Concept of sickness, sick role,

birth and death.

DISEASE, ILLNESS, SICKNESS

Disease: Professionally defined

physiological or psychological dysfunction
Illness: Subjective state of the
individuals who feels
aware of not being well
Sickness: State of social dysfunction
based on professional-social arrangement
Types of Sickness:
Spiritual sickness:Sinisspiritualsickness.Ifit
isnotdealtwith,sinisterminal,spirituallyspeaking.
Medicalscienceornaturalhealingcandonothingfor
thiscondition.
physical sickness:Physicalsicknessresults
fromdisorderswhichcanbeobservedbyphysicians.
Inorganicdisorderstheactualsystemortissueofthe
bodyisdamagedinsomeway.e.gdiabetes,blood
pressure,ulcer,heartdiseaseetc
Conti
Emotional Sickness:Emotionalillnessresultsfromharmful
emotionssuchasanger,hatred,bitterness,etc.Healing
comesthroughbothverticalandhorizontalforgivenessand
healing.
mental Sickness:Mentalsicknessispoormentalhealth
resultingfromretardation,illness,accidents,breakdowns,
birthdefects,andpsychologicalconditionsnotcauseddirectly
byademonicpresence.
Cultural Variations about
Sickness:
Although people around the world value good health,
people in some countries, such as France and Italy,
seem to feel that health is more important than do
people in other countries, such as Lebanon and Turkey.
It seems reasonable to assume that the more people
value their health, the more likely they are to take care
of it. The ideas people have about the causes of
sickness also show changes across history and culture.
In the Middle Ages people thought evil spirits were
responsible for sickness or illness. Today, educated
people in technological societies generally reject such
ideas.
Conti
Religion is an aspect of culture. Many religions in the United
States include beliefs that relate to health and illness. For
instance, Jehovahs Witnesses reject the use of blood and blood
products in medical treatment .Christian Scientists reject the use
of medicine totally, believing that illnesses are cured only by
mental processes in the sick person. As a result, the sick person
needs prayer and counsel as treatment to help these processes
along.
Some religions include specific beliefs that promote healthful
lifestyles. Seventh-Day Adventists, for example, believe that the
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. They cite this belief as the
reason people should take care of their bodies. Adventists abstain
from using tobacco, alcohol, and nonmedically prescribed drugs.
In addition, they promote in fellow members a concern for
exercise and eating a healthful diet.
Definition of Sick role:
Sick role is defined as behavior & obligations
expected from a sick person.
Afunctionalroleadoptedbythosewhoaresick,andfor
which
theirpeersandsocietyaccepttheirsanctioneddevianc
efrom theirusual(healthy)role.
ThesociologistTalcottParsonssawthoseinasickrole
modeashavingtworights:
(1)Theyareexemptfromtheirusualsocialroles,
(2)Theyarenotresponsiblefortheirsickness,
andtwoobligations:
(1)Theyshouldtrytogetbetter;and,ifunable,
(2)Seekmedicalcareandfollowthedoctorsadvice.
Definition of birth:
Birth is defined as the beginning or
origin of something.

