Question

What is the medicalization of deviance? Give an example of a behavior that people once
understood in moral terms and now understand in medical terms. What difference does it make
if people use moral or medical terms to define deviant behavior?

Answer 1

The medicalization of deviance refers to the process in which the non-conforming or non-normative behavior, appearance, beliefs, and conduct fall under the medical jurisdiction

Examples of such behavior that people once understood in moral terms and now understand in medical terms are as follows:-

• Alcoholism
• Substance abuse
• Addiction
• Learning disabilities
• Gender dysphoria
• Eating problems
• Infertility issues
• Madness
• Psychological disorders

Morality perspective views everything as appropriate and inappropriate based upon the morals, values, and rules of the society which can be highly illogical, unethical, and maladaptive in nature but justified due to a mass population belief despite it being wrong in a lot of cases. Medical perspective views issues as something affecting an individual's health and it can be treated with appropriate techniques, medications, and therapies to help a person lead to better life