Review of Social Problems

Summary

1. A social problem is a social condition or behavior that a segment of society views as harmful and in need of a solution. The condition must negatively impact large numbers of people and a large enough proportion of the public must recognize that harm for the social condition to become a social problem. Thus, social problems differ from personal problems.
2. Most social problems share several characteristics such as existing beyond the experience of one individual, being socially constructed but real in its consequences, and needing interdependent solutions.
3. The objectivist approach to social problems focuses on the reality of the problem through evidence whereas the subjectivist approach relies on the feeling that something is a problem rather than on factual evidence. The constructionist approach recognizes that social problems are social constructs, and is interested in why and how a social condition becomes constructed as a social problem.
4. Sociologists use a six step social problems process to describe how social problems arise and resolve: Claimsmaking in which claims are made about the problem, media coverage in which claimsmakers seek media attention on the problem, public reaction in which the public responds to the claims and media coverage, policymaking in which policies or programs are written to help address the problem, social problems work in which policies/programs are implemented to help address the problem, and policy outcomes in which policies/programs are evaluated and revised to help address the problem.
5. Sources of social change – change that occurs throughout the structure or culture of society – include (but aren't limited to) lessons learned from social science research or theory and from other societies, action taken by individuals such as proposing policy or establishing an organization, action taken by large groups of individuals such as striking or participating in social movements.
6. We all have individual agency to help create social change and address social problems by choosing to take action. When large numbers of us take action together, we're engaging in collective action, which may take the form of participating in a social movement, a sustained and organized effort to bring about social change. Addressing social problems requires a both/and approach: Individual agency and collective action.
7. Interdependence describes how we all rely on each other to survive and thrive. To help address social problems, we may use our interdependent power – the people's power of participation or non-participation in civic, economic, or political areas of social life.
8. Our effective response to social problems strengthens social justice, creating a society that meets everyone’s needs equitably.

  

Questions

1. Select a social problem that interests you – how would you describe how it meets the definition of a social problem as described by Leon-Guerrero?
2. What do you think is the most important social problem facing our nation right now, and why do you think it's the most important?
3. How might the social problem you identified above be viewed through objectivist and subjectivist lenses? Which did you rely on in selecting that problem?
4. Do you agree with the social constructionist view that a negative social condition or behavior is not a social problem unless there is a perception that it should be considered a social problem, and why or why not?
5. Do you share Eleanor Roosevelt’s optimism that social change is possible, and why or why not?
6. How would you explain sexual violence or COVID-19 as a social problem using Best’s model of the Social Problems Process?
7. Using the problem you identified in #1 or 2 above, how might individuals use their agency and engage in collective action to help address that problem, and how might the concept of interdependent power be important for addressing that problem?
8. Jane Addams and Angela Davis took very different actions to create social justice – why do you think that their actions are so different?
9. If you've participated in any volunteer or other activity involving a social problem, why did you do so and what was your experience like? If not, why have you not participated in such an effort?

  

Action Steps

1. Learn and educate: Follow multiple credible news sources (e.g., New York Times, NPR, BBC) to see what claimsmakers are claiming about social problems, investigate the claims using credible sources of data (e.g., peer-reviewed social science research publications, Pew or Gallup polls, nonpartisan research organization reports), and help educate others on the reality of those social problems or conditions.
2. Take action: Explore how you can get involved in various efforts to address social problems by visiting the websites of or calling local nonprofit organizations, select one option of engagement that works with your schedule and responsibilities, and commit to participating in that effort.