Social And Cultural Attitudes Essay

1000 Words4 Pages

ATTITUDE refers to our way of thinking, our set ways of behaviour and our personal opinions relating to specific issues such as HIV/AIDS. When applied to people living with HIV/AIDS it refers to how we perceive such individuals in terms of our personal thinking. We are all set in our ways. We have well defined thoughts and opinions established and developed over many years.

These attitudes or opinions stem from the values and morals that have been instilled in us from childhood. We have inherited many if not all from our parents, teachers and peers. Our attitudes were developed over a period. They stem from our upbringing. Attitudes are based on principles and are influenced by the environment we live and work in. Attitudes can be influenced by Personal, Religious, Cultural, Legal and Environmental factors.

What about HIV/AIDS - Have you formed personal opinions?
These …show more content…

The expectations relating to sexual practices within an ethnic or cultural group are important factors in HIV prevalence. Several cultural practices contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. These include male circumcision, rites of marriage, and indigenous healing practices.

GENDER ISSUES
Probably the most important factor driving the epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is the fact that women are powerless to protect themselves from infection. Most women exist in a society where men dominate, sometimes by force. This domination is encouraged by the women’s acceptance of their position in society. The result is that women are subject to all manner of abuse by men. Women are subject to neglect, rape, incest, domestic violence, child labour, prostitution, economic abuse and even slavery.
This attitude towards women is at the very centre of people’s lives in Africa and is seen in relationships with parents, children, siblings and lovers.

Open Document