Role of Men and Women in the Medical System of USA

Subject: Healthcare Research
Pages: 2
Words: 284
Reading time:
2 min
Study level: Bachelor

In the period from 1890 to 1930, the American nation witnessed significant changes that influenced numerous individuals. Medical experts became essential members of society, and they addressed many crucial issues. For example, historical documents demonstrate that women were a focus of many studies and experiments of that time. Thus, appropriate phenomena and external conditions resulted in the fact that health care professionals draw more attention to women than men.

One can say that it is so because women were mainly responsible for childrearing, and that time offered a few essential issues to them. Firstly, the early 20th century brought urbanization and industrialization to the US, which made the country change (Expert advice, social authority, and the medicalization of everyday life, 1890-1930, 2001). As a result, a new social order was emerging, and women required assistance to prepare their children for the future.

Secondly, the development of science undermined the role of religion (Conan, 2003). Consequently, medical experts tried to present evidence-based data instead of spiritual beliefs. Finally, numerous professionals focused on women to improve the health of the population. According to Conan (2003), every sixth child died before they turned five years old, and that fact indicated that children required different attitudes from their mothers.

In conclusion, one should state that the late 19th-early 20th century was the time of changes. That period was accompanied by urbanization, industrialization, and other advancements. That is why it is not a surprise that some adjustments happened in the medical sphere. As a result, a large part of medical studies pertained to women. It can be explained by the fact that they were responsible for bringing up the children who would meet the requirements of the future society.

References

Conan, N. (2003). Raising America. NPR. Web.

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.