Since an early age we have been socialized to judge and categorized individuals based on what we see and what we consider “normal,” therefore, any deviation from that is considered something strange, unnatural which is more than likely to obtain a negative label; stigma. For the most part, first impressions are sufficient to make up our minds in regards to someone’s personality. It is this limited mindset that erases the personal attributes of individuals, and does not allow us to look behind their looks. The book Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity by Erving Goffman (1963) focuses on the concept of stigma and what it is like to be a stigmatized person. Goffman defines stigma in terms of “bodily signs designed to expose something
…show more content…
Nonetheless, through the use of autobiographies and case studies Goffman analyzes stigmatized individuals and their experiences. Overall, he looks at the variety of strategies that stigmatized individuals’ use to respond to their situations, such as dealing with rejection and how to project themselves to others. Goffman provides use with the two sides of the story; it not only captures the experiences of the stigmatized, but also of those who label them. Therefore, I argue that stigma is something established by society, and it is this that not only limits and constrains individuals, but also forces them to want to be different
To start off, what I found really interesting was the way the book starts. The letter to a "Lonelyhearts" captures the experience of a girl who has been stigmatized for being "born without a nose." Nonetheless, the interesting part is that the letter concludes, "Ought I commit suicide?" In my opinion this short letter, sets the tone for a book that addresses the alienation and categorization of those different …show more content…
Therefore, it is clear that stigma has/is present in each of your lives, however we all experience it in different ways. From a personal experience, stigma has always been present in my life. Whether is was my skin color, or class background those are stigma symbols that I carry with me everywhere I go. Nonetheless, the media and society tend to stigmatize my people by referring to us as criminals, or stigmatize us based on teen pregnancy. I might not fall under the categories but the way I look makes me a possible
Nonetheless, through the use of autobiographies and case studies Goffman analyzes stigmatized individuals and their experiences. Overall, he looks at the variety of strategies that stigmatized individuals’ use to respond to their situations, such as dealing with rejection and how to project themselves to others. Goffman provides use with the two sides of the story; it not only captures the experiences of the stigmatized, but also of those who label them. Therefore, I argue that stigma is something established by society, and it is this that not only limits and constrains individuals, but also forces them to want to be different
To start off, what I found really interesting was the way the book starts. The letter to a "Lonelyhearts" captures the experience of a girl who has been stigmatized for being "born without a nose." Nonetheless, the interesting part is that the letter concludes, "Ought I commit suicide?" In my opinion this short letter, sets the tone for a book that addresses the alienation and categorization of those different …show more content…
Therefore, it is clear that stigma has/is present in each of your lives, however we all experience it in different ways. From a personal experience, stigma has always been present in my life. Whether is was my skin color, or class background those are stigma symbols that I carry with me everywhere I go. Nonetheless, the media and society tend to stigmatize my people by referring to us as criminals, or stigmatize us based on teen pregnancy. I might not fall under the categories but the way I look makes me a possible