A strong feeling of shame or disapproval that society attaches to a behavior, condition, or group of people.
From Latin “stigma,” from Greek “stigma,” meaning a mark or tattoo made by a pointed tool. It originally referred to physical marks on slaves or criminals before becoming a metaphorical ‘mark of shame.’
A stigma is like an invisible tattoo that society imagines on someone, marking them as ‘less than.’ Removing stigma isn’t about changing the person—it’s about changing how everyone else thinks.
Stigma has been used to describe social disapproval attached to certain identities or conditions, including strong gendered stigma around sexuality, reproductive choices, and nonconforming gender expression. Women, trans, and nonbinary people have historically faced disproportionate stigma in areas like single parenthood, sex work, and mental health.
Use the term to analyze or challenge discriminatory attitudes, not to label people themselves as 'stigmatized' in a defining way. Be specific about what group experiences stigma and from whom.
["social bias","social disapproval","marginalization"]
Women activists and scholars have led efforts to reduce stigma around issues like domestic violence, reproductive health, and mental illness, reframing them as social and public health concerns rather than moral failings.
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