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Module 3

The document discusses social problems as conditions that are widely regarded as undesirable within a society, requiring collective action for resolution. It differentiates between individual problems, which affect only a small group, and social problems that impact larger populations and necessitate a collective approach. Additionally, it outlines the definitions, components, elements, and types of social problems as understood by various sociologists.

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Frannie Saturos Palabrica
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34 views2 pages

Module 3

The document discusses social problems as conditions that are widely regarded as undesirable within a society, requiring collective action for resolution. It differentiates between individual problems, which affect only a small group, and social problems that impact larger populations and necessitate a collective approach. Additionally, it outlines the definitions, components, elements, and types of social problems as understood by various sociologists.

Uploaded by

Frannie Saturos Palabrica
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VI - Western Visayas
Schools Division of Iloilo
P.D. MONFORT NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
P.D. Monfort South, Dumangas, Iloilo

Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences (HUMSS 11 – Plato)


Quarter 4 Module 3

SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND PHENOMENON

Social problem
is a generic term applied to a range of conditions and aberrant behaviors which are manifestations of social
disorganization. It is a condition which most people in a society consider undesirable and want to correct by
changing through some means of social engineering or social planning (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, 1994)
is an issue within the society that makes it difficult for people to achieve their full potential tend to develop
when we become neglectful and fail to see that serious problems are developing

A problem is a condition of discontentment resented by someone.


For a problem to be social, it must involve a large number of people, sometimes groups and institutions,
who consider a particular condition as undesirable and intolerable and want to correct through a collective
action.

Thus, not all problems are social, unless the discontented persons come in contact, vocalize their
discontentment and associate to do something for its solution.

When a Poblem becomes Social?


A problem becomes social when it is communicated to others and the activity of one person leads to a
similar activity for other persons.

What is the different of an individual problem and Social problem?


Individual problem is one which is felt by only one person or a small group of people. It does not affect the
public at large. Its resolutions lie within the power and immediate milieu of the individual or group. A public issue
however requires a collective approach for its solutions.

No one individual or few individuals are responsible for the appearance of a socially problematic situation
and the control of this situation is also beyond the ability of one person or a few persons.

Could these problems have been prevented if our social institutions had been working well?
Yes, it is where political philosophies are important to understand
The government should be very involved in providing services to people most at risk

Social Problems Definition of Different Sociologist

Definition Sociologist

Those conditions or situations which members of the society regard as a threat to Fuller and Myers (1941)
their values‘. Elucidating their ideas, they said at other place that it is ‘a condition
which is defined by a considerable number of persons as a deviation from some
social norms which they cherish‘.
A situation confronting a group or a section of society which inflicts injurious Reinhardt
consequences that can be handled only collectively.‘
Hold that a social problem is ‗a problem of human relationship which seriously Raab and Selznick (1959)
threatens society or impedes the important aspirations of many people‘.
‗A way of behaviour that is regarded by a substantial part of a social order as being Merton and Nisbet (1961)
in violation of one or more generally accepted or approved norms‘.
A social problem as a ‗deviation from the social ideal remediable by group effort‘. Walsh and Furfey
A social problem is ‗a condition which many people consider undesirable and want Horton and Leslie (1970)
1
to correct. It is a condition affecting a significant number of people in ways
considered undesirable, about which it is felt that something can be done through
collective measures‘.

Components of social problem

1. An objective condition, like crime, poverty, communal tensions and so forth, the presence and magnitude of which
can be observed, verified and measured by impartial social observers; and
2. A subjective definition by some members of the society that the objective condition is a problem‘ and must be acted
upon. Here is where values come into play. People start perceiving that some values are being threatened.

Elements of Social Problems:

Though the above cited definitions differ in ways that they are explained, the following important characteristics may
be discerned from them:

1. A condition or situation resented as objectionable by a significant number of people.


2. It is considered as undesirable because of its injurious consequences.
3. All social problems want correction through collective action. They warrant change in conditions via some means of
social engineering.
4. All aberrant behaviors or deviations from accepted norms are termed as social problems such as crime, juvenile
delinquency, prostitution, rape, drug addiction, and domestic violence, ethnic or communal tension.
5. Social problems are not static but change with the change in time and space. Changes in law also affects the concept
of social problem.

Types of Social Problems:

Sociologists distinguish between two types of social problems.

First, problems of social organization which are created by the way the community or the society is organized.
Community or society produces situations that some members of the society refuse to accept as right or
necessary or even inevitable. These are, for instance, communalism, casteism, regionalism, poverty, gender
discrimination, population, environmental imbalance (different kinds of pollution, health hazards, etc.).

Second, problems of deviance having to do with the adjustment of people to conventional ways of living.
These include, for example, delinquency, drug addiction, alcoholism, mental illness, various forms of sexual
behavior (rape, incest, sodomy), bigamy, prostitution, vandalism and host of other behaviors, most of which are
forbidden by law.

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