The social world can be bad for your health
Consider if the social world can be bad for your health and/or
if social institutions can improve your health.
For the initial post, examine ways that some of the social institutions studied this week
(the family, the educational system, or religions) might affect the health (physical,
mental, spiritual) of the people in the institution. Also, consider behaviors, practices, or
experiences of specific demographic groups in the United States related to the social
institutions studied this week (the family, the educational system, or religions) and
examine ways specific demographic groups’ health could be affected positively or
negatively.
For the initial post, respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of
your post indicating either Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3:
• Option 1: How might health outcomes be affected by religious practices of
members of varying religions in the United States? Do a little digging: What are
some services that religious organizations provide in your area that help people
improve their health?
• Option 2: Interview a friend or family member whose family habits have changed
as a result of a health issue. What about their family life led to this health impact?
How did their family life change as a result, and how did this impact the family,
was the change easy or not?
• Option 3: How might health outcomes be affected by religious practices of
members of varying religions in the United States? Are there other behaviors,
outside of formal religious practice or formal religious ceremonial observances,
such as dietary requirements or other behavioral requirements of members of
religious institutions in the United States that might affect their health, either
directly or indirectly?
Sample Solution
The family
The family is the first and most important social institution that we experience. It can have a profound impact on our health, both positive and negative.
- Positive impacts: Families can provide us with love, support, and a sense of belonging. They can also teach us healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
- Negative impacts: Families can also be a source of stress and conflict. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, and drug use.
- Positive impacts: Schools can teach us about healthy living and provide us with opportunities to participate in physical activity. They can also help us to develop healthy relationships with our peers.
- Negative impacts: Schools can also be a source of stress and bullying. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as eating disorders and depression.
- Positive impacts: Religious beliefs can provide us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life. They can also encourage us to engage in healthy behaviors, such as prayer and meditation.
- Negative impacts: Religious beliefs can also be a source of stress and conflict. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse and self-harm.
- The family: A study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that children who live in single-parent households are more likely to be obese than children who live in two-parent households. This is likely due to a number of factors, including the fact that single parents may have less time to cook healthy meals and less money to buy healthy food.
- The educational system: A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that students who are bullied are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. This is likely due to the stress and trauma of being bullied.
- Religion: A study by the Pew Research Center found that people who are religious are more likely to report being in good health than people who are not religious. This is likely due to a number of factors, including the fact that religion can provide people with a sense of purpose and community, and it can encourage them to engage in healthy behaviors.