Stigmatize
/ˈstɪɡməˌtaɪz/
verbC1
Definition
Stigmatize means to give a negative and unfair mark or label to a person, group, or idea. This often causes others to avoid, judge, or treat them badly because of that mark. It usually happens because of something seen as different or wrong by society.
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See It in Action
To mark or label someone as socially unacceptable or shameful
- •People who have mental illness are often stigmatized unfairly.
- •Some cultures stigmatize those who do not follow traditional roles.
- •The campaign works to stop stigmatizing people with HIV.
To cause someone to be socially shamed or avoided because of a particular characteristic or behavior
- •Teenagers can feel stigmatized because of their appearance.
- •The disease was stigmatized, making patients afraid to ask for help.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stigmatize" like "blame," but stronger—it is not just blaming but marking someone as bad or shameful in a way that others notice and avoid.
- ✓Picture someone with a big red mark on their forehead that everyone can see, making them feel different and sad.
- ✓It's the feeling when you are treated unfairly because of something about you that others don’t accept.
- ✓Sounds like "STIG-ma-tize" → imagine a "stigma" as a sticky tag that people put on you, and "tize" means to do it to someone.
- ✓Think of stories where people are treated badly because of a secret or mistake, like Hester Prynne in "The Scarlet Letter" who was stigmatized by her community.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (pretending something is not there), stigmatize means actively marking and judging someone.
- ✓NOT like "criticize" (pointing out faults), stigmatize adds a strong label that causes shame and social rejection.
Try Other Words
- •Label: to put a name or category on someone or something (Use when focusing on naming or categorizing, not always negative)
- •Discriminate: to treat unfairly because of a difference (Use when the focus is on unfair treatment, especially in social or legal contexts)
- •Condemn: to express strong disapproval (Use when emphasizing strong judgment or punishment)
- •Exclude: to keep someone out from a group (Use when the focus is on social rejection)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "stigma" (a mark of shame) + "-ize" (a verb ending meaning to make or cause)
- •Etymology: From Greek "stigma," meaning a mark or tattoo used to show shame or ownership in ancient times
- •Historical development: Originally a physical mark for slaves or criminals, later used for social shame or disgrace
- •Modern usage: Used to describe social processes where people are unfairly marked or judged, especially in psychology and social studies
Reflect & Connect
•How can stigmatizing someone affect their life and feelings?
•Can stigmatizing ever help people change, or does it mostly cause harm?
Fill in the blanks
1.People are often stigmatized because of ___ that others think are wrong or strange.
2.When a group is stigmatized, they usually face ___ from others in society.
3.Stigmatize is different from criticize because it adds a ___ that causes shame and rejection.
4.Health campaigns try to reduce stigmatize by ___ people’s understanding and acceptance.
5.Someone who is stigmatized might feel ___ or afraid to ask for help.
6.Stigmatize often happens when society ___ certain behaviors or characteristics.
7.Instead of stigmatizing, we should try to ___ and support people who are different.