Functionalists argue that illness is a form of deviance that disturbs the social functioning of a society. They see ill-health as bad for society; Functionalists also argues that if an individual is ill they are part of the sick role in society. Parsons argued that with chronic illness people are expected to manage their illness so that they can carry on with normal social roles.
Marxism argue that medicine serves the interest of the powerful. Navarro sees medicine as promoting capitalism. It maintains a staff that is healthy enough to work, help capitalist make profits. Illness is defined as an inability to work. Similarly, Navarro accepts that there have been some health improvements under capitalism, but argues that the gap in health between rich and poor has increased.
In contrast to the previous two theories, feminist have based …show more content…
Also highlights the gender roles as being socially created as opposed to biologically strongminded.
Limiting abuse of the sick role by acting as a gate keeper. Legitimates absence from work for individuals.
Within medical sociology, this approach is effectively worried with the theme of the sick role, and the related issue of illness behaviour. Talcott Parsons, the important figure within this sociological tradition, acknowledged illness as a social phenomenon rather than as a purely physical condition.
Defining illness as an inability to work. In USSR, political opposition was defined as mental illness. Making health an individual rather than a social problem.
Ann Oakley (1974) argued that the main reason for the subordination of women in the labour market is the continuing dominance of the mother-housewife role for women
Shulamith Firestone (1972) sees women's oppression having biological origins, particularly the fact that they give birth. This creates a dependency on
Marxism argue that medicine serves the interest of the powerful. Navarro sees medicine as promoting capitalism. It maintains a staff that is healthy enough to work, help capitalist make profits. Illness is defined as an inability to work. Similarly, Navarro accepts that there have been some health improvements under capitalism, but argues that the gap in health between rich and poor has increased.
In contrast to the previous two theories, feminist have based …show more content…
Also highlights the gender roles as being socially created as opposed to biologically strongminded.
Limiting abuse of the sick role by acting as a gate keeper. Legitimates absence from work for individuals.
Within medical sociology, this approach is effectively worried with the theme of the sick role, and the related issue of illness behaviour. Talcott Parsons, the important figure within this sociological tradition, acknowledged illness as a social phenomenon rather than as a purely physical condition.
Defining illness as an inability to work. In USSR, political opposition was defined as mental illness. Making health an individual rather than a social problem.
Ann Oakley (1974) argued that the main reason for the subordination of women in the labour market is the continuing dominance of the mother-housewife role for women
Shulamith Firestone (1972) sees women's oppression having biological origins, particularly the fact that they give birth. This creates a dependency on