Debate: The Medicalization of Childhood Psychiatric Illness

Abstract

Medicalization is the process by which human problems or experiences become defined as medical problems with medical solutions. The goal of this in-class activity is to enable students to apply and evaluate a contemporary example of medicalization to better understand the driving forces and social implications of medicalization. The medicalization of...

Download this resource to see full details. Download this resource to see full details.

Details

Subject Area(s):

Medical Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

Time Required:
60 minutes for video (preferred in-class but can be assigned to watch at home);
60 minutes for debate


Materials:
Debate worksheet
Video: Frontline’s "Medicating Kids"
Paper slips for voting
(Optional) Grading rubric


Preparation:
Prior to class, have students read at least one seminal...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Apply the concept of medicalization to a contemporary social issue.
2. Identify the various institutional driving forces of medicalization.
3. Critically evaluate the social implications of medicalization.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students will apply the concept of medicalization to ADHD medication use among children by taking notes during the video and engaging in a class debate.
2. During class debate, students are expected to apply how institutions of education, medicine, government, and family are related to the medicalization of childhood mental illness.
3. During class debate, students are expected to incorporate implications of medicalization of childhood psychiatric disorders on affected children and families into argument.