SOC2604_ Sociology Of Families And Social Problems EXAM 2021.

SOC2604_ Sociology Of Families And Social Problems EXAM 2021.“The term “social problem” is usually taken to refer to social conditions that disrupt or damage society—crime, racism, and the like. ... It focuses on how and why people come to understand that some conditions ought to be viewed as a social problem, that is, how they socially construct social problems” (Best, 2019) In this essay we will discuss what is meant by a “social problem” by referring to various aspects that illuminate what constitutes a social problem. Page | 2 Personal vs Social Problems: While personal and social problems may be interlinked for the individual concerned, there are differences between these two types of problems. Personal problems can be defined as a problem whose causes and solutions lie within the person and the immediate environment (Lauer 2004:3). When a person is unemployed, he / she has a personal problem because he / she may not be able to fulfil his / her food, clothing and housing needs. Nevertheless, as South Africa has an official unemployment rate of 26.7% and an elevated unemployment rate (including unemployed persons who are not actively finding employment) of 36.3% at the end of 2017 (Statistics South Africa 2018a:7), then unemployment is a national concern or a social challenge whose roots and remedies lie beyond the person and the immediate context. The public is beginning to feel that unemployment and its consequences (such as crime and poverty) pose a threat to the general wellbeing of the population , resulting in a public debate on the possible causes and solutions to these ills (Sullivan 2000:4; Lauer 2004:3). Consequently, the distinction between these two types of problems lies in the way in which the causes and consequences of the problem are perceived and in the appropriate way to deal with it (Lauer 2004:4). The distinction between a personal and a social issue is not always apparent. Typically, when one describes it as a personal problem, such as depression or homelessness, the assumption is that a cure should be sought at an individual level. However, when defining something as a social problem, there is a need for collective action outside the individual. Aspects such as extreme poverty, homelessness, environmental pollution and violence become societal challenges and solving these issues is beyond the individual's control. (Study Guide; pg62,63) Defining a social problem: Lauer (2004:7) suggests that a mixture of various ideas will help us better understand social issues. Under this respect, he finds three classical approaches under sociology, including structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. Since there are contradictions between the elements, there are opposing phenomena within the same social system. When these contradictions are seen as incompatible with the “desired quality of life”, a social problem exists. Hence, not all contradictions are necessarily social problems, but only those contradictions that prevent the desired quality of life (Lauer, 2004:8). (Study Guide; pg68) In other words, there is a social problem when pressure on an influential group or a significant number of people in society is made aware that a Page | 3 certain social condition poses a threat to their values, and they believe that the problem can be resolved through collective action. Awareness of a social condition: A social condition refers to the social, economic and political factors, including the built environment, that strongly shape and form the circumstances in which people live and work. Social conditions include not only the characteristics of people and families, such as employment, earnings, educational achievement, family composition, housing and transport services, but also the characteristics of neighbourhoods, such as the severity and extent of poverty, crime levels, the accessibility of safe places to play and exercise and the availability of transportation to work that offers a living wage. A pressure group defines a problem: Normally, a pressure / influential group of individuals in society defines a condition as an issue. Such people have a major effect on national discourse and can guide law and policies in a certain way. They are political parties, dominant or rural cultural, racial or religious groups. Values and norms under threat: Values refer to the common understanding of society as to what is acceptable and moral. Such as the preservation of life. Certain norms that culminate in rules, such as regulations and legislation. Murder and assault, prohibited by law and punishment, such as imprisonment, may be imposed. Not all the ideals of communities are equally significant. For example, some say abortion is murder, others say it is the choice of pregnant women. Belief that social problems can be solved by a collective action: This is the belief that social problems such as unemployment and poverty can be mitigated if the government intervenes through job creation and skills development. Some believe that AIDS can be resolved through joint action by governments, employers, health institutions and public cooperation. Page | 4 Conclusion: In conclusion, it is clear that social problems are a subjective construct and that not all members of society agree about whether a situation is a problem. Society is typically an entity that recognizes a issue, but it is a political community that determines it, with a view of concerted intervention to do something about it. Page | 5 Nabeela Khan STUDENT NO: SOC2604 – EXAM Reference list: 1. Best, J., 2019. Social Problems. [online] Oxford Bibliographies. Available at: 2020]. 2. E. n.d. Social Issue. [online] Available at: 3. Health and Human Rights Journal. 2010. Social Conditions, Health Equity, And Human Rights. [online] Available at: 4. Tutorial Letter 501/3/2020. SOC2604. Sociology of Families and Social Problems Page | 6 Page | 7 Table of Contents Table of contents 1 Introduction 2 The Epidemiology of AIDS & South African AIDS scenario 3 Unequal distribution of health care services, Curative medicine and preventative medicine & Unequal access to health care 4 Conclusion 5 Reference list 6