Exploring Social Science Issues
Introduction
Social science deals with the scientific study of human beings. It is broad and has various aspects that influence the behavior of human beings. Scientific theories have been used to explain people’s behavior and also to provide proof behind the different behavioral aspects of human beings. Some of the social factors that have shown a significant contribution to human behavior include; the culture of the individual and the environment one is living in. Culture is crucial in everyone’s character since it binds him or her to cultural beliefs and practices that he or she is expected to observe. Moreover, culture has a significant contribution to individual behavior because of the similarities that are evident in every group of people with a similar cultural background (NIOS, n.d.). Other factors that can affect the individuals’ behavior are the state of the economy of the country. However, culture has proven to have the highest percentage contribution when compared to the other factors.
Culture includes the social, economic, and political aspects that guide and rule a particular society. They can be in the form of ceremonies, rituals, religious practices, and interpersonal relationships that one tied and has no option but to stick to and obey. Some of the historical resources that aided in doing the research included herbal products, artifacts, and cultural practices. Individuals who share similar cultural backgrounds have proven to have some similarities in the way they behave and in personal interests (Murdock, 2018). This is because they share common knowledge concerning their historical backgrounds. Culture as a social science issue has dramatically affected the treatment of diseases by either acting as a barrier or by promoting the treatment of illness.
The different communities all over the world have different cultural values, social norms, and beliefs. This has been a challenge for a long time since the diversity of cultures makes it hard for some communities to receive proper treatment of diseases affecting them. The social science matter that I have selected to explore is on cultural factors and how they impact the treatment of medical conditions within society. It is crucial because cultural influences or features affect the mindfulness of the community and whether a person may pursue to advance or accept his or her immediate surroundings the way they are.
Social Principles
The principles of social science that correspond with the matters relating to cultural factors and various treatment of diseases along diverse cultural lines are social norms, beliefs, and cultural values.
Social Norms
Social norms are considered to be the appropriate, acceptable behavior in a society. They can be varied from one person to another based on the person’s environment, culture, and the situation at hand. Social norms guide the behavior of individuals and give society the inspired trait they teach to their young ones. In other words, social norms decree what is satisfactory in a community and what is not acceptable. The influence of other people on one’s behavior is an important aspect that is attributed to the conduct of any individual. Each situation requires a different way of handling. Thus through social norms, society expects one always to uphold integrity and morality when dealing with various issues. This is directed by the role one plays in a community and the contribution of the society members to the proper way of doing things (Bicchieri et al., 2018). The approval of one towards his or her behavior is usually conformed to society. The social norms affect the treatment of diseases both directly and indirectly. They may, at times, prevent one from seeking medical assistance in places which the particular society has considered illegitimate. This may cause one to suffer from a condition that he or she can get appropriate medical help. Since these societal norms are not recorded or written down one is always expected to uphold and maintain them abstractly.
Social Beliefs
Social beliefs are typically ideologies that are used to explain how a particular society reasons on specific issues that concern the society members. Social views are specific to each particular ethnic group and are usually passed down from one generation to another. Cultural beliefs in society can be categorized into three dimensions, that is political, economic, and cultural. In the political aspect, social beliefs can affect the treatment of diseases through the passing of laws that encourage or discourage specific medical issues. They can promote by approving statutes that favor the construction of health facilities that offer particular treatment such as cancer screening and treatment centers. Conversely, social beliefs can discourage the availability of medical services by passing laws that illegalize the offering of some medical services such as abortions. Economically the social beliefs can affect the treatment of diseases through on the production of certain medicinal products that are used in the treatment of diseases. Socially the society plays a significant role by either encouraging or discouraging its members from accessing certain medical services or the usage of medical products (Lumen, n.d.).
Cultural Values
The cultural values are how society does things in a manner that they consider to be right, just, and fair. However, at times, cultural values may conflict with each other since not all the values that society considers proper, apply to all groups of people. The most common values that are recognized by sociologists to be globally ethical include patriotism, freedom, democracy, charity, equality, justice, individualism, accountability, and responsibility. The contradiction in the cultural values is brought up by actions that do not match with what is said or dictated by these values.Furthermore, cultural values can either be real or idea. Actual values are applied in the day to day lives of people, while ideal values are the ones a society believes in but does not put into practice. Cultural values help to uphold the standards of a community.
