HNC Healthcare sociology in healthcare - Essay Example

?This essay will utilize two specific sociological theories as a means of drawing inference upon health issues and problems that are currently exhibited within contemporary society. As such, the two theories which will be discussed are that those of conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. I hope to examine the issue of contemporary health problems through the prism of a unique and diverse sociological interpretation that will consider the impacts that these particular theories have with relation to obesity and the means by which society and the individual integrates an understanding and health concern/appreciation for such a determinant. Firstly, with regards to conflict theory, which is founded on control and oppression, people who are in control will do everything they can to maintain that power. Conflict theorists feel obesity in the lower class is a result of deprived living circumstances, bad quality meals and nonexistence of proper schooling; all of this the direct result of the level and extent to which those in power allocate resources and emphasize importance of such an issue. Not knowing the quality of the food or knowing that this may be the only meal you have for a long time could result in obesity due to the fact that the individual will attempt to eat as much as they possibly can at any particular time; preparing for want and possible hardship in the future (Tsang, 2012). The conflict theory emphasizes that people who are high up in society will cater for themselves with no regards or concerns for the lower class. The conflict theory also suggests that obese people in society struggle with socialization, keeping good health to work, thus resulting in death at a young age (Colakkadioglu & Gucray, 2012). Naturally, this breakdown between classes is a defining aspect of how health care takes place within the lives of the patients. For instance, if a person is diagnosed as obese and is made aware that the life altering reality will require them to expend valuable time, energy, and resources on maintaining their health to a better degree than they have ever done before will most certainly be impacted upon by the given class that the individual falls into (Brownsword, 2006). Accordingly, this is one of the most helpful sociological theories in helping to explain the how and why there are key differentials between different people with respect to how they engage in an appreciation and maintenance for their own health care needs. Breaking this down to either level, one can come to understand that an individual that can consider themselves firmly within the upper-class will have access to exceptional means of transportation, environmentally sound accommodations, and more than likely high level of education (Gallo, 2013). The lower class do not have any of the upper class advantages, but instead, their lives are oftentimes defined by want, hardship, and lack of access to the very goods and services that individuals within the middle and upper-class take for granted. The conflict theory emphasizes it is necessary to realize first and foremost that key differentials exist with regard to the approach and means by which societal shareholders are able to portray their individual needs (Cuhader & Dayton, 2011). Similarly, symbolic interactions’ elementary principles are definitive of the individual’s capacity to shape their thoughts with social interactions. Individuals can adjust and change implications and values when interacting with others and finally, socialization is learned through symbols and meanings (Ritzer, 2004). From a standpoint of data analysis, it is without question that obesity in adults has enlarged since the 1990s. As such, obesity is associated with a large number of health issues, up to and including the following: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol. “The resulting NHS costs attributable to overweight and obesity are projected to reach ?9.7 billion by 2050” (National Obesity Observatory, 2010). With statistics like these, it is very important for the NHS and the government to bring out more obesity awareness. Genetic illnesses, bad diet and lifestyle, society, socialization, media, peer groups, finance, quality of food, the amount consumed and the amount of physical activity are some of the obesity contributing factors. As such, symbolic interaction feels that society views obese people as being unattractive and this particular bias leads in part to the unhealthy lifestyle that they oftentimes lead. The society we live in shapes us to believe that the media brainwashes us to think and feel that slimmer people are more attractive. The ‘Fat Movement’ campaign which came around in the 1960’s emphasized that obese people are more prone to discrimination because of their appearance and size. Society and socialization are sculpted, therefore so are our ways of how we view obesity (Dolfsma & McMaster, 2011). Symbolic interactionism is a theory which believes that everything we learn is through society’s symbols. Our actions towards an obese person are like signals, which according to symbolic interactions portray our judgments; thus leading to the person relying on food as a way of emotional comfort and repression. Naturally the components of health and society that have thus far been analyzed are only inclusive of obesity and the means by which certain individuals of under-privileged backgrounds integrate with an understanding of their own health and the need to integrate with it on an aggressive and proactive basis. However, the fact of the matter is that both of these theories which have been listed impact heavily upon both the evidence and extent that obesity is witnessed within society, as well as the many sociological interpretations that stakeholders within society exhibit based upon such a reality (Franks, 2013). Further, what these two specific theories have been able to engage with a greater understanding of how health issues, socio-economic interpretations/factors, as well as cultural and lifestyle approaches that differentiate the means by which both conflict theory and symbolic interactions theory have in defining the overall level and extent to which stakeholders within society will approach issues related to these (Evans, 2012). In short, although obesity is merely one health concern that has been analyzed via the prism of conflict theory and symbolic interaction theory, it should be understood that any of a great number of health issues could also readily be understood within this same context of understanding. Accordingly, it should not be understood that these theoretical approaches which a been discussed necessarily define the topic at hand in a full and complete manner. Due to the fact that there exists a litany of sociological interpretations and theories, it is without a doubt that even the length of a book would be insufficient to categorize them in a single and appreciative manner. However, from the information which is been gleaned and derived within this analysis, it is clear to understand that sociological theories impact upon individual choice patterns in a profound manner. Moreover, the level to which a systemic understanding of reality is generated by each of these theories ultimately belies the fact that they are in fact non-individualist theories in nature. What is meant by this is of course the fact that regardless of the scope of the theories that have been presented, the final deduction that is utilized by the individual who engages with them necessarily brings these theories and line with a personal interpretation. As such, the personal interpretation almost invariably differentiates the theory into an individualist’s framework. References Brownsword, R 2006, 'Public health, private right, and the common law', Public Health (Elsevier), 120, pp. 42-50, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Colakkadioglu, O, & Gucray, S 2012, 'The Effect of Conflict Theory Based Decision-Making Skill Training Psycho-Educational Group Experience on Decision Making Styles of Adolescents', Educational Sciences: Theory And Practice, 12, 2, pp. 669-676, ERIC, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Cuhadar, E, & Dayton, B 2011, 'The Social Psychology of Identity and Inter-group Conflict: From Theory to Practice', International Studies Perspectives, 12, 3, pp. 273-293, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Dolfsma, W, & McMaster, R 2011, 'Policy Conflicts: Market-Oriented Reform in Health Care', Journal Of Economic Issues (M.E. Sharpe Inc.), 45, 2, pp. 309-316, Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Evans, S 2012, 'Virtual Selves, Real Relationships: An Exploration of the Context and Role for Social Interactions in the Emergence of Self in Virtual Environments', Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 46, 4, pp. 512-528, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 May 2013. Franks, DD 2013, 'Relationships between neurosociology, foundational social behaviorism, and currents in symbolic interaction', Handbook of neurosociology pp. 139-148 New York, NY US: Springer Science + Business Media PsycINFO, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 May 2013. Gallo, G 2013, 'Conflict Theory, Complexity and Systems Approach Conflict Theory, Complexity and Systems Approach', Systems Research & Behavioral Science, 30, 2, pp. 156-175, Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Tsang, K 2012, 'Emotion Management of Teaching: Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism', New Horizons In Education, 60, 2, pp. 83-94, ERIC, EBSCOhost, viewed 23 May 2013. Read More