Final answer:
The concept of medicalization came to prominence post-World War II, influenced by shifts in public health approaches and the growing domain of medical expertise over life conditions. It involved pathologizing behaviors and conditions that were not previously medical issues, evidenced by changes in views on alcoholism and women's health. Societal and theoretical examinations highlight the transformation of 'bad' behavior into 'sick' behavior, reflecting the evolving role of medicine in daily life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of medicalization came to prominence in the twentieth century, particularly following the post-World War II era. This was a time when medicine began to expand its domain of expertise, pathologizing many behaviors and conditions that were previously seen as within the sphere of normal human variation or moral responsibility. Medicalization refers to the process by which certain behaviors or conditions come to be defined and treated as medical problems, requiring the intervention of health professionals and the use of medical resources.
Theories in sociology have critically examined medicalization as a social construct, with the label of 'sick' being applied to previously non-medical issues, which can subsequently be demedicalized, as societal attitudes change. The medicalization of deviance is a component of this larger process, where 'bad' behavior is reconceptualized as 'sick' behavior. By the latter half of the twentieth century, with the rise of health insurance, hospital mergers, and mass production models in healthcare, the medicalization of life became an even more prominent feature of society, influencing how conditions are treated and shaping the patient's experience within the healthcare system.