Social Problem
Social Location and the Role it plays with regard to Social Problems
Social location illustrates the groups that human beings belong to due to their position in society. The social class is categorized according to aspects such as age, religion, gender, race, tribe, sexual orientation, ability, and/or geographic location. Social location points out how we view ourselves as well as how other people perceive us. This factor contributes to social problems because it gives expectations on how people are supposed to behave. The society in which people exist creates these expectations. If the anticipations are not met, social problems can arise.
Social Problem
A social problem is any situation that has undesirable repercussions to a large number of people. People cause this problem regardless of whether their actions are deliberate or unintentional. In most cases, it is perceived that the people who cause the problem are not affected. However, it is clear that they also suffer the consequences of their actions (Bangs & Davis, 2015). However, not all negative conditions and behaviors are considered social problems.
Components of Social Problem
A social problem consists of both objective and subjective components. Any aspect that society can make without bias, which affects it in a negative manner, is also categorized as the objective component of a social problem. Honest social problems are those where people have agreed that it is indeed a social problem and that something can be done to solve it. Such problems affect every member of society. Objective components directly influence the way individuals behave in society. The subjective component is characterized by the perception that any condition that is regarded as a social problem can be addressed. A social problem could change over time. For example in countries where racism is rampant, people could be taught how to live with each other harmoniously.
Societies have similar social problems. World societies are affected by the same problems. For example, in America, there is a large population characterized by poverty and crime. The same case applies to Africa. This state of affairs is a clear indication that human beings share many characteristics. The difference is only seen in the way they solve their problems. For a condition to qualify as a social problem, it has to have consequences that affect a large number of people. For instance, high tax rates, death, increased crime, and unemployment have significant effects on the human population. The consequences can affect people in different ways either directly or indirectly.
Stages of a Social Problem
Claiming the problem
A social problem begins when a social activity starts to have consequences and in need of a remedy. In this stage, the public is influenced and their perceptions about the problems and possible solutions are raised. Social problems emerge when a group of people come together and call attention to the condition. Due to a lack of resources, some social entities are more likely to survive as compared to others.
Legitimacy
Once the problem has been identified, people try to persuade the authorities (government) to take the necessary action towards the matter. In most cases, people convince the government to contribute to solving the problem if they have enough evidence. In this stage, the public knows what is going on through newspapers, radio, and television.
Renewed Claims
In this stage, if the government or the concerned authority does not take the necessary action toward the social problem, the social change groups decide to raise their problems afresh. They achieve this objective by criticizing the government for the failure to take action.
Alternative Strategies
If the government does not assist them in solving the problem, the social groups choose to come up with their strategies to address the problem. An example of a social problem is unemployment. It is in the last stage (alternative strategies) because people or social groups have tried pleading with the government to create job opportunities, but the problem has not been resolved. People have opted to find another strategy to solve the problem by becoming self-employed where they venture into private businesses (Bangs & Davis, 2015).
Difference between Income and Wealth
Income is the flow of money anticipated to be earned in a given period. Income mainly goes to factors that contribute to production. For example, profits that flow into the business, wages, salaries, rental income for people who lease property, and interest paid to those who have deposit accounts. On the other hand, wealth is money that has been saved or accumulated for a long period. Wealth can be accumulated in different ways. For example, life insurance schemes, ownership of property, ownership of shares, savings deposited in banks.
The relation between Wealth and Social Problems
In today’s society, there is a great gap between the rich and poor. The emergence of social problems depends on the size of the gap. The most significant problem in the world is economic inequality. People who live in areas with high-income inequality have a high risk of premature health, age, gender, and/or economic status.
Alcohol Abuses as a Social Problem
Alcohol is vastly used in the world, and if it is overused then it is said to be misused or abused. When it is misused, it has effects on the abuser as well as society. With the abuse of alcohol, problems begin to show at a very early age mostly to the abuser who fails to take personal responsibility.
Alcohol Consumption and the Workplace
When one is an alcoholic, the level of productivity becomes low with time. People who abuse alcohol have a higher rate of sickness leaves as compared to other employees. This situation affects the society if the behavior continues. The abuser ends unemployment and/or crime.
Alcohol Consumption and the Family
Alcohol misuse can bring about negative consequences to the family. For example, it impairs a person as a parent, spouse, or partner since the abusers fail to fulfill their responsibilities. If a mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy, the baby can have fetal alcohol syndrome.
Alcohol and Domestic Violence
Alcohol has been identified as a risk factor for violence between husbands and wives. It is suggested that spousal and alcohol abuse are relatable due to intoxication. In the United States, alcohol and drug abuse account for approximately 80% of cases that are related to domestic violence (Bangs & Davis, 2015).
In conclusion, alcohol consumption affects society. If a person is not active in the family or workplace, society ends up losing a person who can contribute to the growth of society. This situation adds up to the list of social problems affecting societal development.
Reference
Bangs, R., & Davis, L. (2015). Race and Social Problems: Restructuring Inequality. New York, NY: Springer.