Why is the concept of a stigma so critical to the concept of deviance?

To be considered as deviant, a person may not have to do anything. Sociologist Erving Goffman used theterm stigma to refer to attributes that discredit people. These are the "blemishes" that discredit a person'sclaim to a "normal" identity. Without the choice of a person these are the violations of norms of ability(maazoor i.e. handicapped due to blindness, deafness, mental disability), and norms of appearance (facialbirthmark, obesity). It can also be involuntary membership in groups such as relatives of criminals orvictims of AIDS. The stigma becomes a person's master status, defining him or her as deviant.

Are you referring to tectonic plates?

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