The emergenceof ababyor the other

young from the body of itsmother and
thestart of life as aphysically separate
being.
Cultural variation about birth:
In Pakistan, theaqeeqahis a common way to
celebrate the birth of a new baby. Its traditionally
performed seven days after a baby is born, and
involves shaving the babys head. The babys hair is
then collected and weighed, and that amount of
weight in gold and silver (or its monetary equivalent)
needs to be offered to charity. An animal is also
sacrificed (often a goat or sheep), the meat is used
in many dishes prepared for the celebratory feast
with family and friends, with other meat used to
feed the poor.
Theaqeeqahis performed in many parts of the
Muslim world and is a highly recommended practice
in Islam.
Conti..
Observed by Jews around the world ,Another
religious ceremony performed shortly after the
birth of a child is thebris(also called
aBritMilah ), thebrisis the ceremony of male
circumcision, often conducted eight days after
a baby is born. The circumcision itself is
performed by amoheland is held in the
familys home. Family and friends gather
before the circumcision, blessings are recited,
and a light meal is served after wards.
Conti
In Indonesia, baby shower is a big event to celebrate the babys
first month. A huge feast of many different foods including rice,
noodles, eggs, tofu and different types of meat are offered to the
gathering of family and friends.
The one month birthday celebration is common not only in
Indonesia, but also Singapore, Vietnam and China. Red eggs,
signifying a joyous occasion and a sense of renewal, often form
part of the celebration. The one month birthday is often also the
time many new mothers are officially allowed to come off a
month of bed rest and spending time at home, a practice
traditional in many East Asian cultures. One of the reasons given
for celebrating the first month birthday is that infant mortality
rates in these parts of the world used to be so high that only if a
baby had made it to their first month were they officially
welcomed as part of the family.
Conti
In India, Hindus celebrateannaprashana,the
first time the baby is given food. The
celebration is often performed in the family
home or a temple, and occurs on a day chosen
by a priest that is deemed the most blessed for
the baby. Prayers are recited and the baby is
offered a ceremonial tasting of their first food.
A game is played, involving placing items such
as a book, pen, jewels and food around the
baby. The item the baby reaches for first deems
where their interests will lie in the future.
Conti
Drinking, rather than eating, is the
highlight of the British celebration
wetting the babys head. The idea is
for the new dad and his friends to go
out (usually to the pub) soon after the
baby is born, and they then have a drink
(or many) to celebrate the new baby.
Definition of death:
The irreversible cessation of all
vital functions especially as
indicated by permanent stoppage
of the heart, respiration, and brain
activity that is the end of life.
It is the state of being dead.
Cultural variations about death
Muslims(islamic)
Muslims believe that the soul continues to exist after death. During life a
person can shape their soul for better or worse depending on how they
live their life. Muslims believe there will be a day of judgment by Allah
(God). Until then, the deceased remain in their graves but on judgment
day they will either go to Heaven or Hell. Muslims accept death as Gods
will.
Muslims should be prepared for death at any time, which is partly why
daily prayers are so important. A dying person may wish to die facing
Mecca, the Muslim holy city. Family members and elders recite the Muslim
scripture called the Quraan and pray for the person. If there is no family,
any Muslim can do this.
The eyes of the deceased will be closed and the body is laid out with their
arms across their chest and head facing Mecca. The body will be washed
by family or friends. It will be wrapped in a white shroud and prayers will
be said. Male staff should handle male patients, female with female
patients .
Hindus
Hindus believe in reincarnation. When a person dies their soul
merely moves from one body to the next on its path to reach
Nirvana (Heaven). So, while it is a sad time when someone
dies, it is also a time of celebration.
Family and a priest may come to pray with the dying person,
sing holy songs and read holy texts. The priest may perform
last rites. Other rituals can include the tying of a thread
around the neck and wrist of the dying patient, the sprinkling
of Ganges water, or the placing of a leaf from the sacred basil
bush on the tongue.
Family will pray around the body soon after death. People try
to avoid touching the body as it is considered unclean. Sacred
threads and other religious objects should not be removed.
Sikh
Sikhs believe in reincarnation but also that if a person
lives their life according to Gods plan then they can end
the cycle of rebirth in this life. They believe in an
afterlife where the soul meets God
Friends and relations will be with the dying person and
recite from the Sukhnami Sahib or the Guru Granth
Sahib.
After passing away the deceased will be washed and
dressed in clean clothes. If the deceased has fulfilled
the Sikh baptismal ritual then the five symbols of Sikh
membership will also be placed in the coffin. Non-Sikhs
may attend the body at death.
Christian:
Christians trust they will go to heaven to be with God once
they have died and so in some respects a funeral is a time
of joy, although also sadness, as the person will be missed
by friends and loved ones .The church minister may come
and visit the person and their family to discuss any
concerns and to help the person to prepare for their death.
Depending on the form of Christianity (i.e. Anglican,
Presbyterian etc.) and the particular church, there may be
slightly different customs that will be followed. The church
minister will offer any comfort or assistance the family
needs to help them cope with the death and to organise
the funeral. Friends will often send their sympathies in the
form of cards and/or flowers to the deceaseds family.
Buddhist
Buddhists believe in rebirth and that when they die they will be
reborn again. The dying person may ask a monk or nun in their
particular Buddhist tradition to help them make the transition
from life to death as peaceful as possible. Buddhists believe
that a persons state of mind as they die is very important so
they can find a happy state of rebirth when they pass away.
Before and at the moment of death and for a period after
death, the monk, nun or spiritual friends may chant from the
Buddhist scriptures. Buddhists believe the spirit leaves the body
immediately but may linger in an in between state near the
body. In this case it is important the body is treated with
respect so that the spirit can continue its journey to a happy
state. The time it is believed to take for the spirit to be reborn
can vary depending on the type of Buddhism practised.
Jewish
Beliefs may vary depending on whether the Jewish person is Orthodox,
Reform or Conservative. Jews believe that when they die they will go to
Heaven to be with God. This next world is called Olam HaEmet or the
world of truth. Death is seen as a part of life and a part of Gods plan.
Family and friends will gather. A rabbi may be called to offer comfort
and to pray for the person who is dying. It is a basic tenet of Judaism
that a dying person should not be left alone. The reading of Psalm 23
and the reciting of the Shema prayer may be desired.
The persons eyes are closed, the body is covered and laid on the floor
and candles are lit. The body is never left alone. Eating and drinking
are not allowed near the body as a sign of respect. In Jewish law, being
around a dead body causes uncleanliness so often the washing of the
body and preparations for burial will be carried out by a special group
of volunteers from the Jewish community. This is considered a holy act .
Thank you