Explaining Medicalization
The sociology of health and illness analyzes how social problems that were previously considered non-medical in nature now fall within the province of medicine. This process, known as medicalization, describes how corrective measures in the nonmedical realm to solve social problems are now given over to modern medicine for diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze the impact of medicalization and offer an important commentary about the spread of this social trend in society today Instructions Write an 8-10 page paper (not including the title and reference pages) that addresses these five areas: Giving specific reference to our reading material for the week, define medicalization in sociological terms. Based upon your own, independent research, provide at least three examples of troubles that were considered to be a “normal” part of the human condition that are now diagnosed as specific illnesses. (For example, the experience of protracted sadness now defined as clinical depression.). Provide at least two scholarly references for this section. Based upon our reading and lesson content, explain three major ways in which medicalization has been able to flourish in modern society. Cite specific examples. Finally, offer a pro and con argument about whether or not you think medicalization has “gone too far” in society. For example, to what extent has society benefited from the medicalization of certain social troubles? What might be some key examples in which society has been harmed by “over-medicalization”? Conclude the paper with your own assessment about the future of medicalization. For example, is it going to further intensify in the future? Or, will we see people increasingly pushing back against medical authority? Ground your conclusion in specific examples.
