Social stigma refers to severe social disapproval of personal characteristics that is against cultural norms. Social stigma often leads to marginalization.

Examples of social stigmas are physical or mental handicaps and disorders, as well as homosexuality or affiliation with a specific nationality, religion or ethnicity.

See also

• Identity
• Label (sociology)
• Stereotype

Further reading

• Goffman, Erving, 1963: Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0671622447

This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding German Wikipedia article.

Sociology

Stigmatisierung | Stigmatizzazione (scienze sociali) | Stigmatizacijos teorija | Стигматизация (социальная) | Стигматизація