Association of Health and Illness and Disability with Neo-Marxist Perspective - Coursework Example

Association of Health, Illness and Disability with Neo-Marxist Perspective Module Module ID: date: Abstract: The present paper aims to explore the health, illness and disability as social phenomena in the light of Neo-Marxist sociological perspective. One of the most essential reasons behind carrying out the research on the above-described topic includes the significance of health and fitness in human life on the one side, and universality of the issues related to illness and diseases on the other. In addition, another important motive behind studying the health and illness phenomena under Neo-Marxist perspective includes the imperative implication of the afore-stated theory with regard to elaborating the existence of unequal distribution of income, resources and opportunities in almost all societies, as well as exploitation of haves-not at the hands of haves that is likely to result into the deterioration of the life standard, income level and health condition of the stratum being exploited by the powerful classes and groups of society (Ritzer 2007, 43). Hence, the topic not only maintains striking sociological significance in its nature and scope, but also has direct association with Neo-Marxist perspective. Introduction: It has frequently been stated that health and fitness enjoy central place in the individual and collective life of the individuals belonging to different groups, societies, cultures and civilisations of the world at large (Proeschold et al 2009, 51).The statistics reveal that billions of dollars are spent every year on the issues related to the mental and physical well-being of the individuals just in the USA (May 1988, 2). Hence, it is highly mandatory for the states and governments all over the globe to take all necessary steps and measures for assuring the maintenance of the health of their masses (Swartz 2009, 69). Moreover, the universality of health and fitness appears to be effective partly because of the challenges the individuals and societies are found to be undergoing in the form of the increase of epidemics, diseases and disabilities, which not only create certain impediment on the way to one’s performing different domestic and professional tasks and responsibilities in an adequate and effective manner, but also health problems may turn the individual suffering from some illness or disability to be dependent on others in financial, social and personal matters. Consequently, illness forces the humans to lead a life that neither could be declared to be standardised one, nor it could be witnessed to be admirable in respect of remaining respectable and independent identical with the healthy and vigorous members of society in general (Muntaner & Lynch 1999, 60). In other terms, the individuals, facing health issues in the form of mental or physical disability, seem to be having the life-style appears to be somewhat inferior in nature to the healthy members of society to a great extent. It is therefore, the health issue has obtained profound attention of the thinkers, healthcare specialists and political authorities as well in the wake of unabated and constant rise in the proportion of the ill persons because of the exploration of various fatal and serious diseases including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and arthritis etc. All these diseases not only have inflicted a throbbing blow to the mental and physical fitness of the individuals, but have also caused the ruination of their abilities, performance and activities related to daily routine work (Proeschold-Bell & LeGrand 2012, 5). As a result, the researchers and medical experts are found to be equally concerned with regards to uncovering the reasons behind the fast spread of diseases and disabilities on the one side, and methods to escape these problems eclipsing the activities to be carried out by the individuals on the other. Before embarking upon further discussion, it would be advisable to elaborate Neo-Marxist perspective, which has been elucidated in the following: Neo-Marxism: Attributed to distinguished nineteenth century philosopher and Father of Socialism Karl Marx (1818-83), the notion Marxism defines the existence of social stratification in all cultures and civilisations of the globe without discrimination since the establishment of first human society on the face of the earth (Turner 1978, 159). The perspective vehemently censures and condemns the injustices and inequalities prevalent in societies because of the denial of the rights and privileges to be granted to all individuals belonging to a social establishment. Eventually, the unjust social arrangements do not allow all individuals the equal and just opportunities of growth and development due to high magnitude of stratification (Marx 2011, 541). Such a perturbed state of affairs not only leads to the widening of the gulf of differences and hatred between the powerful and weaker strata, but also lays the foundations of the creation of anarchy, chaos and serous conflicts between the influential and downtrodden strata, resulting into the victory of the latter i.e. workers and labourers, called proletariat, and defeat of the investors and producers, i.e. bourgeoisie, in the words of Marxism (Turner 1978, 128). The notion Neo-Marxism is claimed to be the