Sanitation is a cornerstone of public health, deeply intertwined with the social, economic, and cultural fabric of societies. It encompasses the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human waste, the promotion of hygiene practices, and the management of waste to prevent the spread of diseases. From a sociological perspective, sanitation is … Read more
Public health, as a field, is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from medicine, epidemiology, biology, and the social sciences. However, its sociological dimensions are particularly significant because public health is not merely about treating diseases or promoting physical well-being; it is deeply intertwined with social structures, cultural norms, and systemic inequalities. Sociology provides a critical lens through … Read more
The sociology of health, also known as medical sociology, is a sub-discipline of sociology that examines the social causes, experiences, and consequences of health and illness. It explores how social structures, cultural norms, and institutional practices shape health outcomes, access to healthcare, and the experiences of individuals within healthcare systems. The emergence of the sociology … Read more
The concepts of illness and sickness are central to the field of medical sociology, which examines the social dimensions of health, disease, and healthcare. While these terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, sociologists distinguish between them to highlight the social, cultural, and structural factors that shape how individuals and societies perceive, experience, and … Read more
Diseases have long been a central concern for human societies, shaping social structures, cultural practices, and public policies. From a sociological perspective, diseases are not merely biological phenomena but are deeply embedded in the social fabric. They reflect and influence societal norms, economic systems, and power dynamics. Broadly, diseases can be categorized into two types: … Read more
Health is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond the mere absence of disease. It encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, and is deeply intertwined with the social structures and cultural contexts in which individuals live. Sociology, as a discipline, provides a unique lens through which to examine the determinants and indicators of health, emphasizing the … Read more
Health is a fundamental aspect of human life, influencing individual well-being, social interactions, and societal functioning. In sociology, health is not merely understood as the absence of disease but as a multidimensional concept that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Sociologists examine health through the lens of social structures, cultural norms, and power dynamics, … Read more
The Chicago School of sociology, emerging in the early 20th century at the University of Chicago, revolutionized the study of crime and deviance by shifting the focus from individual pathology to the social environment. This school of thought rejected the dominant individualistic explanations of crime, which attributed criminal behavior to inherent biological or psychological traits, … Read more
Anomie is a central concept in sociology, particularly within the framework of structural functionalism and the study of social order and deviance. The term, derived from the Greek words “a-” (without) and “nomos” (law or norm), refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values. First introduced by the French … Read more
Social Strain Theory, also known as Strain Theory, is a sociological framework that seeks to explain the relationship between societal structures and individual behavior, particularly deviant behavior. Developed by American sociologist Robert K. Merton in the mid-20th century, the theory posits that societal pressures and structural inequalities can lead individuals to engage in deviant or … Read more