Critically Assess Sociological Explanations for Inequalities in Health by Gender

The approach further suggests that the statistics could also be wrong because of the lifestyles that men are socialized into.  Men do not consult their GPs as often as they should, they have a need to be more tolerant to pain and illness, so they tend to use ‘over the counter’ drugs rather than seeking medical advice.

A major criticism of the social constructionist approach is that women, even though they consult their GP more than men do, they do not always go about an illness.  If you do not take into account all the times that a woman goes to her GP in connection with contraception, menstruation, gynaecology, anti-natal and post-natal care, the inequalities between men and women are reduced.

The genetic explanation or natural selection approach believes that inequalities in health are biological, they happen as natural occurrences.  A hormone called oestrogen which is only present in women is believed to reduce blood clotting and cholesterol levels, whereas the testosterone hormone in men is known to increase blood clotting which gives the women better protection against heart disease, so men respond to stresses in a way that is biologically more dangerous than it is for a woman.  Women are biologically more at risk than men are especially whilst child bearing.  However, female foetuses have better survival rates than male foetuses.

Although the natural theory is supported by a variety of evidence and medical research, there is not nearly enough to count for the levels of morbidity and mortality in the different gender groups.  Different cultures can also determine the health and illness rates as is explained in the cultural – behavioural analysis.

This theory blames the individual for their ill health.  The way in which men and women have been socialised, determines the morbidity and mortality that they have.  Men tend to take more risks in life, they try to fill the masculine role of a man and with doing so, and they are more likely to suffer more injuries and accidents.  It is more acceptable for a man to smoke and drink alcohol, which may account for the higher rate of death from cancer and heart disease in men.  (Letts, AS Sociology)  Women prefer to take on the mother/housewife role, taking care of the family has less risks to injury, but can cause more stress related illnesses, which women can help themselves to overcome, by sharing their concerns with friends or significant others.  The cultural – behavioural theory can be criticised by saying that an individuals risk taking or ability to distress themselves is totally down to the person involved and not always culturally determined, so in choosing not to take risks could in fact lower morbidity rates and by sharing problems and concerns with friends can actually prevent an individual from becoming ill.

The cultural – behavioural theory focuses on behaviour and culture, whereas the materialist structural analysis explores the social pattern of men and women, and how their positions in different occupations and lifestyles affect health.  Men are more likely to work in physically hazardous jobs such as the industry trades, mining or the army; these jobs carry the risk of early mortality.  Working women again suffer the stresses and strains of working and caring for the home, children or both.  Women who care for their children or home are more likely to take on less rewarding, lower paid jobs, they are probably under appreciated which again causes stress and ill health.  So whilst the men take more risky jobs and risk their health, women take on domestic duties, children and employment they risk psychiatric problems.

Evidence of this theory is very poor.  It does not take into consideration cultural behaviour; it is based on the occupations or lifestyles.  If you do not have prestige and are under appreciated, your morbidity rate is high.  Biological theories have also been dismissed.  Brown and Harris (1979) claim that the higher rates of post-natal and menopausal depression among women suggest their greater dependence of wife and mother roles for a sense of achievement.

Health, illness, disease and inequalities in health are very much products of society.  Gender plays a big part in these inequalities, whether it be biological, materialistic, culturally caused or socially constructed.  There are significant patterns of morbidity and mortality rates.  After taking all the approaches mentioned into account the most sensible way of understanding inequalities in health by gender is to accept that they will always be there.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Brown and Harris (1979)Sociology in focus,(2000), causeway press

Letts (2004)Letts Sociology AS revise, page 145.

McFarlane, A (2001)Revise A2 Sociology, London, Letts.

Szasz (1969)Revise AS Sociology (2004), page 141, London, Letts