“Review of AIDS and Stigma’ by Gregory M. Harek

The current literature as of 1999 is reviewed regarding the daub that attaches to people with take to heart (PWAs and people with HIV (PWHIVs). Stigma refers to difference and prejudice enjoin at PWAs and PWHIVs as well as those people associated with them or c atomic number 18givers for them.This crack has resulted in firings, evictions, and other forms of prejudice to people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and HIV. The existence of steel has had a bad offspring on the response to the AIDS crisis and could bring forth a continuing affect on the various policies designed to assist PWAs and PWHIVs.Surveys throughout the world and specifically in the United States catch indicated a negative attitude towards PWAs and PWHIVs by a signifi gitt majority of people. in that location ar several possible reasons for the stigma. Me really people believe PWAs and PWHIVs got the disease by their own actions and behavior. Others timidity contracting the disease from any contac t with PWAs and PWHIVs.Then in that respect is the stigma associated with any disease considered that cannot be cured followed by the terror of contracting a contagious disease. Finally is the stigma associated with diseases or conditions bear on the victims outward appearance and capability.The stigma of AIDS has an impact on a personal level and with society and public policy. For example, umpteen people with AIDS or HIV do not get tested for tending of the stigma attached to the disease.In society the negative attitude has and continues to redeem an piece on public policy and public health issues and legislation. However, the situation has changed everyplace the years with education, and with continued education discrimination and prejudice towards PWAs and PWHIVs will advertise decrease.I like this article for several reasons. It is well written and organized. It is written in a style and manner which is easy to read for the average student.There is no specialized langu age or culture presented. Additionally in that location are no graphs or tables of statistics or lengthy quotations or references to other work. There is no detectible bias in the article. It is a very relevant case today as much as it was when written. It is very thought evoke and informative regarding a variety of issues.The issue of stigma can have a very strong affect on the individual reader, as it has had on me. Unfortunately AIDS has spread to the point where more(prenominal) and more people retire of somebody afflicted with the disease or know someone who has been directly affected by the disease.With this increase comes the wittingness of the stigma associated with PWAs and PWHIV, and the likelihood that someone we know has suffered from discrimination or prejudice.There is an association effect as well, when there is a similar prejudice, discrimination or reverence of people who take care of or are related to PWAs and PWHIVs. The information presented in the articl e cannot help entirely make the individual alive(predicate) of the issue if he or she is not already familiar with the disease, and adds cognition to those who are familiar with it.Additionally, it makes the individual, and me, question whether or not I obligate any prejudice or discrimination and if so how I attest it. This article is very good at making me look outgoing myself to broader issues, as well as to look inside myself for attitudes I should question.I especially like the method in which the causes of stigma are presented. It is particularly ministrant in examining whether or not I believe in any of the reasons or use them as an excuse. It is alike helpful in realizing the hallucination of many of the reasons.The first reason presented seems very irrelevant, as regardless of how someone contracted AIDS or any disease should have no bearing on attitude, although for many people religious belief whitethorn be a factor that cannot be easily ignored.The second reason, fear of contracting the disease, was a personal fear of mine until I became assured of the fact that it cannot be contracted by casual contact. Common good sense tells us that we are probably around PWAs and PWHIVs daily without knowing it, and there has been no cases caused by casual contact.The third and fourth reasons are the ones that I have the most difficult time with, as I have always been uncomfortable around people with life-threatening or entrepot diseases, or people who obviously show outward signs of the disease.I believe many people have this discomfort, and probably always will, as it can be very difficult to interact with such strong issues in the understate. However, what is important is to keep the discomfort into becoming a prejudice or source of discrimination.I really liked the article because it is hopeful. It has taken a very difficult and depressing topic but presented it a manner which gives optimism to the issue. It does this by making the reader aware of the reasons, and on reflection, realizes all of the reasons can be lessened or removed with awareness and education.It has made me more aware of a very significant issue in society today. It has also caused me to reflect on my personal attitude and actions. It has clearly presents a thesis and evidence in an easy-to-read manner.I like it because it stresses how common and damaging prejudice and discrimination is, and the role of education in overcoming prejudice, which is important not just for PWAs and PWHIVs but for everyone. Finally, it is an article I can use as reference to anyone who can benefit from the information or may be interested in the issue.Works CitedHarek, Gregory M. AIDS and Stigma. American Behavioral Scientist, Volume 42, No. 7, April 1999. 1102-1112.