they are perceived to be incompetent, irresponsible, infirm or selfish; 4) create negative emotional reactions in others by being socially adverse, aesthetically displeasing or emotionally threatening” (Derlega 15).1. In our society, people tend to avoid those who pose a potential threat to their health and safety. This is caused by the fact that AIDS is contagious, fatal and presently incurable. The majority of the public still hesitates to interact with individuals with AIDS despite reassurance by the medical community that HIV is not transmitted by casual contact (Derlega 16). As hard as this is to believe, family members of HIV and AIDS victims may also experience this trauma in the same manner. Many people are doubly stigmatized if they are known to have transmitted the virus to another person for example women to their unborn children or gay men to their partners (Derlega 20).2. The general populace is less accepting of those who deviate from the publicly accepted norms, morals and values than it is of those who conform to those social standards. One aspect of the AIDS related stigma is linked with life styles that may be regarded as deviant if not morally wrong. “Thus not only is the disease itself stigmatized because of its perceived threat, it is associated with groups that were already stigmatized before the outbreak of AIDS such as gays, intravenous (I.V.) drug users, and to a lesser extent certain minority groups (Derlega 17). Not all victims of AIDS are as stigmatized by the groups to which they are related, such as the innocent and blameless children or victims of an infected blood transfusion. This shows that others in essence acquired the disease through behavior that is perceived as deviant, or morally wrong. 3. Social groups place considerable emphasis on members carrying their weight. Those who cannot or will not do their share are less fully accepted as full fledged social participants. Peo...
