Global Perspectives on War, Gender and Health (Global Connections)

Rendering the suffering of the marginalised visible has been an important aspect of feminist sociological studies of health, illness and medicine. The subjective experience of those without access to institutional power - children, people living in poverty and with disability - have been the focus of much research and writing. The systematic use of large-scale violence for political ends is widespread and war constitutes a leading cause of suffering, illness and disability world-wide, and yet medical sociology and anthropology has tended to ignore the issue. Instead sociological approaches to health and medicine have focused on the ways that institutional and professional practices intended to alleviate symptoms of disease have themselves resulted in suffering. This volume analyses the links between suffering caused by the intentionally inflicted violence of war and the suffering unintentionally engendered by modern medicine's processes, establishing a fitting tribute to the academic and campaigning work of Meg Stacey who made gendered subjectivities a central concern of sociology. Meg Stacey asked why medical sociology had not yet tumed its gaze upon the health consequences of war: this volume constitutes an initial response to her challenge. Making use of international case studies in the presentation of an analysis of suffering that transcends conventional disciplinary boundaries, "Intended and Unintended Suffering" will interest those with both empirical and theoretical interests across the social sciences. It will appeal not only to sociologists, but also to those working in the fields of anthropology, social policy, social work, peace, war and security studies, and international development.