Sociology Assignment: Analyzing Health Risk Factors Through Theories

This assignment delves into the comparative analysis of health risk factors between males and females, employing sociological perspectives to interpret the observed patterns and trends. The core focus is on understanding the disparities in risk factors such as alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, depression, and medication overuse, linking these to sociological theories like functionalism and symbolic interactionism. The essay begins by comparing the specific risk factors for each gender, providing statistical data to highlight the differences. It then explores how functionalism, including the concept of the 'sick role,' can explain these variations, and how the differing social roles and expectations placed on men and women contribute to their respective vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the assignment examines symbolic interactionism to understand how social interactions, symbols, and meanings influence health behaviors and outcomes. The strengths and weaknesses of each sociological perspective are discussed, along with criticisms, to offer a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between gender, health, and society. The analysis incorporates statistics related to suicide rates, working women, and the impact of social stress to strengthen the arguments. This assignment aims to provide a well-rounded understanding of how sociological theories can explain and interpret health trends and gender differences in health outcomes.

Please compare them at least 30 words
Explain your reasons why it is like this, why they have five risk factor. Relating it to sociology. (DO
this seperately) THINK SOCIOLOGICALLY.
The alcohol abuse disorder for male in United Kingdom is 16.4 per 100000 and in female is 7.6 per
100000. 63% of death was counted in the state in year 2016. In medical over use it was being
analysed by a recent report that female was at a greater risk in comparison to male. 50-70% of
patients were involved in taking high amount of medications which led to further complications in
them.
Explain the role of functionalism
Functionalism
It is a theory which describes the nature of mental state. This theory describes the mental state of
any individual by laying emphasis on what they do and what they are made for doing (Evans-Hoeker
and et.al., 2018). It explains causal relationship of an individual with other mental state. It includes
sensory input and behavioural output. Sick role means the rights and responsibilities of person who
are not well and also the privilege which is being provided to them. It has been analysed that
depression is more prevalent in women than men. Depressive male and females both are provided
with evidence based nursing interventions in order to improve their health outcome.
Make an argument of the statistics and reasons you gave. Relate this to functionalism. As you make
your argument
Sociological explanations for the patterns and trends in Health and Illness:
It has been analysed that women suffer more from depression disorder rather than men. Rate of
suffering of females from anxiety is twice as men. Statistic from the year 2013 showed that there
were 6233 suicides in which 78% were female and 22% male. It included working women and
housewives and also single parent who have committed suicide. The sociology of depression
includes the living conditions in which people live. Depression and anxiety are more prominent in
women than men as they take more social stress. Medications are overused by females more than
male and many psychological and sociological factors are being associated with it (Kumpula and
et.al., 2019). Female faces more emotional symptoms like suffering from headache which is 41% and
30% in male. It was analysed that women’s 43% working days were lost because of their ill health.
Explain the (strength) of the functionalism and link it back to your reasons and statistics
Women take higher level of stress than men and is more likely to suffer from depression more
(Oldham and et.al.,2019). This is because they are involved in taking more responsibilities than men.
Many women work and also manage home which is one of the biggest reason for depression as it
may be possible all the work may not be adequately manage by them. So suicidal tendencies are also
higher among women because of this.
Explain the role of symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism: This theory is related to sociology; in this it explains the relationship of
individual with society (McGuire and et.al.,2017). It focuses on how people communicate with each
other by making use of symbols. It has been analysed that sexual behaviour in males and females are
considered to be symbolic. Like for example they can interact with each other and understand how

to use drug. Various cases of drug abuse or alcohol abuse are taking place because of symbolic
interactionism.
Make an argument of the statistics and reasons you gave. Relate this to symbolic interactionism. As
you make your argument
Explanation related to sociology emphasised on various aspects such as history of family, social
environment or circle, impact of schools on upbringing of male and females and many more. It has
been analysed that young adults who are not closely related to their family are likely to take more
amount of alcohol or drug. Women is most likely to face alcohol abuse disorder as they are
psychologically more sensitive to drink alcohol. Females are impacted more from their family, circle
and even from their social environment.
Explain the (strength) of the symbolic interactionism and link it back to your reasons and statistics
Women are more involved in alcohol abuse disorder as they are firmly impacted by the trends which
are being followed by their family. Biological parents also contribute in the habit of consuming
alcohol. Females drink more when they see their parents consuming. They are involved in heavy
dosage of drug consumption. The statistics provided above has proved that females are more
affected by this which increases their depression and anxiety.
Weakness of Criticism for instance you can say that the perspective has been criticised for doing.......
Explain it and explain how it Relates to your statistics and reasons.
From the above study it has been summarised that females suffer more from depression and anxiety
disorder. This is because they have been involved in taking higher amount of stress. It has been
proved by statistics where in year 2016 22% males died from suicide and 78% were females. It was
because of the reason as women have more responsibility than male. Also it was analysed that they
also not engaged in exercising regularly and workplace stress was also the major cause of high over
used medications
Everything here need to be done in paragraph