Social stigma is the severe social disapproval of personal characteristics or beliefs that are

perceived to be against cultural norms.

Stigma is a Greek word that in its origins referred to a kind of tattoo mark that was cut or burned
into the skin of criminals, slaves, or traitors in order to visibly identify them as blemished or
morally polluted persons. These individuals were to be avoided or shunned, particularly in public
places (Healthline Network Inc., 2007).

Modern American usage of the words "stigma" and "stigmatization" refers to an invisible sign of
disapproval which permits "insiders" to draw a line around the "outsiders" in order to demarcate
the limits of inclusion in any group. The demarcation permits "insiders to know who is "in" and
who is "out" and allows the group to maintain its solidarity by demonstrating what happen to
those who deviate from accepted norms of conduct (Falk, 2001). Stigmatization is an issue of
disempowerment and social injustice (Scheyett, 2005).

Discrimination is a sociological term referring to the treatment taken toward or against a person of a
certain group in consideration based solely on class or category. Discrimination is the actual behavior
towards another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that
are available to other groups.[1]

Introduction to sociology. 7th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc, 2009. page 324. Print.

Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning "equal") has two distinct
definitions in modern English.] It is defined either as a political doctrine that holds that all people
should be treated as equals and have the same political, economic, social, and civil rights or as a
social philosophy advocating the removal of economic inequalities among people.

In modern cultures, people tend to be divided into upper and lower classes. However, for the
approximately two hundred thousand years before the agricultural revolution, humanity existed
in hunter-gatherer which were largely egalitarian. It is considered by some to be the natural state
of society.[3][4][5]

Social inequality has been suggested to be the cause of many social problems. A comprehensive
study of major world economies revealed a correlation between social inequality and problems
such as homicide, infant mortality, obesity, teenage pregnancies, emotional depression and
prison population.[6]

Egalitarianism is a subject of concern politically, philosophically, and religiously.

3.John Gowdy (1998). Limited Wants, Unlimited Means: A reader on Hunter-Gatherer Economics and the Environment. St Louis:
Island Press. pp. 342. ISBN 155963555X.4. Dahlberg, Frances. (1975). Woman the Gatherer. London: Yale university press. ISBN 0-
30-02989-6. 5.http://books.google.com/books?
id=eTPULzP1MZAC&pg=PA120&dq=Gathering+and+Hominid+Adaptation&sig=f2ulfIDfAvoqEcolNjz6MTIrM84#PPA126,M1.Er
dal, D. & Whiten, A. (1996) "Egalitarianism and Machiavellian Intelligence in Human Evolution" in Mellars, P. & Gibson, K. (eds)
Modelling the Early Human Mind. Cambridge MacDonald Monograph Series 6.aInequality: The Mother of All
Evils?"http://image.guardian.uk

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS

1) Do you think we are conditioned by advertising to think what is
beautiful and what is not?
2) Which traits are stigmatized in Korea?
3) Would you consider having cosmetic surgery?
4) Do you think cosmetic surgery is more popular with women or men?
5) What do you think are the dangers of cosmetic surgery?
6) What parts of your face / body would you like to change?
7) As more and more Koreans are becoming overweight, do you think it
will become a cultural norm?
8) Why is cosmetic surgery so popular in some countries but not at all in
others?
9) What do you think of people who have cosmetic surgery?
10) Do you think there should be an age limit for people to have cosmetic
surgery?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS

1) Would you have cosmetic surgery if it was free?

2) What would you think if one of your parents came home with a new
face / body?
3) Do you think cosmetic surgery should be banned for children?
4) Who would you like to look like?
5) Do you think people who have cosmetic surgery are always happy with
the results?
6) What advice would you give to a friend who wants cosmetic surgery?
7) Does cosmetic surgery always make people look better?
8) Is cosmetic surgery playing with the way God made us?
9) Do you know anyone who has had cosmetic surgery?
10) Is the beauty industry immoral / ethical?