Social norms exist across all societies. These are the rules that govern people’s way of life; how they relate to each other and what they consider ethically acceptable. However, it is prudent to note that what a given set of the society regards as their norm may not be directly applicable to another society. The main guardian of morals in any civilization majorly the state laws, and to a given extend religion. Laws, as used as absolute forms of social control, contain repercussions to bear when broken. This is unlike other forms of social control such as medicine.
The modern society has attached much importance to the physical well-being and the need to stay free from disease. Arguably, the value individuals attribute to fitness makes people lead what they consider as healthy lifestyles and avoid the routines that would cause disease. This regulates the way people behave and react to situations hence qualifying medicine as a form of social control. The knowledge a professional possesses in the field of medicine directs advice, dictates how to live to maintain health and on how to combat the disease.
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Perceptions of medicine have overhauled people’s lives, which has led to gratification of medical power in the contemporary western society. Staying healthy has become the new moral standard for measurement of goodness. For instance, the societal view of health makes an overweight individual hit the gym with the aim of achieving fitness. The driving force behind such a person's action is not any written law, nor is it because of religion but merely because of the notion that it is healthy.
In conclusion, the social values and norms of any given society act as a guiding compass. This drives action based on the importance attached to them and their consequences. Medical principles have affected the way people behave and relate to situations based on the health outcomes. The power that medicine has in directing societal beliefs, actions and relationships between people brands medicine a form of social control.
