What is a Social Problem Definition A condition

What is a Social Problem?

• Definition: A condition that is considered to be threatening to the quality of life and the cultural values of society. • Criteria for Social Problems: – Pervasiveness: spread throughout – Visibility: most people have to see it as a problem; have to be aware of it. – Remedy: has to be agreement that the problem should be fixed and that they CAN fix it.

Types of Social Problems • Social Deviance – Mental illness, Sexual variance, Substance abuse, Crime and Violence • Social Inequality – Poverty, Prejudice and Discrimination, Sexism, Ageism • Social Institutions – Family, Education, Economy, Corporate America, Urban problems, Technology

Sociological Perspectives How You Explain Problems in Society

Sociological Perspectives • Functionalist Perspective (Institutions) – Society is a vast organism whose parts are interrelated: • Agrees on roles • Has rules on how people should behave • Acts in ways that reflect basic values – Social Probs result when disruptions to this system. – Origins: INSTITUTIONS FAILED! Social Disorg. – Theories • Social Pathology – 1800 s and 1900 s • Social Disorganization – Normlessness, culture conflict, breakdown – Remedy: Improve Institutions; create new orgs

• Conflict Perspectives – Problems are a result of in=ities b/wn social groups. – Social conflicts result from contradictions in the organization of society (have and nots) – Theories • Marxian; conflicts b/c of access to wealth and power • Value; conflicts b/c of differences in values – Remedies = Social Movements

• Interactionists Perspective – Soc Probs are subjective! – Deviants are not defined by what they do but by how society reacts to their actions. – Origin: A person’s or gp’s def of the situation tells them there is a prob, and they label it. – Theories • Labeling; conflicts b/c groups benefit from labeling others • Resocialization; institutions, actors w/in tell us what is a problem = some probs dominate. – Remedy: Resocialization, change definition

Stages of Social Change 1. Emergence – There is a perception, small or widespread, that things are not right 2. Legitimacy– investigations, proposals for reform, creation of agencies to respond to claims 3. Return of demands– original group wants more…; appeal to a wider public and press 4. Rejection– official response is not good enough (b/c of poor leadership, loss of $, repression by gvmts/those in power). Seek their own orgs… or sometimes completion