Symbolic Interactionism: Interpreting Medicine Without A License

The act I have chosen to explain is practicing medicine without a license. Symbolic Interactionism is the sociological perspective of how people interact and use symbols and language to make sense of their society in everyday life (Conerly, et al.). In this perspective, there is more of a focus on how deviance can vary through different societal groups, as what is considered deviant can vary from one society and culture to another. In the United States, a medical license is a symbol of a medical professional being skilled and knowledgeable. However, in other countries this is not always the case, like the common use of midwives who typically do not carry advanced medical degrees or licenses and do not have knowledge. This act shows how what is considered deviant can vary from one society to another by highlighting how in other countries this is considered incredibly deviant, but other countries and cultures could be more accepting of this behavior.
This perspective views acts of deviance as a way to define proper behavior in situations. This act in the United States cannot be functional for macro society. Using this perspective, medical licensing and medical exams developed in this society to meet the needs of individuals seeking medical treatment. A medical license ensures that an individual is getting proper care from a professional who knows what they are doing. Making this deviant behavior a dysfunction is a social process that has undesirable consequences (Conerly, et al). This is a dysfunction in how the individuals being treated by the person without a medical license end up hurt, sick, or seriously injured. In addition, the person who is practicing without a medical license could face serious jail time and