Stigma Spring 2022

 Goffman asserted that everyone just wants to be accepted as "normal." If that is the case, how would Goffman explain the desire to be a "freak?" Body Building Freaks! self Constructed Freaks Judging Self Made freaks Rachael Dolezal: Race Freak What makes a person choose NOT to be "normal"? How does someone choose their "freak"? What significance does this have for our reading of Goffman? How would Bogden explain this phenomenon?

  One of Us Anatomy Matters: It influences the assumptions people make on the basis of our anatomies It limits and effects what we can experience in any given context Anatomically based rules help to maintain order Anatomical Normalization Most of us go through minor normalization procedures every day- change body to fit the identity we want to present socially But some things cannot be normalized IMPOSITION of normalization on children by adult Form of pity Pity silences the receiver of it Child’s anatomy is changed to fit the social context (desired) Conjoined Twins and the notion of Individuality Trapped in such a way that makes a normal happy life impossible Usually they feel that they are perfectly normal Intentionally “sacrifice” one conjoined twin to save another What is the CULTURAL CONTEXT in which parents and doctors make these decisions about surgery Expose the SOCIALLY TENUOUS NATURE of all human anatomies and raise the question of who should count as NORMAL INTERSEXED ...