Social Problems

Topic 1 Intro to Social Problems

Social problem is a social condition that has negative consequences for individuals, our social world or the physical world.

Problems can threaten social institutions like the family (spousal abuse), the educational system (the rising cost of college tuition). and or the economy: (unemployment/underemployment).

Problems can threaten the physical world like global warming, oil spills, toxic waste, urbanization

The Social Construction of Social Problems

Social problems become social problems when we perceive them to be. Perspective provides insight to how a social condition may be defined as a problem by one segment of society but not by another. In essence, social problems are “in the eye of the beholder”

Objective and Subjective Realities of Social Problems

•Objective reality - comes from acknowledging that a particular social condition exists.

•Subjective reality - addresses how a problem becomes defined as a “problem.” Based on the concept of the Social Construction of Reality which refers to how our world is a social creation.

W. I. Thomas noted that if people define situations as real then they are real in their consequences.

Thomas was explaining that what people believe to be true influences how they act, and those actions produce real outcomes, even if the original belief was false or subjective. In other words reality is not just what exists objectively, it’s also what people think exists.

Everyone does not see the social world exactly the same. What do you see in the images below. We are all looking at the exact same images but we all may see different things.

This famous image is called The Forrest Has Eyes by Bev Doolittle. There are supposed to be 13 hidden faces in this image. How many can you find. I use this image to symbolize the social world. Each person looking at the image may focus on different things. This is why there are so many different sociological theories. Each theorist looking at society or social behaviors focuses in on a different issue.

Sociological Theories and Social Problems

Stages of Becomming a Social Problem

According to Spector & Kituse, 1987 there are several stages an issue goes through before it may officially be called a social problem.

•Stage 1- Transformation process – transforming a private trouble into a public issue.

•Stage 2- Legitimization process – formalizing the manner in which the social problems or complaints generated by the problem are handled.

•Stage 3- Conflict stage – readjusting, renegotiating, and reorganizing the formal response system.

•Stage 4- Begins when groups believe that they can no longer work within the established system and must either radically change the system or work outside it.

Assignment #2

Readings

Chapter 1 Understanding Social Problems

Assignment #1: Create a list of your 10 most pressing social issues, and discuss why these issues are important or why we should see them as social problems. Explain why the items you selected are problems we should care about. Are there already groups making claims about the problems you listed? Also discuss the consequences of not addressing the problems on your list. If you use data or statistics from outside sources, please site your sources.
- You may not use AI to create your list. I want you to spend five minutes and think about the social world.
Assignment #2 Discussion Post: Post your list of social problems and briefly tell your classmates why the issues you selected are important. What are your most pressing social problems? Were you surprised by your peer’s responses? During this first discussion we will get to know each other and talk about the social construction of social problems. See canvas for additional discussion questions.
How did you compare on Ranker on a few issues. (link posted on the syllabus