Who Is Cockerham's Four Social Structural Factors?

Our health is affected by socioeconomic status along with the types of behaviors and lifestyles associated with such statuses. We are socialized to make certain behaviors a habit, and habits have a big influence in our health. Therefore, the way we are socialized and where we are in the social ladder really affect the kind of health habits that we develop. Cockerham points out four social structural factors that shape health life styles; class circumstances, age, gender, and race/ethnicity, collectivities, and living conditions (Cockerham 2016, p.151). Cockerham’s four social structural factors stem from the theories of Bordieu and Weber, in which Weber emphasizes class and status affecting health by consumption and Bordieu emphasizes that …show more content…
Bordieu points out the habitus phenomenon, stating that we are disposed to act out certain behaviors, and we do this according to social class. Bourdieu also points out that there is a “distance from necessity” effect on habitus, meaning that people will become accustomed to habits that are more easily disposable. Behaviors we take on regarding our health include preventative health behaviors, self-care, such as home remedies, eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep and getting enough exercise. Health behaviors are more of how we are socialized to perform everyday activities in order to maintain health. Lower class individuals will develop unhealthier habits throughout their lives because they do not have the means to obtain better resources. Good resources include access to healthier food, access to a local gym, leisure time to participate in physical activity, or even leisure time to just have time to relax and get more sleep/destress. Bourdieu’s “distance from necessity” insight supports the fact that the lower class tend to eat unhealthier foods because they have more access to fast food restaurants that are cheap and