网络成瘾何以医学化——基于家长作用的视角

中国社会的青少年网络成瘾问题近年来引起多学科的共同关注。从社会学的视角来看,青少年网络成瘾问题最初是作为一种网络越轨行为和家庭社会控制问题得以出现。中国青少年网络成瘾医学化的进程,意味着网络成瘾的家庭社会控制演变为医学社会控制,网络成瘾问题逐渐从越轨行为问题转变为临床医学问题。在网络成瘾医学化过程中,网瘾青少年的家长发挥着引擎作用。家长的能动作用分别体现在网络越轨行为初始确认、网络越轨行为非正式医学化、网络越轨行为正式医学化三个递进阶段。在这一过程中,中国社会的家庭权力关系结构清晰再现,并决定着问题的走向。

The Medicalization of Internet Addiction in China: Explanations Based on Parents’ Dynamic Role

The increasing medicalization of deviant behavior and social control is seen in the way Internet Addiction Disorder, a medical label for online-based deviant behaviors in Chinese adolescent has become prevalent in recent years. From the perspective of parents’ role, this article examined the process of medicalizing Internet Addiction in China and argued that the process is the result of three different stages: the identification of online-based deviant behaviors, the informal medicalization of online-based deviant behaviors and the medicalization of online-based deviant behaviors. Parents’ dynamic role can be seen behind both of the three stages. The social ramifications for the medicalization of Internet Addiction Disorder and the hidden family power relationship had been discussed. Parents as the engine of medicalization thus enhanced Peter Conrad’s theory of "engines of medicalization".