Social Problems in Contemporary

Society

Prof. Marianna Muravyevamuravyevam@gmail.com

http://www.hse.ru/org/persons/112930026

H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)journalist, editor, critic

“For every major problem in this nation, there is a simple solution – and it is wrong

What would you learn?How to define

social problems;

How to apply various concepts, models and theories to social problems;

How to critically think about policy issues.

OR SIMPLY

Uncover and make sense of facts

Theory: Explains how two or more

concepts (or facts) are related, such as age and suicide.

Sociological Theory:Provides a framework for

thinking about a social issue from a perspective that we might otherwise neglect.

You are going to apply these:

To these:

What is a “Social Problem”:

Pro Choice OR Pro Life

organized social protest by “rabblerousers”OR

blind obedience, ignorance and/or public apathy

Is poverty a social problem or the fault of certain individuals?

Institutionalized discriminationOR

Affirmative action programs

WHERE DOES LEGITIMATE DISCIPLINE END AND CHILD ABUSE BEGIN?

Subjectivist position

A condition is a social problem only when it is perceived as undesirable.

A social problem exists when a significant number of people – or a small number of significant people – believe that a certain condition is in fact a problem in need of remedy.

“No condition, no matter how dramatic or shocking to someone else, is a social problem unless the values of a considerable number of people within the society define it as a problem.”

Paul B. Horton & Gerald R. Leslie

“A social problem is a condition caused by factors built into the social structure of a particular societythat systematically disadvantages or harms a specificsegment or a significant number of the society’s population.”

Daniel J. Curran & Claire M. Renzetti

Objectivist position

A social problem exists as soon as a significant number of individuals are adversely affected by a phenomenon related to social factors, even if no one recognizes it.

“A social problem exists when there is a sizable difference between the ideals of a society and its actual achievements.”

James Coleman & Harold Kerbo

You will have a closer look at:

-- Social Inequality;-- Poverty;-- Crime;-- Health;-- Homelessness;-- Old age;-- Urban challenges;-- Rural divides;-- Social Policy Issues

Remember:All these problems exist in the society you live

in and only you can make a difference

WELCOME!