Critically compare cultural and structural theories of the social patterning of health and illness.

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TASK 2 in an essay format of 750 words, “critically compare cultural and structural theories of

the social patterning of health and illness. (AC/ 2.1)

To discuss how structural theories in social patterning have an effect on health and illness with cultures. Structure is formed from theoretical approaches with shape the culture of society theses effects housing, education and employment status. The Cultural aspect form how social contents of class how they live their life’s, through region, exercise, diets, smoking and alcohol. I will compare how the cultures bear the impact of structural theories along with the illness that occurs within it. The social patterns look at the health within the sociological influences. The structure of society is formed from many different approaches that it contributes, to, and has a hold on cultural lifestyle.

 Society is made up of different sociological approaches will discuss two theories within sociology Functionalism, Marxism. All these approaches developed the structure of society. I will discuss and compare how each of these theories has effect and contributed to behavioural factors which have had an impact on people’s lifestyles and their health.

The formation of functionalism was leaded by Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) it can be view as, socialization that is paramount to predict and understand behavioural patterns in social structures. Parson (1902 -79) idealises the imprortance of Nuclear Family and the hierarchy to enforce a consensus and social society. Parsons state that the use of social institutions such as the government, law, church, and mass media to deliver a society that behaves in a socially accepted way to prevent conflict and disorder. This is key to society socializing people.

Modern society is influences by specialized social order it falls under division of labour how jobs are organised in which a dependant society is created and forms a continuous generation to generation. Every individual follows a norm in which they form a common identity. Meritocratic jobs rewarded people who have cultural capital as there were seen with more knowledge ability and skills to undertaken senior roles in society this is commonly cause by social stratification. Underlining issues off the skills to the unskilled cause people to react and behave in a certain ways, this imposes the underclass to live off state benefits, indulge in drinking and smoking are the causes of criminal activities and promiscuous behaviour. Social factor which social class stratification is related to status in social groups and individual lifestyles, interlink with poverty, behaviour and beliefs.  

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Education within the institutions created the division of labour. A person with educational qualifications in the approach of Functionalism help maintained the social order; careers are seemed as the norm.  The effects of individuals who didn’t achieve values of achievement, competition preparing them for the working world were unable to relate with cultural values and the norm and were failure in their role in society.

A strong family support and kinship help with the survival of functionalism theory. As it maintains the social order, contributes to economy, adapting towards industrial society that supported in socialization.

Health and illness ...

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