Brave New World: Healthism and New Family Forms in the 21st Century

This article in Brave New World discusses the sociological phenomenon of healthism and its power relation, as well as Maslow's hierarchy theory. It also explores the emergence of new family forms in the 21st century, including the ME culture, multiracial family, LGBT family, LAT relationship, and the outdated model of the nuclear family.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

Table of Contents
Q2. Healthism..................................................................................................................................2
Q.5 New family forms emerged in 21st century...............................................................................4
Reference list...................................................................................................................................6
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Q2. Healthism
Healthism is a widespread concept concerning healthcare and medicine. As per the sociological
perspective, healthism relates the consumerism that focuses on the healthcare wellbeingthrough
the regular update of lifestyle). This is a well-recognized sociological phenomenon that is
perceived by the middle classes of western society. This is characterized by rising healthcare
awareness. This includes limitless expectations, self-reflection and choosing of alternative
healthy lifestyle. The healthism is changeable as per the changing course of demographic
location, economic structure, technological aspect and several ideological forces including the
postmodern condition. Healthism defines the power relationthat signifies the modern health
culture and healthcare wellbeing (Inside Story, 2018). The healthism can be described by
explaining two hypothetical examples
Example 1: Mercury filling
Bruce has the mercury filling for what he used to visit the healthcare professional every week.
He and his wife Fiona are to visit the doctor every weekend where they have the last
appointment. Bruce has a history of weakness, burning feeling and light-headiness. He visited
the General Physician (GP) with a referral card and it is seen that he had three harmless mercury
filling. However, he asked the GP to sign the referral form so that he can reimburse his treatment
to his preferable physician (Inside Story, 2018). The GP refuses to sign on the referral insurance
form as it could be unnecessary. Apart from that, it would be difficult for the doctor to evaluate
the provided information to his patient cum colleague. At that time Fiona reached the spot
though it was too late for the day. This signifies the patient prefers to go for an alternative
lifestyle by changing his physician for better treatment. Hence, this states the sociological
perspective of healthism that demands a better and alternative life.
Example 2: Immunization of River
River is a six week old baby with natural growth. His parents, Laura and Sebastian are vegan and
have no concrete record of any severe healthcare problems. After the six week checkup, the
doctors told Laura that River requires some more vaccination like diphtheria, tetanus and polio.
However, Laura refused the proposal stating that she would not let any additional artificial
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vaccine for her child where he is perfectly alright (Www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au,
2018). Moreover, she made a press release exposing the financial motifs of the GPs through
these kinds of vaccinations. Hence, she prefers to provide her homeopathytreatment.
The motif of alternative treatment signifies the observation of healthism. Moreover, this has also
shown the sociological perspective of healthism where the healthcare professionalslack the care
ethics due to financial benefit.
Maslow’s hierarchy theory
Maslow’s hierarchy theory states the hierarchicalconcept of human needs. There are four basic
psychological factors that motivate the hierarchicalstructures; food, shelter, sunlight and physical
relation (Www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au, 2018). This is considered to be the first
level of human desire. Once this level is accomplished the human beings focus on safety,
security, order and predictability. Thereafter comes love, esteem and self-actualization. The
hierarchical order follows the self-actualization, esteem, love, safety and psychological
satisfaction.
Figure: Maslow’s hierarchy
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Source: watermark.silverchair.com
Q.5 New family forms emerged in the 21st century
The globalization of the twenty-first century has perceived a great change in the family structure.
The concepts of the family are becoming more fragmented and diverse. The rapid evolve of the
globalization in the 21st century has affected the family structure.
‘ME’ culture
The concept of nuclear family is changing and a new ME culture has evolved where there is only
one member in a family. The change of the nuclear family concept to ME culture is dueto the
shift of socio-cultural and economic family segments (Www-tandfonline-
com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au, 2018). Previously, the singlehood was not accepted as a choice of life
progression. People use to think there is something financial or biological problem in the person.
However, the present situation is different. Being single has become a choice to form a new
concept of the family called ‘ME’ culture.
Multiracial family
Migration has brought out a new concept of the family called multiracial family. The reason for
the multiracial family is the migrating nature of the people. People use to migrate to a
differentplace for a social, cultural and financial purpose. Hence, they develop their family to a
different socio-cultural area. The rapid growth of globalization has motivated people to establish
a multiracial family (Journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au, 2018). The open economy easy
foreign business policies have promoted the development of the multiracial family. The
multiracial family has empowered the minorities to establish their own right.
LGBT family
The gay rightsmovements have developed the need to establish a family of the same gender.
Several nations have abolished the abolished the taboos regarding homo sexuality. This has
motivated to develop a new form of family (Journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au, 2018).
People can choose their partner according to their own choice and develop a family. Thebarriers
to gay marriage and gay couples have abolished and people have their freedom of choice.
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LAT relationship
Additionally, divorce and separation are also two impactful factors that motivate the change of
the community. People are satisfied with a LAT relationship. Thus, they are not interested in
developing a steady three or four-member family (Journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au,
2018). The living apart mindset of the couple has promoted the growth of developing more LAT
family.
Nuclear family
The nuclear family has become an outdated model. People tend to globalize their concept instead
of narrowing theirfamily activity. In the western nations, the nuclear family has become paradox.
The requirement of more preferablejobs and need of exploring a diversified concept has
promoted people to separate from nuclear family.
Theory of linearization
The theory of linearization states the concept of a global economy. People are no longer subject
to live in a particular area. They tend to explore a new area for new experiences. Thus, migration
has become a nature for the people for the want of new sociological concept (Journals-sagepub-
com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au, 2018). Thus, the new globalized economy can be personified as the
key reason for demolishing the nuclear family.
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Reference list
Inside Story. (2018). Caught between homelands | Inside Story. [online] Available at:
http://insidestory.org.au/caught-between-homelands/ [Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Inside Story. (2018). Shades of green, black and white | Inside Story. [online] Available at:
https://insidestory.org.au/shades-of-green-black-and-white/ [Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au. (2018). WSU Library - EzProxy. [online] Available
at: https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1177/1440783308089167
[Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au. (2018). WSU Library - EzProxy. [online] Available
at: https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1177/0011392104041809
[Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au. (2018). WSU Library - EzProxy. [online] Available
at:
https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/13698570903329490?
needAccess=true [Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au. (2018). WSU Library - EzProxy. [online] Available
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https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/13698570903329474?
needAccess=true [Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
Www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au. (2018). WSU Library - EzProxy. [online] Available
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https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/13698570903329474?
needAccess=true [Accessed 14 Nov. 2018].
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