Introduction: The sociology of chronic and disabling conditions; assaults on the lifeworld

Graham Scambler, Sasha Scambler

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Contributions to the sociology of chronic and disabling conditions might be considered to have entered a transitional phase. It is generally accepted that Western modernity has been characterized by a considerably extended human lifespan accompanied by a growing prevalence of chronic, degenerative disorders; a ‘compression of morbidity’ in the fourth age (Fries, 1983); and a norm of slow as opposed to quick dying. Chronic and disabling conditions, in other words, have become highly significant objects of investigation, attracting increasing politico-economic as well as social, psychological and, of course, biological attention. Their salience has precipitated divisions of orientation, most conspicuously, but not only, between medical sociologists and disability theorists. The fact that these divisions are currently under debate justifies our reference to a ‘transitional phase’. It also underpins the rationale for this book.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNew Directions in the Sociology of Chronic and Disabling Conditions: Assaults on the Lifeworld
PublisherBFI Publishing/Palgrave Macmillan
Pages1-7
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9780230297432
ISBN (Print)9780230222700
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

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