What are the strengths and weakenesses of the Parsons sick role ... ?

Talcott Parsons is the most relevant Sociological theorists of today. His Grand theory has huge potentials to explain the various social situations not only the "Sick Role". It is clearly visible that sickness is the manifested dysfunction of the society.

Strengths:

In spite of its short-comings, the idea of the sick role has reached a lot of far-reaching research. It still has a role in the cross-cultural comparison of ways in which time-out from normal duties can be achieved or in which deviant behavior may be explained or excused.

Weaknesses:

The model does not examine how the interests of doctor and patient may conflict nor explore how it creates imbalances of power.

Being a patient does not always involved being sick.

The model has no place for abnormal illness behaviours.