In the period from 1890 to 1930, the role of medical experts in society became more significant. As a result, numerous health care professionals were the most suitable individuals to consult concerning various issues, including feeding a family, raising children, and others. Thus, this process was called the medicalization of American society (Expert advice, social authority, and the medicalization of everyday life, 1890-1930, 2001). However, it is also necessary to comment on the conditions that resulted in the given state of affairs.
One can say that the changes that happened to the US at that time caused the new role of medical professionals. Firstly, industrialization and urbanization made citizens witness new opportunities and challenges. As a result, the individuals did not know how to respond to them, and they sought the experts’ assistance. Secondly, open immigration policy also strengthened the role of medical service (Expert advice, social authority, and the medicalization of everyday life, 1890-1930, 2001).
It is so because people of various races came to the USA, and numerous Americans wanted to make sure that the immigrants would not harm their health. Finally, that social order created new job opportunities, means of communication, and other phenomena. Consequently, ordinary people felt adaptation difficulties, and multiple psychologists helped individuals overcome them.
In conclusion, one can say that the increased popularity of medical professionals was explained by social and economic changes that the nation experienced. Consequently, the medicalization of society made the health care experts essential for the population because they could give answers to questions arising from daily lives. That is why these professionals were responsible for the health and lives of numerous individuals who needed expert assistance to cope with new challenges.
Reference
Expert advice, social authority, and the medicalization of everyday life, 1890-1930. (2001). In J. H. Warner & J. A. Tighe (Eds.), Major problems in the history of American medicine and public health: Documents and essays (pp. 159-195). Houghton Mifflin.