On Managing a Courtesy Stigma

Birenbaum, Arnold

doi:10.2307/2948301

Cited by 120 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Among the various disorders that have been considered in terms of their stigmatising effects are epilepsy (Schneider and Conrad 1980;Scambler and Hopkins 1986;West 1986), deafness (Becker 1981), mental retardation (Birenbaum 1970), rheumatoid arthritis (Bury 1982), alcoholism (Albrecht, Walker and Levy 1982), diabetes (Hopper 1981), cancer (MacDonaid 1988), Machado-Joseph disease (Boutte 1987) and mental illness (Goffman 1961). Most of this research has focused on the potentially stigmatising effects of these disorders and the ways in which the afBicted individuals perceive and manage the negative reactions of outsiders to their disorders.…”

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Typically these studies have examined the experiences of adult individuals and approached the role of the affected families in terms of their support in helping the individual cope with his or her illness. However, a number of studies have focused on the problems of stigmatising illnesses among children and the stigmatising effects of their illnesses on their families (Birenbaum 1970;Voysey 1972Voysey , 1975Scambler and Hopkins 1986;West 1986).…”

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, most researchers have argued that the families of disabled individuals experience what Goffman referred to as a 'courtesy stigma' (Birenbaum 1970;Voysey 1972;Scambler and Hopkins 1986;West 1986). By this, they mean that the members of such families experience stigmatisation because of their affiliation with the stigmatised individual rather than through any characteristic of their own.…”

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are regarded as 'normal yet different' (Birenbaum 1970:196). The relatives of the disabled are also recognised as among the 'wise' (Goffman 1963;Birenbaum 1970;Voysey 1972). The 'wise' constitute those individuals who, although they do not directly share the stigma of the afflicted individual, have insight into their world and can offer them sympathy and assistance.…”

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Researchers in this area have also emphasised the situational context of stigma (Birenbaum 1970;Voysey 1972). Became of the afBliational nature of a courtesy stigma, the relative of a stigmatised individual has a range of options available conceming information control.…”

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children

Gray

1993

Sociology Health & Illness

280

217

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This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study of courtesy stigma among 32 parents of autistic children. The results indicate that autism has uniquely stigmatising aspects because of the extremely disruptive nature of autistic symptoms, the normal physical appearance of autistic children, and the lack of public knowledge and understanding regarding the nature of autism. Most parents perceived themselves to be stigmatised by their child's disorder. There was a strong tendency for mothers to feel more stigmatised than fathers. Parents with more severely disabled children and children who were under the age of twelve were also somewhat more likely to perceive themselves to be stigmatised.

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Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antiaii and The Concqit Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children

Gray

1993

Sociology Health & Illness

280

217

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Parenting children with Proteus syndrome: Experiences with, and adaptation to, courtesy stigma

Turner

Biesecker

Leib

et al. 2007

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

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Courtesy stigma refers to the stigmatization an unaffected person experiences due to his or her relationship with a person who bears a stigma. Parents of children with genetic conditions are particularly vulnerable to courtesy stigma, but little research has been done to explore this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to investigate the courtesy stigma experiences of parents of children with Proteus syndrome (PS) and related overgrowth conditions. Thematic analysis of transcripts from 31 parents identified three distinct themes: stigma experiences, social-emotional reactions to stigmatizing encounters, and coping responses. Four types of stigmatizing experiences were identified: intrusive inquires, staring and pointing, devaluing remarks, and social withdrawal. Additionally, we uncovered eight strategies parents used to cope with courtesy stigma: attributing cause, assigning meaning to social exchanges, concealing, withdrawing socially, taking the offensive, employing indifference, instructing and learning from family, and educating others. Parents' choices of strategy type were found to be context dependent and evolved over time. This is the first study to document the adaptive evolution of coping strategies to offset courtesy stigma by parents of children with genetic conditions. These results provide groundwork for genetic counseling interventions aimed at addressing issues of courtesy stigma and further investigation of the phenomenon itself.

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Parental views of surveillance for early speech and language difficulties

Glogowska

Campbell

2004

Children & Society

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Objective: To investigate parents' experiences of surveillance for early talking difficulties. Design: Qualitative study nested within a randomised controlled trial. Setting: Interviews with the parents of 20 children identified as having early difficulties. Results: Most parents were in favour of surveillance of children's language. Parents do not totally welcome surveillance, however, as it also potentially medicalises their children's early lives. The study also revealed that many of the parents felt stigmatised by their children's difficulties. Conclusions: Listening to parents' accounts can increase professionals' understanding of their responses to monitoring of their child's development and referral to specialist services. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. IntroductionDuring the twentieth century, observation of children's growth and development became the norm in the UK. Many aspects of children's development are now regularly monitored and children are screened for a variety of abnormalities and diseases throughout their early lives. Learning to talk is a major milestone in young children's development. Of all the impairments present in early childhood, it is suggested that language difficulties may be the most common. At any one time a fifth of parents in Britain are concerned about their child's language development (Law, 1992). Community child health professionals such as health visitors routinely monitor children's acquisition of language. Where difficulties are suspected, referral is usually made to speech and language therapy (SLT) departments, often based in community clinics.Over the last decade there has been a growing expectation that parents would take on a significant rô le in monitoring their children's development and work alongside professionals in the early identification of problems. Parents' participation in surveillance and early identification of difficulties is now emphasised and encouraged (Sure Start, 2002;Glascoe and Sturner, 2000). In spite of this increase in parental responsibility, little research has been undertaken to explore parents' understandings of their part in this process and to investigate their views on the risks and benefits of identification of children 'at risk' of language disorders.Within many fields of healthcare, increasing importance is being attached to ways in which patients and carers perceive the services and intervention received. Muir Gray (1999), in an examination of postmodernism in relation to medicine, called for attention to values as well as evidence and the need to take the views of consumers as well as clinicians into account. Kleinman (1988) and Nettleton (1996) also drew attention to the importance of considering lay accounts and beliefs, particularly with regard to chronic illnesses and disabling conditions. Both claimed that understanding of lay accounts and beliefs is critical to ensuring the effectiveness of health education and promotion programmes and interventions. Nettleton also stressed the importance of gaining knowledge of i...

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On Managing a Courtesy Stigma

Cited by 120 publications

References 3 publications

Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children

Perceptions of stigma: the parents of autistic children

Parenting children with Proteus syndrome: Experiences with, and adaptation to, courtesy stigma

Parental views of surveillance for early speech and language difficulties

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