 |
|
Dialogues@RU is published
annually
by the
Writing Program at
Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey
Volume 4
Fall 2005
The Clockwork of Attention Deficit Disorder: Mechanisms in Illusion - Page 8
By Xiaolei Shi
Upon observing what is implied by the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, the process of socialization comes to mind. What is not subject to debate is that socialization - the process of integration into society by conforming to these standards of conduct- is an essential component of education and personal development, that is, if that someone intends to be successful and competitive in everyday tasks. What is clearly subjective, and thus open to discussion, is whether or to what extent society should resort to coercion- specifically in the form of institutionalization and medication - in enforcing behavioral standards. Such difficult questions are raised in Xiaolei Shi's analysis, which is primarily concerned with determining whether ADD is a product of medical science or ideology. Structuring his argument around the debate of ideology versus science, Shi integrates the opinions of various experts on the topic into his text; subjecting them to a rigorous analysis, he strikes at the core issues of this controversy. Furthermore, he explores the dialectical relationship between the process of socialization and medical intervention. In his investigation, Shi presents the issues of the ADD controversy in a systematic and comprehensive manner, criticizing the current, often superficial methods of diagnosis and treatment, to further the cause of ADD awareness.