search query: @indexterm culture / total: 1605
reference: 515 / 1605
| Author: | Shilling, C. |
| Title: | Culture, the 'sick role' and the consumption of health |
| Journal: | British Journal of Sociology
2002 : DEC, VOL. 53:4, p. 621-638 |
| Index terms: | CULTURE CONSUMPTION INFORMATION SOCIOLOGY |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | This paper revisits Parsons's conception of the 'sick role' and examines the relevance of his writings on the cultural understanding of sickness to the consumption of health in the contemporary era. In terms of current developments, the author focuses on the development of pro-active approaches towards the healthy body, and the growth of information rich' consumers of health care. These have become prominent themes in sociology, and while Parsons's writings are usually viewed as anachronistic the author argues they remain highly pertinent to understanding the emergence of informed, body conscious lay people. If Parsons's analysis of health is more relevant to current circumstances than many critics assume, however, it is not unproblematic. |
SCIMA