Social Problems Process Notes

Two Ways to Define Social Problems

Harmful Conditions (Objectivist Approach)

  • Defines social problems based on objectively measurable characteristics or conditions.
  • Relies on evidence to identify social problems.
  • Examples of measurement:
    • Unemployment Rates (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
    • Crime Rates (FBI's Uniform Crime Reports)
    • Poverty Rates (Census Bureau's Poverty Thresholds and Department of Health and Human Services' Poverty Guidelines)
  • Importance of considering how social problems are measured.
Problems with the Objectivist Approach

  1. No Evenly Applied Objective Standard:

    • Lack of universal agreement on what constitutes a social problem.
    • Harmful conditions may not be recognized as social problems.
    • Examples: Racism, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, homophobia existed before being widely recognized as social problems.

  2. Differing Reasons for Identifying a Condition:

    • The same condition can be viewed as a social problem for different reasons.
    • Examples:
      • Poverty (moral vs. economic issue)
      • Illegal drug use (health vs. criminal issue)
      • Undocumented immigration (cultural vs. economic issue)

  3. Varied Definitions of Harm:

    • Social problems cover diverse topics, lacking a single definition of harm.
    • Harm can be:
      • Physical
      • Mental
      • Economic
      • Environmental
      • Cultural
      • Political

Topics of Concern (Subjectivist Approach)

  • Defines social problems based on people's subjective sense of what is troubling.
  • Focuses on feelings and perceptions.
  • Perception of social conditions as problems varies based on time, location, or population.
  • Examples:
    • Economic inequality in a capitalist system
    • Globalization
    • Strict gender roles
Key Points of Subjectivist Approach
  • Subjective reactions to conditions determine what is considered a social problem.
  • Social problems are a process of responding to social conditions.
  • Social problems are efforts to arouse concern about conditions within society.

Social Construction of Social Problems

  • SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION: The ongoing process by which people create meaning; the basis for the subjectivist approach.
  • Assumption: Social problems are united by the fact that people define them as problematic.
Constructionist Language
  • CLAIM: An argument that a troubling condition needs to be addressed.
  • CLAIMSMAKING: The process of bringing a troubling condition to the attention of others.
  • CLAIMSMAKERS: Individuals who try to convince others that there is a troubling condition that needs to be addressed.

The Natural History of Social Problems

  • NATURAL HISTORY: A common sequence of steps or stages in a particular process.
Stages:

  1. Claimsmaking:

    • Activists or experts argue that a condition is troubling and needs attention.
    • ACTIVISTS: Members of social movement organizations who make claims.
    • EXPERTS: Individuals with special knowledge (e.g., physicians, scientists, lawyers) who claim authority.

  2. Media Coverage:

    • Claimsmakers seek media coverage (TV, radio, newspapers) to reach a broader audience.
    • Media reshapes claims; the same story can be presented differently.

  3. Public Reaction:

    • Public learns about claims directly or through media.
    • Public opinion polls measure changes in attitudes or behaviors.
    • Examples: Assessing negative campaign ad impact, recycling efforts after public service announcements.
    • Polls are crucial as voters elect officials based on their views.

  4. Policymaking:

    • POLICYMAKING: Devising policies to address a troubling condition.
    • Examples: Laws against texting while driving, safety standards for food handling, student codes of conduct.
    • Policymakers respond to claimsmakers, media, public opinion, and internal pressures.

  5. Social Problems Work:

    • SOCIAL PROBLEMS WORK: Applying constructions of a troubling condition or social policy to practical situations.
    • Examples: Police enforcing laws, teachers creating lessons, HR complying with anti-discrimination laws.
    • Workers balance policy adherence with daily responsibilities.

  6. Policy Outcomes:

    • POLICY OUTCOME: The result of implementing a social policy.
    • Critics may argue policies are ineffective, insufficient, or excessive.
    • Examples: No Child Left Behind, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Affordable Care Act.
Natural History Model

  • Claimsmaking -> Media Coverage -> Public Reaction -> Policymaking -> Social Problems Work -> Policy Outcomes

  • The social construction of every social problem does not perfectly fit into this sequence.

Influence of Resources

  • RESOURCE: Anything used to construct a claim.
    • Examples: Money, power, status, education, personal contacts (social capital).
  • Resources affect the ability to get claims heard.

Influence of Rhetoric

  • RHETORIC: The study of persuasion.
  • Claims evolve throughout the social problems process.
  • Arguments to persuade the public may differ from those used to persuade policymakers.

Resources and Rhetoric in the Social Problems Process

  • Resources: Unequal distribution; influence at all stages.
  • Rhetoric: Conditions reconstructed to fit concerns at each stage.

The Role of Feedback

  • FEEDBACK: A cause produces an effect that in turn affects the cause.
  • Example: A failed healthy eating campaign may refocus its message on on-the-go eating.