Omar Bennett
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies and their members. While the basic definition of a social issue as a problem facing society is generally agreed upon, there is no uniform methodology to differentiate social issues from other problems. Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies, and perceptions of social problems can change over time. Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem. Social problems emerge when a social change group successfully calls attention to a condition or behavior that it considers serious and in need of remedy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by | Societies |
| Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem | N/A |
| Social problems emerge when a social change group successfully calls attention to a condition or behavior that it considers serious | Social change groups, news media, influential politicians |
| Social problems are any condition or behavior that has | Negative consequences for large numbers of people |
| Social problems are generally recognized as needing to be addressed | N/A |
| Social problems have both an objective and subjective component | N/A |
| Social problems are constructed differently from state to state | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies
- Powerful individuals and groups can influence what is considered a social problem
- Social problems are subjective and depend on the speaker's purpose and audience
- Social problems are persistent but can change over time
- Social problems are addressed by social change groups, the news media, or politicians
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies
The perception of social problems is influenced by various factors, including social identity, location, and powerful individuals or groups, who can shape public opinion to benefit their interests. For example, in 2019, New York and Georgia passed opposing laws regarding abortion, demonstrating how different states can have contrasting views on what constitutes a social problem.
The concept of social problems is generally understood as conditions or behaviours with negative consequences for large numbers of people, requiring systemic solutions. However, there is no uniform methodology for differentiating social issues from other problems, such as economic or political ones. The labelling of a condition as a "social issue" often depends on the speaker's perspective and purpose, with economists and sociologists approaching the same problem, like unemployment, from distinct angles.
Social problems are constructed through a process that involves "emergence and claims-making", where social entities, such as the media or politicians, draw attention to an issue, attempting to influence public perception and government action. This is followed by the "legitimacy" stage, where empirical evidence is presented to support claims, and the "alternative strategies" stage, where groups may develop their own approaches if their initial claims are unsuccessful.
The subjective nature of social problems means that reasonable people can disagree on their existence, extent, and seriousness. Data accumulation from various sources, including academic researchers and government agencies, plays a crucial role in providing evidence of extensive and serious consequences. Over time, perceptions of social problems can shift, and what was once considered acceptable may be deemed problematic, as illustrated by the example of a woman being ejected from a New York court in 1960 for wearing pants, which would be unlikely to occur today.
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Powerful individuals and groups can influence what is considered a social problem
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies. While the basic definition of a social issue is a problem facing society, there is no uniform methodology to differentiate social issues from other problems. The subjective perspective of the speaker and their purpose in addressing a certain audience are key factors in defining a social issue. For instance, an economist and a sociologist might both write about unemployment, but from different angles.
Social influence occurs when individuals internalize group norms, which shape their self-definition, attitudes, and behaviors. Social learning and imitation play a significant role in this process, especially when observing the behaviors and norms of those similar to oneself. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to social influence when exposed to the behaviors and norms of their peers.
Social media platforms, controlled by conglomerates like Meta, have come under scrutiny for their influence on society, from censorship and content control to their impact on fashion, food, health, news, and community action. Social media has also provided a platform for cyberbullying and the spread of misinformation.
The concept of social problems is not static and can change over time and location. For example, perceptions of sexual violence and attention to rape and sexual assault in the United States have evolved significantly since the 1970s. While acts of sexual violence have occurred throughout history, legal policymakers previously ignored the issue.
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Social problems are subjective and depend on the speaker's purpose and audience
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies and their members. Powerful individuals and groups can influence what a society believes to be a social problem. For instance, in 1960, Lois Rabinowitz was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. In 2019, a federal judge struck down a similar dress code, claiming it was discriminatory toward females.
The perception of social problems is subjective and can change over time and location. For example, the perception of sexual violence against women has changed over time, with acts of sexual violence being largely ignored by legal policymakers before the 1970s. Similarly, the perception of climate change as a social problem has changed over time, with a decrease in the number of people who believe it is caused by human activity between 2006 and 2018.
The identification of social problems is influenced by the speaker's purpose and audience. For instance, an economist and a sociologist may both write about unemployment. However, the economist might focus on technical factors, while the sociologist might explore the consequences of high unemployment in specific communities.
Social problems are also shaped by social welfare, with various factors contributing to their complexity. They often arise from the interaction of individuals, with people learning problematic behaviors from others. Social problems can be persistent, but they can also change over time, becoming less serious.
The process of addressing social problems typically involves a "social entity," such as a social change group, the news media, or influential politicians, bringing attention to a condition or behavior they perceive as undesirable and in need of a solution. This is followed by efforts to influence public perceptions and persuade the government to take action.
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Social problems are persistent but can change over time
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies and their members. While the basic definition of a social issue is a problem facing society, there is no uniform methodology to differentiate social issues from other problems. For instance, in the case of unemployment, an economist might focus on the technical factors that increase unemployment, while a sociologist might focus on the consequences of high unemployment in certain communities.
The perception of social problems can change over time and location. For example, in the 1970s, acts of sexual violence against women were largely ignored by legal policymakers, whereas today, they are considered a serious social problem. Similarly, in 1960, a woman was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. In 2019, a federal judge struck down a similar dress code, claiming it was unconstitutional and discriminatory.
The emergence and claims-making stage of a social problem involve a social entity, such as a social change group, the news media, or influential politicians, calling attention to a condition or behavior they perceive as undesirable and in need of remedy. They try to influence public perceptions and propose solutions. Once a social group succeeds, they usually try to persuade the government to take action, presenting empirical evidence to back their claims.
Social problems are persistent, but they do evolve over time, and some have become less serious. Multiple factors contribute to the complexity of social problems, and solutions typically need to be systemic in nature, addressing the root causes rather than merely blaming the victims.
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Social problems are addressed by social change groups, the news media, or politicians
Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies and their members. Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem. For instance, in the United States, the perception of sexual violence against women as a social problem changed after the 1970s. While men were sometimes arrested and prosecuted for rape and sexual assault before the 1970s, sexual violence was otherwise ignored by legal policymakers. The subjective perception of what constitutes a social problem can change over time and location.
Social problems are also addressed by policy makers and politicians. For example, in 2019, New York passed the "Reproductive Health Act," which reduced restrictions on abortion in the state. A few months later, Georgia became the first of several states to pass laws imposing strict restrictions on abortion, including in cases of rape and incest. These differing laws demonstrate how social constructions of what constitutes a social problem vary from state to state.
The news media also plays a crucial role in addressing social problems. They can raise awareness and influence public opinion, as well as put pressure on governments and policymakers to take action. For instance, in 1960, Lois Rabinowitz was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. Decades later, in 2019, a federal judge struck down a similar dress code at a charter school in North Carolina, claiming that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory toward females. This example illustrates how social problems can be addressed through legal means, influenced by media attention and public opinion.
Finally, social problems are addressed by social reformers, activists, and academics. For example, Jane Addams established Hull House, one of the first settlement houses in the United States, to address social problems. W.E.B. Du Bois used sociological skills to convince people that social injustices were social problems that needed to be addressed. Academics and researchers contribute to the understanding and potential solutions to social problems through empirical studies, data collection, and literature reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Members of society. Social constructions of what is and is not a social problem vary from state to state and can change over time and location.
A social problem is any condition or behaviour that has negative consequences for large numbers of people and is generally recognised as needing to be addressed.
While the basic definition of a social issue as a problem facing society is agreed upon, there is no uniform methodology to differentiate social issues from other problems. The term "social issue" is used subjectively by the speaker.
Social problems emerge when a social change group, the news media, or influential politicians bring attention to a condition or behaviour that it perceives to be undesirable and in need of remedy.
