IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/socmed/v39y1994i9p1339-1358.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Stigmatization, scapegoating and discrimination in sexually transmitted diseases: Overcoming 'them' and 'us'

Author

Listed:
  • Gilmore, Norbert
  • Somerville, Margaret A.

Abstract

It is recognized that AIDS involves multiple epidemics. As well as an epidemic of HIV, we are experiencing epidemics of fear and of stigmatization, scapegoating and discrimination associated with AIDS. In this paper, we investigate the nature of these reactions and the links between them. In doing so, we identify some of their causes. We likewise investigate counter-reactions, pre-eminent among which is the promotion of concepts of respect for persons and for human rights. We also examine the 'tools' used to elicit and manifest both these reactions and counter-reactions. In all cases, these 'tools' include choice of language--especially in the form of metaphor and rhetoric--and the use of symbolism. We conclude that in order to deal humanely and compassionately with AIDS and persons with AIDS, and, ultimately, to protect society (including, the fundamental principles and rules on which it is based), a primary requirement is to recognize that we are all living with AIDS, whether infected or affected by it; that is, in the context of AIDS, it is imperative that we overcome any divisions into 'them' and 'us'.

Suggested Citation

  • Gilmore, Norbert & Somerville, Margaret A., 1994. "Stigmatization, scapegoating and discrimination in sexually transmitted diseases: Overcoming 'them' and 'us'," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 1339-1358, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:39:y:1994:i:9:p:1339-1358
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0277-9536(94)90365-4
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bond, Virginia & Chase, Elaine & Aggleton, Peter, 2002. "Stigma, HIV/AIDS and prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Zambia," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 347-356, November.
    2. Fei Teng & Xijing Wang & Jiaxin Shi & Zhansheng Chen & Qianying Huang & Wanrong Cheng, 2021. "Psychosomatic Symptoms and Neuroticism following COVID-19: The Role of Online Aggression toward a Stigmatized Group," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Denis-Ramirez, Elise & Sørensen, Katrine Holmegaard & Skovdal, Morten, 2017. "In the midst of a ‘perfect storm’: Unpacking the causes and consequences of Ebola-related stigma for children orphaned by Ebola in Sierra Leone," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 445-453.
    4. Mak, Winnie W.S. & Mo, Phoenix K.H. & Cheung, Rebecca Y.M. & Woo, Jean & Cheung, Fanny M. & Lee, Dominic, 2006. "Comparative stigma of HIV/AIDS, SARS, and Tuberculosis in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(7), pages 1912-1922, October.
    5. Shalini Bharat, 2000. "Perception of AIDS in Mumbai: A Study of Low Income Communities," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 12(1), pages 43-65, March.
    6. Wallis, Patrick & Nerlich, Brigitte, 2005. "Disease metaphors in new epidemics: the UK media framing of the 2003 SARS epidemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(11), pages 2629-2639, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:39:y:1994:i:9:p:1339-1358. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/315/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.