GLOBAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Global social problems have become more evident because: Global social problems have become more evident because: The speed and scope of worldwide communication has increased our awareness of such problems The speed and scope of worldwide communication has increased our awareness of such problems

Changing values makes us more concerned about problems in our own society and how these might be linked to global issues and patterns Changing values makes us more concerned about problems in our own society and how these might be linked to global issues and patterns We simply know more now than we used to about most everything including social issues We simply know more now than we used to about most everything including social issues

For social scientists the idea that we can solve global social problems are based on two assumptions: For social scientists the idea that we can solve global social problems are based on two assumptions:

It is possible to discover the causes of a problem It is possible to discover the causes of a problem Once the causes are discovered than we will be able to do something about them that eliminates, reduces or alters the problem Once the causes are discovered than we will be able to do something about them that eliminates, reduces or alters the problem

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts and hurricanes have a greater or lesser effect on humans depending on social conditions. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts and hurricanes have a greater or lesser effect on humans depending on social conditions. Thus these disasters are partly social problems with partly social causes and social solutions. Thus these disasters are partly social problems with partly social causes and social solutions.

Inadequate Housing and Homelessness some variables: Inadequate Housing and Homelessness some variables:

Self-housing in the developing world: a solution? Self-housing in the developing world: a solution? Grassroots organizing (construction), business involvement (land sales at lower cost), state aid (infrastructure) Grassroots organizing (construction), business involvement (land sales at lower cost), state aid (infrastructure)

Homelessness: Causes: Homelessness: Causes:

Un/underemployment Un/underemployment Lack of decent low cost housing Lack of decent low cost housing Deinstitutionalizing of those with mental illness or other disabilities Deinstitutionalizing of those with mental illness or other disabilities Cascading calamities of poverty Cascading calamities of poverty

Social Isolation Social Isolation Ill health, lack of medical care Ill health, lack of medical care Solutions of shelters, crime in shelters, too many rules Solutions of shelters, crime in shelters, too many rules

Special problem of street children/runaways Special problem of street children/runaways Abuse in family Abuse in family Poverty, gradual leaving of poverty of home for streets, age 13 Poverty, gradual leaving of poverty of home for streets, age 13

Creativity of street children Creativity of street children A home is a place and people (companionship and care) A home is a place and people (companionship and care) Prejudice against street children (criminals and scam artists) Prejudice against street children (criminals and scam artists) Why? Difficult to justify children living in the streets for anyone with a conscience Why? Difficult to justify children living in the streets for anyone with a conscience

Growing problem: lack of affordable working class or middle class housing Growing problem: lack of affordable working class or middle class housing

Family violence Family violence

What constitutes abuse is very controversial and subject to changing standards What constitutes abuse is very controversial and subject to changing standards

Majority of violence against children is from their own mother (power inequality explanation physical punishment as a way of preparing for a life of inequality) Majority of violence against children is from their own mother (power inequality explanation physical punishment as a way of preparing for a life of inequality) Majority of violence against women is from intimate partner Majority of violence against women is from intimate partner

More likely in situations: More likely in situations: where men control products of family labor (made worse by male unemployment) where men control products of family labor (made worse by male unemployment) final decision making is made by father/husband final decision making is made by father/husband

divorce is difficult for women divorce is difficult for women remarriage is controlled by husband’s kin remarriage is controlled by husband’s kin absence of female work groups absence of female work groups

Some ways researchers have suggested to reduce violent crime: Some ways researchers have suggested to reduce violent crime: Reduce socialization and training for aggression coupled with reducing the likelihood for war Reduce socialization and training for aggression coupled with reducing the likelihood for war Rearing boys with non-violent male role models Rearing boys with non-violent male role models

Reducing wealth inequalities may help reduce crimes against property, theft Reducing wealth inequalities may help reduce crimes against property, theft Promoting gender equality in general Promoting gender equality in general Promote gender equality in household and childcare responsibilities Promote gender equality in household and childcare responsibilities Understanding that violence and aggression teach violence and aggression Understanding that violence and aggression teach violence and aggression

War War

Humans seem to wage war when they fear unpredictable disasters that destroy food supplies or other life necessities. Humans seem to wage war when they fear unpredictable disasters that destroy food supplies or other life necessities.

Some suggestions for ending or curtailing war: Some suggestions for ending or curtailing war:

Participatory democracy, i.e. those with such a system are less likely to wage war on others with such a system. Participatory democracy, i.e. those with such a system are less likely to wage war on others with such a system. Guaranteed internationally organized relief efforts for disasters Guaranteed internationally organized relief efforts for disasters

More emphasis on non-conflictive solutions More emphasis on non-conflictive solutions More education and understanding of those different from us More education and understanding of those different from us

Terrorism has been a constant throughout history. Terrorism has been a constant throughout history. State terrorism has killed more people than all the wars of the 20th century. State terrorism has killed more people than all the wars of the 20th century. Terrorism seems to correlate with totalitarian regimes. Terrorism seems to correlate with totalitarian regimes.