Table of Contents

Children and the hiv/aids pandemic, children and hiv/aids-related stigma, methodology; definitions - defining stigma, layered stigma, defining 'children', should researchers focus on children orphaned by aids?, why we need to stop focusing on orphans, conclusion; the hiv/aids pandemic, stigma and children - understanding the key research areas, hypothesis 1 - hiv/aids-related stigma and discrimination exacerbates the negative effects of the pandemic on children, hypothesis 2 - hiv/aids-related stigma towards children is framed within different social discourses, hypothesis 3 - children stigmatise each other, hypothesis 4 - children experience stigma differently depending on their stage of emotional and cognitive development, conclusion; recommendations - recommendations for research, research questions, choosing appropriate research methods, recommendations for interventions, conclusion; conclusions - hypothesis 1 - hiv/aids-related stigma exacerbates the negative effects of the pandemic on children and their support systems, hypothesis 2 - hiv/aids-related stigma towards children is framed within different social discourses, hypothesis 3 - children stigmatise each other, hypothesis 4 - children experience hiv/aids-related stigma differently depending on their stage of emotional and cognitive development, what new research is needed?, what are the implications for interventions?, references.

About the Author

Harriet Deacon is an independent consultant to the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Inez Stephney is a former senior researcher in the social aspects of HIV/AIDS and health research program of the HSRC. She is currently a researcher for the portfolio committee on public works at the South African Parliament.