What is Stigma? In sociological terms...?

Question

I do know what it is but I am having difficulties putting it into words. I just need a paragraph defining it. Thankyou!

Answer 1

In sociological theory, a stigma is an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way: it causes an individual to be mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one.

for more :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigma_(Soc...

Answer 2

I am a beautiful, intelligent, well educated woman, with full hips, an ample bosom, and succulent lips, hair that cascades to my shoulders, and legs so long as to provoke jealous looks from other women.  Thus, I now understand my adult image has become a stigma, rather than a blessing.

Answer 3

A stigma is kind of like a stereotype or some sort of negative connotation about a certain thing or place.  

Answer 4

It is a social dynamic based on  hegemony where the ruling forces define social reality and create outsiders to form a cohesive central norm.

Over time stigmatised groups campaign to become part of the central group and are gradually accepted.

The process of stigmatised groups mirror family dynamics where one child is chosen as a scapegoat to keep the family stable the chosen one is usually the strongest and most capable of bearing the role.