1. How Sociologists View Social Problems
The Abortion Dilemma

2. The Sociological Imagination
“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society.” – C. Wright Mills

3. The Sociological Imagination
Seeing people’s behavior and attitudes in the context of the social forces that affect their lives
Our person troubles are a result of the public condition

4. The Sociological Imagination
Also referred to as the sociological perspective
Social location
Where we are located in society
Predictions based on social location reference the group, not the individual

5. Social Problem
Aspect of society that a large number of people are concerned about and would like to see changed.

6. Characteristics of Social Problems
Objective concerns
Abortion
Whether abortions are legal
Who obtains abortions
Why they have abortions
Number of abortions
Can be measured or experienced

7. Characteristics of Social Problems
Subjective Concerns
Abortion
Some women may have unwanted children
Some women terminate their pregnancy
Concerns that a significant number of people (or a number of significant people) have about the objective concern

8. Characteristics of Social Problems
Roe v. Wade
Before decision
Illegality
Back alley abortion
After decision
Legality
Changing the law
Dynamic
Respond to changes in society
Take shape as groups interact with one another

9. Characteristics of Social Problems
Relative
What is a solution to some, might be a problem for others
Based on values

10. Natural History of Social Problems
Defining the problem
Crafting an official response
Reacting to official response
Pursuing alternative stategies

11. Studying Social Problems
Surveys
Case studies
Experiments
Field studies

12. Gathering information
Interviews
Questionaires
Documents
Observations