What is the medicalization of deviance?
The medicalization of deviance thus refers to the process whereby non-normative or morally condemned appearance (obesity, unattractiveness, shortness), belief (mental disorder, racism), and conduct (drinking, gambling, sexual practices) come under medical jurisdiction.
What are some examples of medicalization of deviance?
Medicalization has occurred for both deviant behavior and “natural life Page 5 MEDICALIZATION AND SOCIAL CONTROL 213 processes.” Examples of medicalized deviance include: madness, alcoholism, homosexuality, opiate addiction, hyperactivity and learning disabilities in children, eating problems from overeating (obesity) …
What is Medicalisation in sociology?
Medicalization can be defined as the process by which some aspects of human life come to be considered as medical problems, whereas before they were not considered pathological. In sociology, medicalization is not a “new” concept. He stressed the role of doctors in deciding what was normal and what was pathological.
What is the medicalization of social problems?
The medicalization of social problems refers to the process of applying medical definitions and descriptions to previously nonmedical issues. Studies have been criticized for overstating the consequences and scope of medicalization as well as the role of physicians in the process.
How might the medicalization of deviance benefit the individual?
Through defining certain deviant behaviors as deviant, medical institutions with juridical power are able to effectively control and “cure” those who fail to project the ideal qualities of the hegemonic norm. Alcoholism has been effectively medicalized and now is listed in the DSM as a medical illness.
How is deviance a product of society?
Similar to Durkheim’s theory of anomie, deviance is seen to result where feelings of disconnection from society predominate. Individuals who believe they are a part of society are less likely to commit crimes against it.
What is medicalisation in health and social care?
Medicalisation, the process by which moral, social or legal problems become medical issues, has been studied in social science for nearly half a century.
What is the medicalisation thesis?
The medicalization thesis, the re-labeling or redefining of a personal or social problem as a medical condition thus requiring therapeutic intervention, has become the focus of a number of recent works.
How has medicalisation been promoted?
Traditionally, medicalisation was conceived as a balance between patients and doctors, as the two principal players. However, new developments, like citizen empowerment, with ‘expert patients’, the Internet access and television discussions are enhancing the role of patients.
What is medicalisation thesis?
What are effects of medicalisation?
Effects on the Individual Medicalization may reduce social discrimination by emphasizing that some of the causes of obesity are outside individual control [8]. Inasmuch as discrimination on the basis of disease or disability is considered unacceptable, medicalization may advance the rights of the obese [5].
Are there any case studies of medicalization of deviance?
A number of “case studies” of the medicalization of deviance were pub- lished in the 1970s: Conrad (1975) on hyperactivity in children, Scull (1975) on mental illness, Pfohl (1977) on child abuse, and Schneider (1978) on alcoholism as a disease. Other studies analyzed changes from nonmedical to
When did Conrad and Schneider write deviance and medicalization?
Thus, by the time Conrad & Schneider (1980a) wrote Deviance and Medicalization: From Badness to Sickness, there was already a substantial literature to build upon. Medicalization and Definitions
What are the major issues of medicalization and social control?
This essay examines the major conceptual issues concerning medicalization and social control, emphasizing studies published on the topic since 1980. Several issues are considered: the emergence, definition, contexts, process, degree, range, consequences, critiques, and future of medicalization and demedicalization.
What are the key words in medical social control?
KEY WORDS: medical social control, medical profession, demedicalization, medical model, deviance Abstract This essay examines the major conceptual issues concerning medicalization and social control, emphasizing studies published on the topic since 1980. Several issues are considered: the emergence, definition, contexts, process,