I really appreciate Erving Goffman’s idea that a sigma is
“the process by which the reaction of others spoils identity” because it takes
the burden of shame and disgrace and puts it on society, not the person with
the so-called stigma. Certain traits that have a stigma attached would not be considered
“wrong” or “bad” if it were not for the majority’s reaction. I think this is
yet another impact of the cycle of socialization.
When I was
younger I was made fun of for being shy, when in reality, what is wrong with
being shy? I had friends who were made fun of for their weight, for being
“awkward,” for their parents’ jobs… the list could go on and on. But there is
nothing wrong with any of the traits I just named.
There is
also nothing wrong with not conforming to the “typical” male stereotype either
(what is that, anyway?). I’ve seen the ideas in the “There’s Something
Absolutely Wrong with What We do to Boys Before They Turn into Men” video play
out strongly in the boys that I mentor. When their masculinity is in question,
they seek to prove themselves through violence, because, as the video said,
they equate violence with respect. I wish boys didn’t have to feel this way!
Just recently, I was listening to an episode of This American Life called
“Testosterone.” In the fourth part of the episode, a mom is asking her teenage
son questions she has about being male. She asks him if there’s anything he
envies about girls, and he answers that he wishes he were able to express his
feelings. Fortunately, I think that this is close to no longer being regarded
as shameful, as I have personally seen the stigma attached with men receiving
therapy and counseling fade away (at least for the men in my own life). Furthermore, in “11 ‘Girly’ Things Men Wish
They Could Do Without Judgment,” what stuck out to me most was not the list
itself, but the idea that men are afraid of doing these things because they do
not want to be called “gay”! Why is that an insult? This is another result of
stigma.
Speaking
of, I love, love, love LZ Ganderson’s utilization of humor when talking about
the “gay lifestyle.” I think that by getting the audience to laugh at
themselves, he is enabling people to realize that the idea that gays should not
have the same rights as other citizens is crazy, because, after all, “everyone
deserves love and respect.”
I think
that the “But Who Is Perfect?” video is an awesome example of empowerment. Yes,
it’s said that passersby would be “irritated” by this campaign, but it’s
incredible that the company recognized the need for these mannequins and is
willing to be an advocate and an ally to this community.
The “A Girl
Like Me” video reminded me of an awesome class I took called “Beyonce Feminism
Rihanna Womanism” (everyone, take it if you have the chance!). Our professor
talked a lot about there not being “room” for African American females in our
society, because they are either expected to be a “mammy” (think loving,
compassionate, cooking, motherly figure) or a “Jezebelle” (hypersexualized
woman). For me personally, taking this class was a way for me to be an ally to
this community, because it helped me recognize stereotypes I held, educated me
about the truth, and realize that joking about populations is just another form
of discrimination.
I love the idea of not being able
to rid our lives of stigmas for ourselves, but rather, doing it for each other.
I think that as social workers, it is our job to gather people together so that
stigmas can be unlearned.
References:
Granderson, LZ. (2012, May). LZ Ganderson: The myth of the gay agenda [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/lz_granderson_the_myth_of_the_gay_agenda#t-1052192
Pro Infirmis. (December, 2013). Because who is perfect [Video file]. Retrieved form https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8umFV69fNg
V
agianos, Alanna. (2014, January). 11 ‘girly’ things men wish they could do without judgment. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/26/gender-roles-men-reddit_n_4504083.html
Hi Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI love Goffman’s idea of stigma. The definition provided is simple but it perfectly sums up what stigma is. The shame that is put on an individual through stigma is often followed by guilt, even if one does not recognize the guilt right away. I really liked how you tied this into the impact of the cycle of socialization. We are socialized to play certain roles and that affects how we help maintain an oppressive system. A system that is based on power. It is extremely important to speak up against stigmas and take the power away from the oppressive hand. Stigmas arise due to differences and factors such as: fear, ignorance, confusion and insecurity (all part of the core of the cycle of socialization) aid in maintaining an oppressive system. Like the cycle suggests, we have to interrupt, educate and question stigmas.
Like you mentioned, I did not like the idea present in “11 ‘Girly’ Things Men Wish They Could Do Without Judgment” either. Being gay is not an insult and to treat it as a bad thing is absolutely wrong. It bothers me that one of the main reasons men think they cannot do the things listed on that article is because they do not want to be called gay.
Lastly, I am so jealous that you had the opportunity to take “Beyoncé Feminism, Rihanna Womanism.” I have heard so many great things about that course and I love that you shared how it has taught you to be an ally.