Chapter 18

Can Social Problems Be Solved?

Problem with Tackling Social Problems

• Ideal vs. Practical Solutions – Conflict between ideal solutions and the

workable one– Preventive measures are costly:

• And are often allocated a small percentage of money and resources

• New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina

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Problem with Tackling Social Problems (2/3)

– We usually rely on after-the-fact measures to deal with both natural and social disasters

• Defining the Problem vs. Fixing it– No agreement about what the problem is and

what it needs to fix it – Those who identify it usually don’t fix it

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Problem with Tackling Social Problems (3/3)

– Social change is the transformation of public policy, culture or social institutions over time

– Obstacles, delays, and frustrations confront those who attempt social change

• Solving a social problem can entail short-term, middle-term or long-term efforts

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Microlevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems

• Focus on how individuals: – Operate within small groups to solve

problems– Can do something about problems they face

• Limitation: Fails to consider that secondary groups & institutions play a major part in: – Creating, maintaining, and exacerbating many

social problems

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Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems

• Mid-range attempts are based on 2 things:– Some social problems can best be reduced

by reaching one person at a time – Prevention & intervention

• Most effective at the personal & community levels

• Focus on how secondary groups and formal organizations deal with problems:

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Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems (2/2)

– Such as drug addiction– Grassroots groups often work to change a

perceived wrong• Limitation: Local efforts usually lack the

capacity to produce the larger changes: – Needed at the national or international levels

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Macro-Level Attempts to Deal with Social Problems

• How large-scale institutions (e.g. government) may be involved in remedies

• Powerless individuals bind together in organizations to influence those at: – The national or global level

• Limitations

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Working Through Special Interest Groups

• Special Interest Groups:– Political coalitions designed to protect or

advance specific issues • Can be categorized on the basis of 3

factors:– 1. Issues

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Working Through Special Interest Groups (3/3)

• Single issue versus multiple demands

– 2. View of the present system of wealth and power• Radical demands versus reform

– 3. Beliefs about elites• Whether to influence them or replace them

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Working Through Social Movements

• Collective Behavior – Voluntary, often spontaneous activity of a:

• Large number of people and typically violates group norms and values

• Civil Disobedience– Collective behavior that is nonviolent & seeks

to change a policy/law by refusing to comply

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Types of Movements

• Reform movements– Change specific aspect of social structure

• Revolutionary– Bring about total change in society

• Religious movements– Renovate or renew people through inner

change

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Types of Movements (2/2)

• Alternative movements– Seek limited change in some aspect of

people’s behavior• Resistance movements

– Prevent change or undo change that has occurred

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Functionalist Perspective

• Social problems arise when social institutions do not fulfill their functions; – Or when dysfunctions occur

• Solution:– Social institutions need to be more effective– Prevention of rapid social change;

Maintenance of status quo; Restore order

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Conflict Perspective

• Conflict is natural and inevitable in society• Values by divergent groups in society• Solutions:

– Patriarchy, capitalism must be radically altered or eliminated

– Dramatic changes in society giving minority groups more opportunity

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Interactionist Perspective

• Examines how a certain behavior becomes a social problem;– And why people engage in that behavior

• Solution:– More adequate socialization of people– Understand how labeling affects behavior

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