Compare And Contrast Sociological Explanations Of Health Inequalities And Illness
This essay will analyse the sociological explanation for health inequalities and illness experienced by the families in the case studies. there are many different sociological approaches to health and illness in society, but what is the meaning of "health"?
According to the world Health organisation 1946 (WHO) health is described as " a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Although all the factors of health have been taken under consideration by WHO as to what is "the highest attainable standard of health" it is still a matter of debate. This might depend on society, class, religious or cultural beliefs or even personal expectations of the individuals. Several studies have tried to explain the difference in health in relation to the social classes of individuals or a group of persons.
There is a range of …show more content…
Many of the key ideas of functionalism can be traced back to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917). According to this theory society is based on merit, and those who work the hardest will be the ones to make it to the top, ensuring jobs are filled by those most capable, with the required skills, which relates to Annabel and her family and kay is relates to bottom of the hierarchy for the socio class who carry menial jobs but equally essential and lack access to high quality healthcare. However, Talcott Parsons (1902–1979), an American sociologist, who developed functionalism theory in the middle of the 20th Century and described society as an organic analogy which is like a living being that adapts to its environments and is made up of component parts, each performing some action that helps the living being to continue to exist. Robert Merton (1938) however was critical of Parsons's belief and proposed two amendments to Parson's theory. Merton the analysis of society was much more complex than Parson’s simple
According to the world Health organisation 1946 (WHO) health is described as " a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Although all the factors of health have been taken under consideration by WHO as to what is "the highest attainable standard of health" it is still a matter of debate. This might depend on society, class, religious or cultural beliefs or even personal expectations of the individuals. Several studies have tried to explain the difference in health in relation to the social classes of individuals or a group of persons.
There is a range of …show more content…
Many of the key ideas of functionalism can be traced back to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917). According to this theory society is based on merit, and those who work the hardest will be the ones to make it to the top, ensuring jobs are filled by those most capable, with the required skills, which relates to Annabel and her family and kay is relates to bottom of the hierarchy for the socio class who carry menial jobs but equally essential and lack access to high quality healthcare. However, Talcott Parsons (1902–1979), an American sociologist, who developed functionalism theory in the middle of the 20th Century and described society as an organic analogy which is like a living being that adapts to its environments and is made up of component parts, each performing some action that helps the living being to continue to exist. Robert Merton (1938) however was critical of Parsons's belief and proposed two amendments to Parson's theory. Merton the analysis of society was much more complex than Parson’s simple