Incorporating Scheff's Theory of Labeling - Essay Example

?Incorporating Scheff's Theory of Labeling: The role of attitudes and values in illness The aspect of health remains an important issue in different countries. Governments struggle to ensure that their citizens have access to health care, in a bid to ensure their good health. Poor health results in illnesses. Nonetheless, health Lauer and Lauer consider health care and illnesses as social problems (378). This is mainly because; the cause of illnesses and most issues in health care can be traced to major social factors. A good example is the case whereby, because of financial instability of a family, they fail to afford healthy food, and other essential needs, which forces them to live in unhealthy condition that can cause illnesses or other health issues. Nonetheless, this essay focuses on illnesses and the role of values and attitudes in illnesses, with reference to the labeling theory of Scheff. Lauer and Lauer consider the term illness to include two major categories. These include the physical illnesses and the mental illnesses (378). According to Lauer and Lauer, physical illnesses mainly affect the physical body of an individual. For this reason therefore, physical illnesses might include illnesses such as malaria, AIDS, typhoid, diabetes, and the overall respiratory and viral infections experienced by people. On the other hand, mental illnesses, which are also referred to as mental disorders, are “problems that are deeply rooted in an individual, and have organic basis” (384). By using the word disorder instead of illness, this shows that the cause of mental illnesses can be traced to social aspects, and the resolution of mental illness too can be done through the social avenues. Therefore, this view of Lauer and Lauer, if analyzed or evaluated, might lead to the conclusion that, the difference between mental and physical illness is that, while physical illnesses are caused by the biological factors and affect an individual’s biology, mental illnesses on the other hand are caused by social factors, and mainly affect an individual’s psychology. Nonetheless, Lauer and Lauer have divided mental illnesses into three different categories. These include neurosis, psychosomatic, and psychosis (384). An individual that suffers from psychosis is characterized by the inability to differentiate internal and external stimuli, as the thinking perceptions of the individual are not in order. On the other hand, neurosis involves severe symptoms, which are capable of impairing the functioning of the affected individual. Psychosomatic disorders are however considered to be connected to the physiology of an individual. These result when an individual’s physiological functioning is impaired because of the emotional state of the individual (384). Lauer and Lauer argue that people have different values and attitudes with regard to illnesses. Nonetheless, the values and attitudes of people highly influence interpersonal relationships (388). In America, most people do not wish illnesses to interrupt their routine, even though they all are aware of the inevitability of illnesses. Furthermore, most people in society stigmatize life-threatening illnesses such as AIDS, and different types of mental illnesses. Family members will therefore, be afraid of being associated, or identifying with their relatives, who are victims of illnesses that carry a social stigma. Additionally, such individuals might receive inadequate medical care (389). Nonetheless, stigma, which is a result of negative attitudes toward illnesses, has adverse effects of the ill person, and only leads to a slow process of recovery of the individual. There are different perspectives about mental illnesses today, and what mental illnesses encompass. Different documentaries have delved into this issue, and came up with different insights into the causes of mental illnesses, and ways through which attitudes and values influence illness. For instance, a 2006 HBO documentary titled “Thin,” addresses the issue of Anorexia Nervosa and Anorexia Bulimia. These are the two most common forms of eating disorder, which are popular among most women, especially the teenage girls. Eating disorder is a growing problem today, as most women want to have the ideal body image, which the pop culture has cultured people to believe that, thin is the ideal body image. This documentary proves the existence of this problem, as it focuses on four women, who are struggling to recover from their eating disorders (Health Diet Web). According to the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, physical, social, and psychological aspects characterize eating disorders (7). Therefore, eating disorders qualify as a form of mental illnesses, as these might lead to the distortion in an individual’s thoughts and emotions. In most cases of eating disorders, the affected individuals always experience negative emotions and thoughts about their body image, leading to low self-esteem and low self-worth. Nonetheless, the values and attitudes in society, which have made people believe that thin is the ideal body image for women, is a major cause of anorexia nervosa and bulimia in society. Another documentary titled “Way beyond Weight,” focuses on the issue of child obesity. The present rates of child obesity in the world are stunningly high, and the affected children experience similar effects, as those of adults suffering from obesity. From the different interviews conducted, it turns out that parents are responsible for obesity in children. Although most blame the high prices of healthy food, and the convenience of processed food, it remains the role of parents to ensure healthy eating for their children (Maria Frinha Filmes Web). According to NHS, there is a close relationship between obesity and mental health disorders (4). Similarly, Children’s Health Policy Center links child obesity to both mental and physical illnesses. This argues that child obesity makes the child to suffer both emotionally and socially. Obese children are mostly not accepted socially, and these might become depressed or develop self-esteem problems, as well as poor perceptions of themselves (3). Additionally, obese children are considered lazy, untidy, slow, and mean, even though this is not the case for all obese children. Nonetheless, the stigmatization and stereotyping of child obesity in society has implications that are more adverse on the affected individuals. Governments and other authorities in a country have the capability of helping to reduce the number of people that are affected by different types of illnesses, including physical and mental illnesses. This is through the action of regulatory