NCJ Number
126784
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Ethnography Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 295-321
Date Published
1990
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Sherrard High School (IL) community reaction to Jeff Proctor, the first known student with AIDS to enroll in the school district, was exceptionally favorable.
Abstract
Proctor was a hemophiliac and encountered no violence or significant interpersonal difficulties, unlike in many other AIDS/schoolchildren cases, such as the Rays, who fought to have their three AIDS-infected hemophiliac sons admitted into grade school in Florida and had their home burned to the ground in 1987. In a study, data were gathered via four long letters to parents from the pastor of the private school that Proctor had attended; articles in four newspapers; copies of State and local infectious disease policies; educational materials; and letters of acclamation from the media, educators, and citizens. Questionnaires provided information as did a student investigator who made covert observations. The investigator heard fears about Proctor at every educational session, even from a teacher. Although fear was initially pervasive, the rest of the school year went by without incident. Sociologically, similar processes occur in AIDS/schoolchildren cases irrespective of the harshness or compassion from the community. First, the community reacts emotionally ranging from shock and fear to sympathy and support. Then physicians, lawyers, educators and other experts are consulted, and community meetings are held. Proctor's acceptance was facilitated by the fact that he had acquired HIV through a contaminated blood product and not through homosexual activity and was therefore regarded as an "innocent victim" both by peers and by policymakers. 2 tables and 21 references