The Harmful Consequences of Living with HIV in Contemporary Society

Recent research conducted on the topic of risk has predominantly focused on the measurability of an event occurring in modern society. Although attempts are made to incorporate the theoretical examination of social dimensions in the study of risk, considerable diversity remains in defining the nature of risk. This paper employs Foucault (2008), Beck (1992), and Douglas (1992) to understand the class-based positioning that occurs to define the concept of risk and explores the effect of these understandings on the population. The inclusion of individual understandings of harm can assist in rendering invisible hazards, reduce contradictory understandings of risk in social systems, and direct social research beyond the measurability of ill events.Keywords: risk, risk society, political, harm