Answer to Question #258270 in Sociology for Araba

Question

Discuss the conflict theory and functionalist theiritical perspective on health and illness on the South African context.

Answer 1

In the South Africa context, the conflict theory holds that social health inequality characterizes the quality of health care. This implies that people from low-class and disadvantaged social background in Soth Africa often become ill and fails to secure quality health care. Therefore medical practitioners tend to control medical practice by defining social problems in terms of medical issues. In contrast, the functionalism perspective holds that medical care and good health are necessary for the smooth existence of society. Hence, a physician issues instructions while the patients follow the instructions. Patients have to be ill in reality to be relieved from regular duties.