23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

demand high status and rewards for service. This
monopoly ls protected by legislation, and entry to the
profession is restricted by the social boundaries of
entrance qualifications and an extended training Its
autonomy within this market is justified by its philosophy
of public service and altruism, and its self-policing
mechanisms ( Friedson 1983, Turner 1985, Abbot and
Wallace 1991). Although most I commonly seen as a
position to be achieved, more recent study has focused
on professionalisation, the process by which
occupations attain and retain professional status
(Friedson 1983, Turner 1987). A good example of the
process of professionalisation can be found in the
history of the Medical profession in Britain.
In Europe there were originally only three professional
arising out of the medieval universities; law, the clergy
1269
and medicine, These professions held high status social
positions without any challenge until well into the
nineteenth century. At this time in Great Britain and the
USA, the new middle class occupations began to realise
the status, tradition and financial benefits of the three
professions. Aided by the laissez-faire style of
government and small civil service, certain occupations
seeking secure and privileged positions sought and
achieved state support for an exclusiory shelter in open
market. These occupations also mimicked the existing
professions by organising their own training and
crediting institutions and attempted to legitimise their
efforts by assuring disinterested dedication and a
specialised learning (Freidson 1983),
Apart from the Medical profession, healthcare in Brítain
at this time consisted mostly of locally based and