Chapter 18

Can Social Problems Be Solved?

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Chapter Outline Social Change

• Microlevel attempts • Midrange attempts • Macrolevel attempts

Groups and movements

• Special interest groups • Collective behavior • Types of social movements

Sociological Perspectives

• Functionalist • Conflict • Interactionist Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

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

 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 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Social Change and Reducing Social Problems  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  Primary groups: face to face emotion based interactions

 Focus on how individuals can do something about the

problems they face.

Limitation: Fails to consider that secondary groups and institutions play a major part in creating, maintaining, and exacerbating many social problems Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems  Focus on how secondary groups and formal

organizations deal with problems such as drug addiction

 Grassroots groups often work to change a perceived wrong

Mid-range attempts are based on 2 things:

 Some social problems can best be reduced by reaching one

person at a time

 Prevention and intervention are most effective at the

personal and community levels.

Limitation: Local efforts usually lack the capacity to produce the larger changes needed at the national or international levels Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Macro-Level Attempts to Deal with Social Problems  Focus on how large-scale institutions (e.g., government)

may become involved in remedies  Powerless individuals bind together to in organizations to

influence those at the national or global level.

Limitations:  Overemphasizes structural barriers in society, making them appear insurmountable  De-emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

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  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 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

Working Through Social Movements Collective Behavior  Voluntary, often spontaneous activity of a large number of people and typically violates group norms and values  Riots and public demonstrations Civil Disobedience  Collective behavior that is nonviolent and seeks to change a policy or law by refusing to comply with it  1960s Civil Rights Movement and protest crowds  Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

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  Alternative movements  Seek limited change in some aspect of people’s behavior  Resistance movements  Prevent change or undo change that has occurred. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

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  Restoration of order

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Conflict Perspective  Conflict is natural and inevitable in society.  Conflict occurs because of values held by divergent

groups in society.  Solutions:  Patriarchy, capitalism must be radically altered or eliminated.  Dramatic changes in society giving minority groups more opportunity. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010

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

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010