continuity of Marxist perspective, where the later Marxist-theorists and sociologists have included some more aspects associated with the social injustices and disparities, being exercised upon the lower classes and the individuals working in low profiles at organisational levels, through their works created during the second half of twentieth century (Muntaner & Lynch 1999, 62). German sociologist-theorist Max Weber has particularly made valuable contributions for the projection and promotion of Neo-Marxism (Taylor 1974, 8). Hence, Neo-Marxism also condemns observing of discriminatory behaviour in healthcare and medical sectors, along with other public departments, which are ethically bound to help all members of society on the principles of justice and equality and without observing any bias or prejudice against any group or class existing in the society. Neo-Marxism, Healthcare and Illness: Neo-Marxism does not confine its vast canvas to some specific area of interest only; on the contrary, the term has successfully captured the attention and attraction of all fields and areas of society in the wake of the prejudices and inequalities being observed at a wider scale in various departments, organisations and institutions of public interest functioning in the contemporary era social establishment at large (Taylor 1974, 11-2). Being an essential part of everyday human life and activities, health and illness have also been discussed and evaluated by the Neo-Marxist perspective with profound curiosity. It is partly due to the tremendous developments being witnessed in the field of health and medical sciences, where discovering of new diseases and remedies for overcoming them as well have brought revolutionary alterations within the modern era health sector (Muntaner & Lynch 1999, 62). One of the most dominant features attributed to the striking growth of various ailments in present-day societies included the serious negligence committed by the authorities and members of upper social stratum while carrying out their tasks, activities and responsibilities. The upper stratum of contemporary era societies has added its large share with regards to increasing the work hours for the expansion of their corporate ventures and profit volumes. It has resulted into the multiplication of the tasks to be accomplished by the employees and workers. The modern era entrepreneur has shifted the heavy burden of responsibilities to the employees by offering them the incentives, financial rewards, job security and promotions against their services for their workplaces. As a result, the contemporary age has boosted the capitalist economic system even in the countries that had been emulating the socialist economic arrangements at public and private sectors for the last several decades. Consequently, Russian Federation and China have also adopted quite a few characteristics of Capitalism since the last decades of the previous century (Zaidi 2013). Eventually, the employees have to render their services under the state of perfect competition, has been inflicted upon them by their respective managements in the aftermath of the popularity of capitalistic system; where the losses of their health and vigour turn out to be far higher than the remunerations and incentives they would obtain from the producer or investor against their hard work and dedicated efforts. The pressure from the management to achieve the targets forces the employees to prolong their work hours, which not only keep them under the state of permanent stress and strain, but also deprives them of enjoying the leisure time through recreational activities after their work hours (Baily et al 2003, 4). As a result, the employees have to undergo various diseases and ailments because of their spending several hours a day at their workplace with the aim of completing the challenging tasks and hence working like machines in order to overcome their pecuniary embarrassments and financial needs (Basu et al 2006, 1121-2). Hence, the amount or extra amount they obtain against their professional obligations is generally consumed on the recovery of their health and fitness, though they would never attain the complete convalescence altogether even spending larger proportion of their salaries to recover from mental stress and physical unfitness as well subsequently. Another, considerable aspect discussed by Neo-Marxism while determining the causes and consequences of ailments of various types included the denial of the comforts and luxuries life offers to man in modern times. In other terms, almost all the comforts and facilities appeared because of the marvellous technological advancements are being enjoyed by the individuals coming of the upper classes, where the members from lower social stratum could just dream of obtaining the same one day in their life. The individuals from upper classes have surplus income, resources and high-quality food in access; while the lower classes have to undergo hunger and starvation time and again because of their poor wages and low income level. Furthermore, poor residential abode, with miserable cleanliness and sanitation facilities in slump areas also causes the denial of superior health condition to the unprivileged people. Thus, the poor people and their children are bound to spend their lives under great stress and strain and always find themselves to be stranger