Firstly, social stigma can be described as a deeply discrediting, disapproving or even discriminating attitude against a person based on perceivable social characteristics, that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society (Frost, 20, p.3). Social stigma has many faces that cause drastic and unpredictable effects. Suicide is a main effect, as it is seen as a negative solution. When people are stigmatized, they feel devalued and worthless. Therefore, they lose the will to live and attempt to or commit suicide. When people commit suicide, they are usually blamed for it. Yet, nobody thinks about investigating the layout of the victims environment. Less often do people investigate what contributions the family, friends and society have done to cause such a devastating life decision. Carney and Merrell (200, p.364-382) comment that, Society commonly uses the person blame approach system whereby an individual is blamed for their own downfall. Society fails to look at it from the perspective of the victim and what exactly drove them to do it. A superb example are university students. The work load assigned to students crushes them into depression and stress. Bullying adds to the pile of concerns. The victims do not talk about it due to the fear of embarrassment. Bullies would deny the accusations due to fear of expulsion. Many students lose understanding of their courses and seek help from their fellow classmates. Instead of receiving motivating advice from their friends, students are scolded for choosing a course they do not understand. Evidence suggests that, women are three times more likely to attempt suicide and experience stigma than men (Weiten, 20, p.590). Studies have shown that people who are stigmatized or bullied have higher cha
nces of developing an aggressive behavior.
Secondly, physical deformities, which include extremes of height, weight, albinism and facial disfigurement (Biernat and Dovidio, 2000, p.88-25), are also factors of appearance, that people are judged upon and judge with. At universities, it is common to view physically thin people as beautiful and popular, whilst fat people are outcasts and victims of bullying. Some victims might turn to drastic measures to become part of the group and no longer be easily targeted victims. This is where eating disorders surface among students. In this case, you are discouraged to be who you want to be and it also becomes difficult to present yourself as an individual and gain confidence. Social stigma may be a cause of depression, which leads to lower marks and may result in a student not graduating. At university, when students constantly stigmatize against one another, they tend to fall into depression, which is described as the persistent feeling of sadness and despair and a loss of interest in previous sources of pleasure (Weiten, 20, p.587). Depression has many negative impacts on a persons health. Students at university tend to feel like complete outsiders when they are in the presence of their peers. This causes them to behave and act in ways, that are completely different from the way they normally act, just to gain approval. Thus, causing them to feel alone and isolated. Therefore, the self-fulfilling prophecy is activated and students start to believe all the discriminating things, said about them. They also start to feel, believe and act as expected by the society. According to psychology examples, when a child is constantly told their smart, they tend to believe it and behave accordingly (Weiten, 20, p.534).