Body in Question : A Socio-Cultural Approach

Petersen, Alan

ISBN 10: 0415321611 / ISBN 13: 9780415321617

Published by Routledge, 2006

About this Item

Unread book in perfect condition.

Seller Inventory # 2532092

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Body in Question : A Socio-Cultural Approach
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415321611
• ISBN 13: 9780415321617
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

Why is there currently such strong academic and popular interest in ‘the body’ in contemporary societies? What factors shape our conceptions of the body, its naturalness, health and normality? What is the mind-body dualism and why should it matter?

This book examines these and other body questions from a critical socio-cultural perspective. In particular, it shows how conceptions of the body are affected by processes of individualization, medicalization and commodification. Chapters discuss the impact of new biomedical technologies on the notion of the natural body, efforts to reshape and perfect the body, the role of the media in ‘framing’ body issues, processes of body classification, the impact of consumerism on concepts of health, healing and self-care, and the implications of theoretical and practical efforts to ‘integrate’ mind and body.

This book will be an invaluable source for those seeking to understand the social, cultural and political significance of ‘the body’ in contemporary society.

About the Author

Alan Petersen is Professor of Sociology, and Research Coordinator, in the School of Law and Social Sciences, The University of Plymouth.