Conclusion

The above case studies suggest that Illich’s theory of Medical Imperialism remains relevant today. The studies indicate that there are potential benefits to medicalisation, providing individuals with resources to maintain their health and, as highlighted by Parsons, the “sick role” allocates space for individuals to recover from illness. In contrast, it is clear that the dominance of medicalisation…

Illich, Medicalisation, and Imperialism

In this blog we will be examining at length the idea of ‘medicalisation’ and ‘medical imperialism’ as put forward by Ivan Illich. We will not only examine what it is, how it arose and how this process has shaped how people see medicine, but also the idea that this process may not always be undesirable….

Power and Control: The Influence of Public Health

The public health movement is an accepted influence across society today. Its power goes beyond the medical institution and aims to sustain a dominance over individuals in society. Foucault’s theory of the “medical gaze” and Illich’s concepts of iatrogenesis and holistic approach to medical dominance highlight how the Medicalisation of society remains a reality today….

Men, Size, and Viagra

Erectile Dysfunction is merely ”the inability to get and maintain an erection” as stated by NHS (2014), which upon defining, offers no mention of penis size. Put simply, there is no ‘normal’ size for a penis. However, as society has become increasingly powerful in its assertions to the public, an image has been created to what…

Medicalisation of Sex: FGM and Designer Vaginas

What is FGM? Female genital mutilation is defined as “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons” (World Health Organisation, 2008: 4). Although it is unknown as to where and when female genital mutilation originated, it is thought to have…