bodies and public policy. However, considering the high number of unhealthy people today, it is clear that either the efforts of the government to promote the health of its citizens have failed, or the governments are putting in less effort to promote health. A documentary titled “War on Health” offers important insights into the role of the government and other regulatory bodies in promoting health in the United States. The FDA, which is the body charged with the regulation of drugs and food in the country, has failed to perform its purposed role. From the documentary, it is clear that this body in some ways does not develop policies that will promote health. For instance, banning of drugs and supplements from natural extracts, as well as opposition to organic gardening are a proof that the FDA does not serve the interests of the citizens (Global Research TV Web). Nonetheless, such policies, which lack values, lead to increased levels of health problems and illnesses. The theory of labeling by Thomas Scheff mainly focuses on mental illnesses. In this theory, Scheff is opposed to the different labeling and the popular beliefs of people about mental illnesses in society. Scheff however, proposes a new model of perceiving mental illness. Scheff’s model is drawn from the sociological background, unlike the accepted model today, which is drawn from the background of medicine. In the medical model, mental illness is considered to occur because of the violation of rules and norm. Therefore, mental illnesses are diagnosed today, and this leads to labeling, which distorts an individual’s self-concept (Pasman 124). Labeling of mental illnesses serves as a self-fulfilling prophecy. When an individual is perceived as being mentally ill instead of suffering mental illness, the stigma that the individual experiences makes him or her to become mentally ill, because of the different adverse effects that stigmatization carries. Stigma influences an individual’s self-efficacy and self-concept. Nonetheless, Scheff argued that stigma emanates from the cultural stereotypes people hold about other individuals with a specific illness. Nonetheless, the stereotypes spread through the media, including cartoons and jokes. Therefore, the internalization of these stereotypes will make one to consider himself or herself mentally ill, whenever he or she exhibits some of the symptoms of a mentally ill person that are propagated in the media. Therefore, overall, labeling leads to non-coping responses from the individuals suffering from an illness (Pasman 124-5). Personally, I concur with the opinion of Scheff in his theory. In the world today, there is a lot of labeling that is happening. People are known to be quick to rush into judgment and assumptions concerning various kinds of behavior, which an individual might have no control over. For instance, when one gives wrong answers to questions, they are considered ignorant, and people will label one crazy, if he or she experiences delusions. For instance, girls that have big body size suffer low self-esteem, since the society considers fat unattractive. Since girls have already internalized this stereotype, they do not need someone to tell them that they are unattractive, but are already aware of that. Therefore, society plays a big role on illnesses through the attitudes and values of people. Labeling therefore, has negative effects on the victims. Most importantly, the affected people will feel embarrassed, rejected, and this will also influence their social relationships in a negative manner. In this case, this results in emotional, psychological, as well as physical suffering of an individual. I have witnessed stereotyping in society today. People have different preconceived ideas about other specific people, including individuals and groups, basing on their different conditions or status. For instance, it has been a common thing in America, and some other parts of the world, for employers to avoid employing oversized people. This is because there is an assumption that fat people are lazy and slow. Although this should not apply to all fat people, all fat people continue to be considered lazy. This belief by people might therefore, drive a fat person into an eating disorder, mainly extreme dieting or fasting, in order to lose weight, and be accepted by society. In conclusion, health and illnesses are major factors, which have major implications to an individual, and to a country, as a whole. Illnesses today have been categorized to include physical and mental illnesses. Additionally, different approaches are used as interventions for illnesses. Nonetheless, values and attitudes in society have an effect on illness and the affected individuals. Using Scheff’s theory of labeling, it is clear that today, people have developed varying attitudes toward different diseases. Most importantly is the aspect of stigma and self-stigma. This attitude results in adverse effects on an individual with the illness. People suffering from mental illnesses, as well as other illnesses such as AIDS experience stigma in society, and this worsens their health situation. Therefore, to address this issue, it is important for people to perceive mental illnesses from the social point of view, and use this as a foundation intervention. Works Cited Children’s Health Policy Center. “The Mental Implications of Childhood Obesity.” 4(1): 1-20, Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://www.childhealthpolicy.sfu.ca/research_quarterly_08/rq-pdf/RQ-1-10-Winter.pdf> Global Research TV. “War on Health: The FDA’s Cult of Tyranny.” n.d, Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://tv.globalresearch.ca/2012/07/war-health-fdas-cult-tyranny> Health Diet. “THIN - Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia Documentary.” YouTube. 2013, Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5N7L6kHkIo> Lauer, Robert and Lauer, Janet. “Social Problems and the Quality of Life” (12th Ed), New York: McGraw-Hill. Maria Frinha Filmes. “Way Beyond Weight - Official Version.” YouTube. 2013, Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8N65getIYI> National Collaboration Center for Mental Health. “Eating Disorders.” 2004. Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG9FullGuideline.pdf> NHS. “Obesity and Mental Health.” n.d, Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://www.noo.org.uk/uploads/doc/vid_10266_Obesity%20and%20mental%20health_FINAL_070311_MG.pdf> Pasman, Joelle. “The Consequences of Labeling Mental Illnesses on the Self-concept: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions.” Social Cosmos. n.d. Web. Viewed 19 July 2013 < http://socialcosmos.library.uu.nl/index.php/sc/article/viewFile/27/23> Read More