Stigma, Women’s Health, and Reproduction

This course investigates the history of stigmatized diseases and conditions that predominantly affect—or are most commonly associated with—women. We examine the stigma around hysteria, breast cancer, menopause, abortion, obesity, and depression, among other diseases and conditions. A central goal is to understand the stigmatization of disease, its intersections with sexism, and its effects in diverse historical and cultural contexts. The course evaluates the impact of stigmatization on individuals, health disparities, and outcomes, as well as historical and contemporary attempts to destigmatize illnesses that are subject to discrimination, prejudice, and isolation. We center our attention on structural forces that promote stigma and how they may be modified over time.