AIDS/HIV Related Stigma :: AIDS Essays

&65279Introduction Since the appearance of AIDS in the late seventies and early eighties, the disease has had attached to it a evidential social print. This fault has manifested itself in the form of discrimination, avoidance and fear of deal living with AIDS (PLWAs). As a result, the social implications of the disease has been encompassing from those of some other life threatening conditions to the point at which PLWAs are not only faced with a terminal illness but alike social isolation and constant discrimination throughout fiat. Various explanations adjudge been suggested as to the underlying causes of this stigmatization. Many studies point to the relationship the disease has with unnatural behaviour. Others suggest that fear of contagion is the actual culprit. Examining the existing literature and putting it into societal context leads hotshot to believe that there is no one cause. Instead, there would appear to be a collection of associated factors that influenc e societys attitudes towards AIDS and PLWAs. As the number of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus increases, social workers are and will be increasingly c wholeed upon to deal with and mete out PWAs. Although not all social workers chose to work with PLWAs, the escalating incidence of HIV transmitting is creating a situation in which seropositive people are and will be showing up more a lot in almost all areas of social work practice. This paper aims to examine AIDS related stigma and the stigmatization process, hopefully providing insights into countering the effects of stigma and perhaps the possibility of destigmatization. This is of special(a) pertinence to the field of social work due to our growing pursuit with the HIV positive population. Association to Deviant/Marginal Behavior unmatched of the most clearly and often identified causes of AIDS related stigma is its association to deviant behaviour. The disease has had and still does have a ardent associat ion for many to homosexuality, IV drug use, sexual promiscuity and other liberations of sexual practice (OHare, et al., 1996 Canadian Associacion of Social Workers, 1990 Quam, 1990 & Beauger, 1989). An especially unanimous association exists between homosexuality and AIDS. This is largely due to the fact that, in the early years of the disease, it was far more prevalent within the fearless community and almost non-existent outside of it. In fact, until 1982 the disease was referred to as control grid or Gay Related Immune Deficiency. Even today, AIDS is often referred to as the gay plague (Giblin, 1995).