Sociology; Health, illness and disability.

It is difficult to define health and illness because it takes on many definitions. Health is defined as having 'complete well-being', however it can be argued if we can feel this. With illness, certain symptoms, i.e. a raised temperature may be regarded as ill, while it may not in others.

The medical model of health defines health by the absence of disease, with it arising from physical and biological causes. We are treated with medicine, and sometimes surgery.

The social model of health is more social causes, and is generally critical of doctors (have too much power). It looks at class, gender, age, e.t.c.

The history of disability is that it was regarded as normal, and did work for agriculture. Industrialization made disability more visible, and were taken care of through homes. From this, they became separated from society and it is now their master status. Finkelstein (1980) believes it is a product of capitalism.

The medical model sees disability as a problem, and they need help to adapt to society. It justifies their exclusion from society, yet the disabled are disempowered and feel rejected.

The social model believes disability is a barrier of discrimination, and they should be seen as impaired. It focuses on barriers in the workplace, and sets about adjusting them to be inclusive of them.

Perceptions of the body have changed as people are expected to be slim. However, was and in some countries still is considered poor, and people were and in some countries are more rounded.

The causes of eating disorders primarily stems from social factors and pressures, in particular the media. It presents the woman as ultra-thin. Some are genetically-based, through serotonin (a brain chemical), which makes the individual have less desire for food. Psychological and emotional causes could be low self-esteem and perfectionism, as well as trauma, abuse or overprotective parents.

Feminists perspective is that women are bombarded by the image of the 'perfect' woman. They will then worry about their image and buy beauty products.