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Stigma v. Discrimination

WHATS THE DIF????

Degrees of Stigma
According to researchers, diseases associated with the highest degree of stigma share common attributes: The person with the disease is seen as responsible for having the illness The disease is both progressive and incurable The disease is not well understood among the public The symptoms cannot be concealed.
Goffman, 1963; Herek, 1999; Stoddard T. Don't call it AIDS (HIV disease is more appropriate). New York Times. 17 Aug. 1994:A15; Jones EE, Farina A, Hastorf AH, et al. Social Stigma: The Psychology of Marked Relationships. New York: W.H. Freeman, 1984

Consequences
What might be some of the consequences from perceived stigma? How might the individual act differently? How might society treat that individual differently?

Stigma as a Barrier to Prevention

HIV/AIDS like other STIs, is highly stigmatized due to the method of transmission.

Because the course of HIV is fatal, this stigma and blame is even more acute.

Seeing the afflicted as different allows others to feel safe and superior

"Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon

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1) What percentage of students at Oregon State University report being sexually active (any type) in the last year?

2) Of those who ARE sexually active, how many had more than one partner?

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Of those who were sexually active:

1. What percent report oral sex in a 30 day period?

2. What percent report vaginal intercourse in a 30 day period?

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3. What percent report anal sex in a 30 day

How Should We Perceive STIs?

STIs are just infections.
They have no inherent moral or immoral component. They infect people regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation

It only takes one sexual partner to end up with an STI.

Having an STI says nothing about your sexual history They are a likely risk of having sex (a very natural human behavior)

How Do We Change This?