Research Indicates That Social Stigma and Feelings of Shame Play

question 53

Essay

Research indicates that social stigma and feelings of shame play an important part in whether a person fully discloses his or her sexual health status to potential partners.What broad social changes could be made to reduce the widespread embarrassment, discomfort, and secrecy associated with sexual matters in the United States? Which social institutions - the media, clinics, religious organizations, schools, families - do you think should play a greater role in promoting honesty and openness about sexuality?

---

Definitions:

Developmental Mechanisms

Biological and environmental processes that guide growth and development in organisms from conception to maturity.

Ultimate Question

In evolutionary biology, a term referring to the inquiry into the evolutionary reasons or purposes behind the existence of a trait or behavior.

Adaptive Value

The extent to which a trait, behavior, or characteristic increases the survival and reproductive success of an organism in its environment.

Mechanistic Causes

Explanations based on the physical and biochemical processes underlying phenomena, often used in scientific contexts to understand biological functions.