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What Is a Social Problem?

What Is a Social Problem?. Social problems are conditions that: Affect the quality of life of a large number of people Affect cherished values Can be remedied Can social Problems really be remedied? Can you think of some examples? (See page 5). What Is a Social Problem?.

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What Is a Social Problem?

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  1. What Is a Social Problem? • Social problems are conditions that: • Affect the quality of life of a large number of people • Affect cherished values • Can be remedied • Can social Problems really be remedied? • Can you think of some examples? (See page 5)

  2. What Is a Social Problem? • Debate in society centers on: • The causes of social problems • Who is responsible for the problem • Solutions to the problem • Applying the sociological imagination….

  3. Perspectives on Social Problems • The Functionalist Perspective • Organic view of society and social problems • Much like the human body is prone to disease and decay, so is the individual and society • Social problem as a violation of moral order • Institutional approaches

  4. Perspectives on Social Problems • The Conflict Perspective • Social problems emerge out of the major contradictions in the way society is organized • Marx and the development of the conflict view • Social problems & emergence of capitalism • Conflict between the capitalists and working class in society • Deviance • Value Conflict

  5. Perspectives on Social Problems • The Interactionist Perspective • Individual level explanation for social problems • Process by which different people define a condition as a social problem • labeling

  6. The Natural History of Social Problems • Malcom Spector and John Kitsuse; Stages • 1: Problem Definition -gain public recognition • 2: Legitimacy - acceptance by official agencies • 3: Reemergence of demands - reasserting demands • 4: Rejection and institution building -forming new organization to solve the problem

  7. The Media and Social Problems • How does the mass media affect social problems? • The media is often the vehicle by which the public becomes aware of social problems • Media and the need for news • Public demand for sensational news stories

  8. Research on Social Problems • How best to address the social problem • Conservatives -limiting governmental involvement in solution to social problems • Private enterprise as a solution • Individual responsibility • Liberals -government intervention in social-welfare institutions as solutions

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