Social Problems - 1/14/26

• Definition of Social Problems

  • Conditions in society where a significant number of people express concern and seek change.

  • Acknowledging something as a problem typically signifies a desire for a solution.

• Characteristics of Social Problems

  • Originating from the textbook but phrased differently for clarity.

  • Two Essential Components:

  • Objective Conditions:

    • Facts that can be documented and measured using sociological techniques.

    • Examples include:

    • Starvation

    • Poverty hindering access to healthcare

    • Crime incidence

  • Subjective Concerns:

    • Public concern regarding the objective conditions, making them social problems.

    • Historical examples:

    • Family violence (e.g., child abuse, partner violence)

      • These have existed for centuries but only became a social problem in the 1800s as societal norms shifted.

    • Environmental issues (e.g., pollution):

      • Environmental awareness emerged around the early 20th century as human impact on nature became clear.

• Examples Illustrating the Need for Objective and Subjective Concerns

  • Family Violence:

  • Historically accepted until social movements in the 1800s began advocating against such violence.

  • Environmental Concerns:

  • Development of environmental consciousness in the early 20th century regarding pollution and natural resources.

  • Recent issues like climate change became recognized due to scientific testimony in 1988 by James Hansen regarding the human causes of global warming, followed by societal debate on acceptance and concern.

Change in Social Problems Over Time

• Social problems evolve; they depend on societal values regarding what is considered acceptable or unacceptable.

• Abortion Example:

  • Legalized in 1973 due to Roe v. Wade, which recognized it as a right of privacy.

  • Overturned in 2022, returning decision-making to states, illustrating the changing landscape of social issues.

• Historical Shifts in Substance Use:

  • Example of drug perceptions changing over decades, from alcohol prohibition in the early 20th century to changing attitudes towards marijuana legalization.

• Problems are subjective; they vary by group, evolving definitions reflect historical context.

Relativity of Social Problems

• Social issues are defined differently based on cultural, societal, and individual perspectives, hence the term "relativity".

• Values Defined:

  • Personal beliefs about what is good or bad, which can shift over time and shape the definition of social problems.

• Example of Historical Relativity:

  • Context of slavery, where northern and southern perspectives drastically differed.

• Different marginalized groups may perceive social problems differently, leading to subjective definitions.

Power Dynamics in Social Problems

• Power affects whose definitions of social problems are prioritized in societal discourse.

• Power Definition from Textbook:

  • The ability to get your way despite resistance.

• Example of drug use perceptions in the 1980s showcasing disparities among different user groups:

  • Crack cocaine versus powder cocaine, where socioeconomic status heavily influenced societal reactions.

Review of Sociology

• Definition:

  • Sociology is the systematic and objective study of social groups.

  • Considered a soft science due to the debate over its classification alongside natural sciences.

• Historical Context:

  • Coined by Auguste Comte in 1838, signaling the application of scientific methods to social life.

• Distinction Between Societies:

  • Traditional vs. Modern Societies

  • Traditional societies characterized by rigid class structures and limited sociological analysis.

  • Modern societies, beginning around 1750, opened discussions for sociological investigation.

Traditional Society Focus

• Society Structure in the Middle Ages:

  • Dominated by social classes:

  • Wealthy (royals)

  • Poor (peasants)

  • Church (Catholicism providing societal cohesion).

  • Intellectual stagnation due to reliance on divine explanations, limiting room for sociological thought.

Emergence of Sociological Thought

• Scientific Revolution:

  • Emerged in the 1600s, challenging religious explanations with empirical inquiry.

• Enlightenment:

  • Critical examination of tradition and authority, spawning political revolutions like the French Revolution in 1789, which aimed to democratize society by dismantling the old structures.

• Impact of Scientific Approach:

  • Shifted the understanding of social, economic, and political systems from the will of God to observable, testable phenomena, allowing for the emergence of sociological inquiry.

Notable Changes from the French Revolution

• Establishment of public schooling

• Policy reform, including abolition of traditional family power structures and endorsement of individual rights

• Introductions of radical changes in societal organization (e.g., the geometric redesign of towns)

• Reforms in social constructs, such as the calendar system, reflecting a desire for scientific rationalization.