Tacot Parsons’s Contribution to the Sociology of Health Essay

In this essay I would analyse the concept of health and illness, I would critically examines the contribution of Parsons Theory to health and illness and the criticisms of Parsons model of sick role. In addition, the paper will discuss inequality in health and the findings of black report. I would also discuss sickle cell disease and coronary heart disease. Talcott Parsons has revolutionised the way to deal with the disease and he structured his ideas in to practice and interlink with core issues that the utilitarian society must have. In that sense Parsons noticed that when a person is sick, they are unable to carry out their social responsibility normally. Therefore, Parsons implies that the only way to understand the illness and its†¦show more content†¦Giddens A 6th edition online version. Parsons idea of the sick role was to prescribe ways to control and challenge social deviance thus his model of the sick role has provided the sick person with rights and obligations as followed: 1. Sick person is exempted from their normal duties 2. They are not responsible for their sickness. Obligations: 1) Should seek medical help from professionals 2) Should see sickness as undesirable Some theorist has argued Parsons model has not fully cover every issue in his methodology of the sick role subsequently, on issues of patient –doctor relationship, chronic illness and inequality in health .Here the argument would be presented to measure and weigh the model and engage this model to see if it could still function in today’s society. Taylor S Field 2003 pg The arguments of the sick role: On doctor- patient relationship he emphasize that doctor should protect sick person’s privacy and well-being ,doctor should be skilled he should take the needs of patient as prioriy and be able to interact well with their patients. Doctors should also act according to the medical code of practice and ethics. On the other hand Doctors have unrestricted access to patient. Moreover, they have