Stigmatization

Stigmatization is the process by which individuals or groups are devalued and discriminated against based on perceived differences. It involves labeling, stereotyping, and social exclusion that marks a person as different from the norms of a social group. Where stigma resides in social interaction and institutions, it becomes a mechanism through which power relations are reproduced. The concept was developed in sociology by Erving Goffman, who described stigma as an attribute that is deeply discrediting and that spoils an otherwise normal identity.

Stigmatization can be overt or subtle and can be enacted by others (enacted stigma) or experienced by those stigmatized (felt or self-stigma). Structural or institutional stigma refers to laws, policies, and organizational practices that restrict opportunities for stigmatized groups, often reinforcing social inequities.

Common targets include health conditions such as mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and obesity; disabilities; race and ethnicity; gender identity and sexuality; nationality and immigration status; and criminal history or social deviance. The effects can be profound, including discrimination in employment and housing, barriers to healthcare, social isolation, reduced self-esteem, and poor mental health.

Efforts to reduce stigmatization emphasize education, contact with members of stigmatized groups, and policy measures that promote equal rights and access. Media representation and inclusive language also play a role, alongside broader social changes that address structural sources of stigma.