The Body in Question: A Socio-Cultural Approach

• Author: Alan Petersen

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 176

• ISBN: 9780415321624

• Language: English

• Release Date: 14-12-2006

• Package Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches

About The Book

In The Body in Question, Alan Petersen critically examines why contemporary societies are experiencing strong academic and popular interest in the body. Drawing from a socio-cultural perspective, the book explores how our conceptions of the body are shaped by forces such as individualization, medicalization, and commodification. Petersen delves into significant themes such as the mind-body dualism and how it impacts our understanding of health, normality, and identity.

The book addresses various key questions, including the effects of biomedical technologies on our understanding of the natural body, the role of the media in framing body-related issues, and the consumer-driven impact on concepts like health, healing, and self-care. Furthermore, it also explores efforts to integrate the mind and body, offering insightful perspectives on body classification and the pursuit of body perfection.

The Body in Question is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the profound social, cultural, and political significance of the body in contemporary society, and is especially relevant for scholars, students, and professionals in the fields of sociology, medical anthropology, and cultural studies.