Words by Lisa Burns
Dr. Phil Hutchinson, Professor of Philosophy at MMU Cheshire, led a discussion on ‘Shame and Disclosure’ at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) last night. In the first real outing of his new paper, Hutchinson explored the links between the spread of STIs and HIV, and the socially ingrained sense of shame surrounding sexuality.
After writing his book Shame and Philosophy in 2008, Hutchinson said he was fascinated by the concept of shame in the context of modern moral philosophy, which focuses on actions. With a view to creating ‘a framework for understanding shame’, Hutchinson discussed the matter of late diagnoses of HIV. Although HIV is treatable, if diagnosed late it has different consequences. It makes the sufferer ten times more likely to die within a year of diagnosis; resulting in higher treatment costs, and unaware that they are carrying the virus, sufferers spread HIV further.
Late diagnoses currently comprise 50% of all HIV diagnoses in the UK. This shocking figure provided the context for Hutchinson to question why so many people are reluctant to attend sexual health examinations, and to be honest with clinicians and current partners. The answer, Hutchinson proposed, was a sense of shame. “Draconian attitudes towards STIs,” he stated, “draw on very fine-grained cultural specifics,” regarding sexual morality and honour. British culture often refers to STIs as ‘dirty’, and if given the all-clear upon examination, one may claim to be ‘clean’. These labels, Hutchinson argued, are part of a cultural narrative that stigmatises those who contract STIs and HIV. The aim of his study of shame was to, ‘rationally reconstruct the cycle – bringing to consciousness the source of the shame makes it available to rational scrutiny.’
Perhaps the most surprising finding of Hutchinson’s study was that many clinicians themselves feel shame, which prevents them from offering HIV tests to patients. Often this is due to cultural beliefs, such as ‘it is not appropriate for a young clinician to ask a 60-year-old if they need a HIV test’, or a misplaced desire to avoid offence to those of other religions or ethnicities. Hutchinson noted that intercultural relations between clinicians and patients were beset by embarrassment and misunderstanding. “The onus relies on the clinician taking the lead.” If the medical professional feels shame when asking a patient about their sexual habits, then it follows that the patient is not at ease to be candid.
The lecture certainly presented challenges towards current British societal attitudes and preconceptions regarding sexuality, shame, and sexual health. Hutchinson’s study brings to light the fact that shame, in the context of STIs and HIV, is hindering the progress of prevention and cure. “If we reduce the role shame plays, we will reduce the number of late diagnoses.” Cultural stigmatisation of sexuality and sexual infection prompts people to avoid testing, lie about their real sexual habits, and thereby block progress in finding cures for STIs.
And that is where the real shame lies.
Lisa Burns studies History and English at MMU. When she’s not got her nose in a book, she loves having adventures in the great outdoors! Follow her on Twitter: @LittleRobin09
Featured image: Molly Goble and Nicola Henry In the last five years, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have risen by 112%, underscoring the critical need for safe, inclusive spaces where queer individuals can find a sense of belonging. Amid this crisis, Queer Lit has emerged as a sanctuary in the form of a literary refuge…
By Evie-Iris Atkins and Megan Levick. Featured image: UNITOM. As part of our new series In Print: Celebrating Print Culture in Manchester, we speak to UNITOM head publishing buyer Tim Bell. “Celebrating the worlds of visual culture” is what Northern Quarter magazine and bookshop UNITOM does best, says head publishing buyer Tim Bell. With an…
Featured image: Ruby Sharp Good food has the power to bring people together, and in Manchester, this couldn’t be more true. We explore how family-run restaurants are going above and beyond for their community. Since opening in 2019, Fress, located in the Northern Quarter, has made a name for itself not just for its food,…
Featured image and gallery: Gracie Hall Gorilla gets its brains rocked out by Lambrini Girls. The Brighton-based punk duo who are touring their debut album, Who Let The Dogs Out, blend riot grrrl and neurodivergent humour to form a chaotic but inclusive evening. With Phoebe Lunny on vocals and guitar, Lilly Macieira-Boşgelmez on bass and…
Leave a reply