The Problems with Social Problems What to do With Them

There will always be social problems Utopias don’t exist – Preference of the Problem Easy fixes don’t exist – Permanence of the Problem Utopia garden of eden Weather pic Historical progression of problem That’s why they continue to be a PROBLEM – Persistence of the Problem

Solutions do not come easy Not everyone agrees on the problem – Law of Personal Versus Social Not everyone agrees on the solution – Law of Multiple Proposals Fixes to one thing create problems with another – Law of Unintended Consequences

Thus the true title of this course UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Understanding Social Problems Understand the issues Analyze the proposals Evaluate the Solution Objective Reality of the problem Subjective Reality of the situation Be mindful of your World View Manifest Intentions Latent Consequences Dysfunctional aspects Study past efforts at the problem Measure the results against the intentions Modify the plan as results develop

Will We EVER solve social problems