1. What is a Social Problem?

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Sociological Perspectives How You Explain Problems in Society

5. Sociological Perspectives Functionalist Perspective (Institutions) –Societies are always changing and have to adapt to new conditions; failure to adapt leads to probs. We all have statuses Has rules on how people should behave = roles Acts in ways that reflect basic values Statuses + roles = institutions (Health Care, Ed., courts) –Origins: INSTITUTIONS FAILED! Social Disorg. –Theories Social Pathology – 1800s and 1900s Social Disorganization – Normlessness, culture conflict, breakdown –Remedy: Improve Institutions; create new orgs

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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