to the entire society throughout their life (Silver 2002, 226). Hence, scarcity of hygienic food and inadequate nutrition facilities tell upon the health and fitness of the poor people of society. Subsequently, helplessness and deprivation observed by the persons suffering from one type of illness or the other caused the ruination of their health and fitness on long-term and even permanent basis. In simple words, the persons falling ill are actually deprived of the pleasant and congenial social and physical environment essential for the maintenance of sound mental and physical health and fitness. On the other hand, the upper stratum enjoys an atmosphere that not only keeps them strong and vigorous, but also paves the way towards their achievements at personal and professional scales because of their being in the position of applying the best of their skills and employing best of their abilities with the aim of turning out to be successful for the future years to come. Somehow, it does not reflect that the rich stratum of society does not fall ill or undergo disabilities of any kind altogether. On the other hand, it has aptly been found that the members of upper stratum of society also suffer from heart diseases, blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer, AIDS and all other ailments making the individuals as their prey. However, hygienic food, better medical treatment and superior care and look after helps them to recover and turn their life to be happier one eventually. Another noteworthy association between Neo-Marxism and health conditions of the individuals includes the peace of mind attained and achieved because of the resources the capitalistic economic system offers to the upper class. In simple terms, sense of having all the opportunities to have access to the things and activities that could bring happiness and pleasures in life also turns out to be beneficial in respect of keeping man healthy. Hence, the idea that one can afford the precious dresses, residence, conveyance and recreational activities of one’s choice turns out to be supportive one with regards to improvement of health and fitness. On the contrary, deprivation and disappointments often increase the magnitude of distress and health fall subsequently. To conclude, it becomes evident that Neo-Marxist perspective successfully declares the health, illness and disabilities as essential part of individual and collective life of the people. Somehow, reasons behind the lower stratum’s falling ill have some strong connection with the deprivation and social inequalities. Similarly, lack of healthcare and medical facilities witnessed by the haves-not also maintains their relationship with Neo-Marxism. Actually Neo-Marxist perspective blames the social inequalities and discriminations prevailing within the socio-cultural environment for the miserable health condition of the individuals. Social stratification does not allow the equal distribution of health facilities and resources to all members of society irrespective of class, caste, creed, community and socioeconomic status. On the other hand, the resources remain confined to the rich, influential and well-to-do groups and communities, where the poor people remain deprived of the sufficient and hygienic food and medical facilities just due to lack of financial resources necessary to keep them healthy (Macionis 2008, 361). As a result, the people belonging to lower stratum of society frequently become prey to various ailments that results into an increase in their mental retardation, stress, depression and fatigue, and turn them disable in respect of performing their duties in an effective manner. References 1. Basu, Susanto., Fernald., John G., & Kimbal, Miles S. “Are Technology Improvements Contractionary?” The American Economic Review. December 2006, Volume 96 No. 5 December. 2. 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Proeschold-Bell., & LeGrand S. “Tailoring Health Programming to Clergy Findings from a Study of United Methodist Clergy in North Carolina.” Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University Centre for Health Policy and Inequalities Research 2012 pp. 1-16. Web. http://divinity.duke.edu/sites/default/files/documents/chi/Proeschold-Bell%20Tailoring%20health%20programming%20to%20clergy_formatted.pdf 8. Proeschold-Bell, R. J., LeGrand, S., James, J., Wallace, A., Adams, C., & Toole, D. “A theoretical model of the holistic health of United Methodist Clergy.” Journal of Religion and Health, 2009 pp. 50-1 9. Ritzer, George. 2007. Modern Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw Hill Education 10. Silver, Marisa. 2002. The Passenger: A story in the collection “Babe in Paradise.” New York: W. W. Norton. 11. Swartz, Katherine. “Health care for the poor: For whom, what care, and whose responsibility?” Focus 2009. Vol. 26, No. 2, Fall, pp. 69-75 12. Taylor, John. “Neo-Marxism and Underdevelopment — A sociological phantasy.” Journal of Contemporary Asia, 1974 Volume 4, No. 1, pp. 5-23. 13. Turner, Jonathan F. 1978. The Structure of Sociological Theory. Ontario: The Dorsey Press. 14. Zaidi, Mujtaba Haider. “The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and US Supremacy.” African Herald Express August 20, 2013 Opinion Section Web. http://africanheraldexpress.com/blog8/2013/08/20/the-shanghai-co-operation-organisation-and-us-supremacy/ Read More