Abstract

Far from being new, the phenomenon of medicalization has become an increasingly emerging reality in Western societies. Based on the avowal of a biologicist and geneticist perspective on education, the breadth that this phenomenon is attaining, particularly in terms of children and young people of school age, is alarming. In Portugal, the number of children and young people treated for disorders - such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, etc. - is increasing and tends to reveal the difficulty of answering educationally to the demands of a democratic school and therefore “for all”. 

Concerns due to the effects of this phenomenon of medicalization gave rise to the development of the “Circle of Studies and Intervention in the Medicalization of Education”, in which participate a number of people of different affiliations and disciplines that share the same concerns. This Study Circle began its activity four years ago and is based at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto. It is a result of its activity, and after the release of the Manifesto, signed and commented internationally, that this round-table is held through a collaboration with CES.

Thus, this round-table intends to boost the meeting of researchers and professionals towards the analysis and discussion of the phenomenon of medicalization of behaviours of social and educational nature. The intention is to put into perspective the main implications of the phenomenon based on the experience of the participants in this event. Further, it is expected that this round table provide conditions to reflect critically on strategies and policies, in several areas of intervention, with particular influence in promoting the quality of life of people whose experiences permeate in one way or another, the process of medicalization.

Participants: João Arriscado Nunes, Joaquim Luís Coimbra, Sofia Castanheira Pais. Alexandre Lucca.
Moderation: Rosa Nunes

Free entrance - no registration required

Bio note

Sofia Castanheira Pais  is a postdoctoral researcher in the Centre for Social Studies and her research project is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BPD/86182/2012). She has a PhD in Education Sciences and a postgraduate qualification in Psychology Education and Development with a specialization on Early Intervention and Special Education in the Preschool Context by University of Porto. Between 2012 and 2013, she was the technical coordinator of the Center for Studies of the Academic Federation of Porto, where she developed work in educational policies in higher education field.

Since 2012, she is the director of the Portuguese League for Social Prophylaxis, a non-profit organization engaged in promoting public health. Her main research and academic interests focuses on subjects such as health education, youth, participation and the medicalization of educational behaviors.

Activity within the Research Group on Science, Economy and Society (NECES)