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Updated March 02, For example, they could undergo plastic surgery, however they still risk being exposed as someone who was formerly
stigmatized. Physical stigma refers to physical deformities of the body, while stigma of group identity is a stigma that comes from being of a
particular race, nation, religion, etc. For instance, stigma and deviance can be functional and acceptable in society if it is within limits and
boundaries. He looks at the variety of strategies that stigmatized individuals use to deal with the rejection of others and the complex images of
themselves that they project to others. They can form or join self-help groups, clubs, national associations, or other groups to feel a sense of
belonging. Stigma symbols are similar. They also need to constantly be alert and always checking their houses or bodies for signs of stigmatization.
These stigmas are transmitted through lineages and contaminate all members of a family. In the first chapter of the book, Goffman identifies three
types of stigma: Skin color is a stigma symbol , as is a hearing aid, cane, shaved head, or wheelchair. Stigmatized individuals can also turn to other
stigmatized people or sympathetic others for support and coping. For example, a wedding ring is a symbol that shows others that someone is
married. Stigmatized people are those that do not have full social acceptance and are constantly striving to adjust their social identities: Goffman
discusses a number of responses that stigmatized people can take. It is a look into the world of people considered abnormal by society. What all
of these types of stigma have in common is that they each have the same sociological features: They might also produce their own conferences or
magazines to raise their morale. These covering attempts, however, can also be problematic. They can also make special efforts to compensate for
their stigma, such as drawing attention to another area of the body or to an impressive skill.