Stigmatization and Marginalization: A Comparison of Various Stigmatized Groups in India

Abstract

The paper reports comparative results of six stigmatized groups' perceptions of marginalization, exclusion, ritualistic inclusion, and dehumanization (i.e. humiliation, atrocity, and exploitation). A total of 328 participants belonging to 6 different stigmatized groups rated their experiences on questionnaires developed to measure perceived economic condition and stigmatization experiences tapped through perceived exclusion-ritualistic inclusion, dehumanization, personal and social identity. Along with these, attribution, coping, self-esteem and health were also measured. The findings revealed that all the stigmatized groups significantly differed on various dimensions i.e. stigmatization, exclusion, ritualistic inclusion and dehumanization, self- esteem, identity, and health. The transgender and beggars are among the most stigmatized and vulnerable. The perceived economic condition of beggars, downtrodden, and transgender was the lowest compared to other groups in the study and they also reported poor psychological and physical health. It was observed that both the transgenders and beggars perceived higher levels of ritualistic inclusion; however, they also reported significantly higher experiences of dehumanization. The downtrodden group is among the most economically oppressed where the perceived poverty is the highest, they report greater atrocities, their psychological health and physical health condition is also inadequate. Other groups like the differently-abled (previously termed disabled) and widowed women perceived their economic condition as stable and also reported fewer issues of physical and psychological health in comparison to other groups. Their perceptions of exclusion were comparable to the downtrodden and differently-abled, with lowest mean values for ritualistic inclusion. With respect to the dimensions of dehumanization, the disabled, leprosy patients, and widows perceived the least humiliation, atrocity and exploitation. Individually each group presents unique variations. The study highlights the issue of stigmatization and its implications for health and well-being.