Cultural values can affect the treatment of a disease in a very significant way. These values dictate who can access medical services, where one can access the medical services when one is should access such services, and how he or she will be given the service required. The cultural values also affect the treatment of diseases by engaging the appropriate medical institutions and organizations in the offering of medical services to its community members. Since the institutions need to consider the values upheld in the society, the communities must uphold values that are acceptable to encourage the institutions to offer services they need from these medical organizations. Cultural values are, therefore, very crucial in ensuring a society and its members get quality and efficient medical services that aid in the treatment of diseases (EuroMed Info, n.d.).
How the principles affect the treatment of illnesses
Social norms, social beliefs, and cultural values are mainly associated with the history of a society or community. Since all communities have a different cultural background, any individual must consider the bigger picture; which is to take the most positive and acceptable decision. This will enable the individual to access better health care regardless of the cultural background issues and opinions. The different cultures have shown varied opinions towards problems such as diseases and death hence making it vital always to do intensive research on the best way to tackle medical issues (Armenakis & Kiefer, 2007). This research helps to avoid complications that are associated with cultural practices that do not offer a remedy to particular critical health matters. The societies that uphold outdated cultural values and practices mainly do so because they lack a proper understanding of how essential health is and should be enlightened through formal education.
In some cultures, treatment of illnesses such as mental illness is considered unacceptable. These cultures believe that mental illness is a punishment from their gods, and therefore, these people should not be treated. This is an example of how social norms can affect the treatment of illness. What is deemed acceptable in society can significantly impact the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, in some cultures, it is believed that some illnesses are as a result of witchcraft. Therefore, these people do not believe in seeking medical attention from clinical physicians; instead, they prefer seeing witchdoctors. Such believes negatively impact the treatment of illnesses that could easily be cured using modern medicine. Also, some cultural values support the treatment of illnesses. For example, in some cultures, doctors and healers are viewed as people who are caring and have integrity. The presence of these values makes people trust caregivers, making it easy to treat patients and promote health in society (Armenakis & Kiefer, 2007).
Conclusion
A researcher interested in finding out the contribution of cultural values and practices in the treatment of diseases should consider several issues. First, they should be able to gather information on the cultural norms, beliefs, and values of different communities to help them in identifying the factors that are encouraging the treatment of diseases and also guide them in identifying the barriers that prevent disease treatment. Through understanding the cultures, the researcher can compare and analyze the information and present it as a factor concerning health welfare. The researcher can give solutions to the society whose members are greatly affected and enable them to learn to cooperate with health organizations (Armenakis & Kiefer, 2007). This will allow them to get treatment services hence reduce the risks of getting infected or probably total eradication of the diseases. The mortality rate also declines as a result of the treatment of medical conditions that are known for causing death to patients.
It is essential to corporate ethical values and practices that bring about a positive impact on the community. The society should put effort into educating the member on the importance of healthy living through access to proper medical care and services. This is because the diseases affect the productivity of individuals through interfering with their thinking and actions. Since the cultural practices vary from one community to another, it is, therefore, essential to address the issue in a way that will accommodate and appreciate the diversities.
References
Armenakis, A. M., & Kiefer, C. P. (2007). Social & Cultural Factors Related to Health. Retrieved from https://www.cugh.org/sites/default/files/13_Social_And_Cultural_Factors_Related_To_Health_Part_A_Recognizing_The_Impact_-_Copy_0.pdf
Bicchieri, C., Muldoon, R., & Sontuoso, A. (2018, September 24). Social Norms. Retrieved October 5, 2019, from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy website: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/social-norms/
EuroMed Info. (n.d.). How culture influences health beliefs. Retrieved October 5, 2019, from EuroMed Info website: https://www.euromedinfo.eu/how-culture-influences-health-beliefs.html/
Lumen. (n.d.). Culture, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Stigmatized Illnesses. Retrieved October 5, 2019, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/diseaseprevention/chapter/culture-beliefs-attitudes-and-stigmatized-illnesses/
Murdock (2018). SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR. Place of publication not identified: WILLFORD PR.
National Institute of Open Schooling. (n.d.). CULTURE: AN INTRODUCTION. Retrieved from https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/SecICHCour/English/CH.01.pdf
