Studying Social Problems Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

What is a Social Problem Anyway? Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

“A social problem is a social condition that a segment of society views as harmful to members of society, and is need of remedy” (Mooney, Knox, and Schacht, 2017, p. 5). Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills) Our personal lives are interwoven with a society’s history. Private troubles are public issues embedded in a society’s organization and culture. Source: History in Pictures

Wait, Why Do Social Problems Exist? Structural Functionalism Society is a stable organism with functioning interrelated parts To maintain stability, society forces social control over people When there is a dysfunction in one part of society this affects other parts of society Anomie occurs when people have weak social ties due to societal disorganization and weak social controls

Wait, Why Do Social Problems Exist? Conflict Theory Society is in a constant power struggle over valuable resources and opposing interests Dominant group is in a position of power to exploit minority group Inequalities are embedded in society especially the economic capitalist system Alienation occurs when people experience powerlessness over their lives and work

Wait, Why Do Social Problems Exist? Symbolic Interactionism Language is used to communicate meanings and interactions Social construction of reality occurs when people create a shared meaning of life Moral entrepreneurs influence our ideas about what is labeled as good and bad Positive and negative labels shape our self- identities and how we interact with others

“A social problem negatively impacts a large number of people in a society, is embedded within the social structure of a society, and there is widespread agreement about its problematic nature” (R. Pires). Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

So, How Are Social Problems Recognized? Herbert Blumer’s Social Problems Stages Societal Recognition Social Legitimation Mobilization of Action Development and Implementation of a Plan Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

Ok. Well, How Do Sociologists Study Social Problems? Source: Odd Stuff Magazine

Paddling Our Way Through the Semester: Economic Issues Up Next https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF8DtZ0n81w