SOC 305 DQ3

Description

For this discussion, please start with reading your Supplemental 1 reading, available as a pdf file in the ‘supplemental readings’ content module, titled The Social Construction of Illness: Key Insights and Policy Implications, by Peter Conrad and Kristin K. Barker. This reading offers an overview of the theoretical origins of the conception of illness as a social construct and an excellent discussion of how the meaning and experience of illness is shaped by cultural and social systems. In particular, the reading focuses on three key areas: the cultural meaning of illness, the illness experience as socially constructed, and medical knowledge as socially constructed and offers a discussion of policy implications for each of those. For this post, I would like for you to choose one of the three key areas and offer a thoughtful discussion of policy implications using your own examples. How can we benefit from understanding that illness is shaped by society and culture? What practical conclusion and policy recommendations can come out of such understanding? (Please do not cut and paste or otherwise copy passages from the article – you need to read, digest, and summarize those issues in your own words).