDS. 13 Mar