Social Problems
Defining the Problem vs Fixing It
No agreement between what the problem is and what efforts should be made to solve the issue
Definition of a special-interest group
A political coalition composed of individuals or groups sharing a specific interest they wish to protect or advance with the help of the political system
Microlevel problems
Focus on how individuals operate within Primary Groups to try to remedy a problem that affects them, their family or friends.
Midrange meaning
Focuses on how secondary groups and formal organizations try to assist individuals overcome their problems
What exactly is a macro problem?
A macro level problem is one that involves lots of people. For example, an election, where people all around the country vote for the president.
Problem defining stage
Involves political or social activists, journalist, social scientist, and religious leaders each have different views on what the actual problem is
How groups are catagorized
Issues
View of the present of wealth and power
Beliefs about elites
primary groups
Small Specialized groups which members engage face-to-face emotion-based interactions that can include a close friend or a family member to
Solution
Some social problems can best be reduced by reaching one person at a time
Examples of Macro Level Problems.
Examples can include homlessness, unemployment, world hunger, immigration laws, etc.
Problem solving stage
Involves elected officials, people working in agencies, and government bureaus
Collective behavior
Voluntary, often spontaneous, activity of a large group people and typically violates dominate- group norms and values
Band-Aid" affect
creating a solution for a problem short term but not eliminating an individual's problems
Solution
Prevention and intervention are most effective at the personal and community levels
Solutions to Macro Level Problems
There are many organizations that help fight against these problems that can reange from country wide, to worldwide problems.
What is social change
The alteration, modification, transformation of public policy, culture, or social institutions over time
Civil Disobedience
Nonviolent action that seeks to change a policy or law by refusing to comply with it
Social Problem
In these situations we sometimes have no choice but to try to deal with a problem in our own way
Popular groups that help individuals cope with their problems
Alcoholics anonymous
Narcotics anonymous
Breast Cancer Support group
Parents Without Partners
Organizations
Feeding America – helping with world hunger
United Way – helping with homelessness
Doe Fund – helping with unemployment
Types of social movements
Reform Movements
Revolutionary Movements
Religious Movements
Alternative Movements
Resistance Movements
Limitations
Local efforts only target specific cities or regions
Causing the lack of ability to produce changes in society as a whole