Unit 1

Sociological Analysis of Social Problems

1. Study of ‘Social Problems’– Social Pathology, Anomie, Social Disorganization (Pg 20 pdf)

2. Theoretical Perspectives –From Religion to Sociology

3.Characteristics, Stages and Reactions (Ram Ahuja Chapter 1)

4. Critical Analysis of Social Issues – Power, Ideology, and Hegemony

Unit 2

Population, Health and other social problems

1. Population growth

2. Aging and availability of geriatric care

3. HIV AIDS and societal alienation

4. Drug Abuse

5. Child Abuse

1. Population
a. Hans Rosling – 2010 on Population Growth.
b. Hans Rosling – 2010 on Religion and Fertility
2. HIV AIDS
a. Annie Lennox – 2010 AIDS Activist.
b. Emily Oster – 2006 AIDS in Africa
c. Hans Rosling – 2009 HIV New Facts
d. Kristen Ashburn – 2003 Photos of AIDS
e. Mechai Viravaidya – 2010 On Thailand
f. Mitchell Besser – 2010 Mothers helping Mothers fight AIDS
g. Shereen ElFeki – 2012 How to fight epidemic of Bad Laws
3. Ageing
a. Ageing in India
b. Aubrey de Grey – 2005
c. Jared Diamond – 2013 how societies can grow old better
d. Undoing Ageing- Aubrey De Grey
 Unit 1
The Concept Of Social Problem
- A social problem has been defined as a “deviation from the social ideal remediable
by group effort”
- Two elements are important according to this definition
● Situation which is less than ideal, that is, which is undesirable or abnormal
● One which is remediable by collective effort
- It is not easy to determine which situation is ideal and which is not, there is no
definite standard which could be used to judge it
- Social ideal is not something arbitrary and the term ‘social problem’ is applied
only to that ‘issue’ which social ethics (which describes human conduct as right or
wrong in group relations) and society (which is concerned with the promotion of
the common good or the welfare of its members and the preservation of public
order) consider as unfavorable
- The issue should also be such that an individual cannot handle by themselves
- Example: If an individual has become addicted to drugs and has to seek admission
to a psychiatric institute or community center for deaddiction, that is their personal
problem
- On the other hand, if 35 million people are employed in a country, and no single
individual can do anything effective about it then what is needed to solve the
problem is an organized group or social effort
- Thus, a problem may be an individual problem under one set of circumstances and
a social problem under others
- Social problems change with the passage of time. What was not considered as a
social problem a few decades ago may become a crucial social problem.
- Example- Population explosion in India was not viewed as a social problem upto
the late 40s of the twentieth century but from the early 50s and 60s it became a
problem and in the 70s and 80s it became a very serious one and continue to be so
in 90s
- Fuller and Myers defined social problems as “a condition which is defined by a
considerable number of people as a deviation from some social norm which they
cherish”
- Reinhardt has explained social problem as “a situation confronting a group or a
section of society which promises or inflicts injurious consequences that can be
handled collectively”
- Thus, no one individual or few individuals are responsible for a socially
problematic situation, and the control of this situation is also beyond the ability of
one person or few people. Thus responsibility is placed upon society as large
 - Merton and Nisbet hold that a social problem is “a way of behaviour that is
regarded by a substantial part of a social order as being in violation of one or more
generally accepted or approved norms ” Ex- Alcoholism, Corruption,
Communalism but not to problems like population explosion.
- Some problems are created not by abnormal and deviant behaviour of the
individuals but by the normal and accepted behaviour
- Raab and Selznick maintain that a social problem is “a problem in human
relationships which seriously threatens society or impedes the important
aspirations of many people”
- According to Carr, “a social problem exists whenever we become conscious of a
difficulty, a gap between our preferences and reality”
- Herbert Blumer writes that “social problems involve actions or patterns of
behavior that are viewed by a substantial number of people in the society as being
deleterious to the society or in violation of societal norms, and about which
ameliorative action is seen as both possible and desirable”
- Clarence Marshall Case has said that “a social problem refers to any situation
which attracts the attention of a considerable number of competent observers
within a society and appeals to them as calling for readjustment or remedy by
social action of some kind or other”
- Horton and Leslie writes that a social problem is condition affecting a significant
number of people in ways considered undesirable, about which it is felt that
something can be done through collective social action”
- Though this definition emphasizes that a social problem is a condition, “affecting a
significant number of people” it does not give the exact number of people who
must be affected. It only points out that ‘enough people’ should be affected so that
notice is taken of it and people begin to talk and write about it
- One way of ‘measuring public concern’ about a condition is to assess the number
of articles devoted to it in popular magazines. Example- Problem of
‘environmental pollution’ in India wasn't taken up till the beginning of the
eighties, not many articles appeared on this issue in newspapers and magazines.
The appearing of numerous articles in the last 5-6 years indicates that the
condition has attracted widespread consideration and has become a social problem

“In ways considered Undesirable”

- The custom of Sati in India was no social problem as long as most people thought
it was desirable
 - Raja Ram Mohan Roy took initiative and a considerable number of people came to
support him and started criticizing the practise as harmful and awful, only then did
the custom of Sati turn into a social problem
- Roop Kanwar, a 21 year old Rajput girl, committed sari on the funeral pyre of her
husband in Deorala in Sikar district in Rajasthan in September, 1987 that this
practice came to be condemned and an act was passed in February, 1988 by the
state of Rajasthan prescribing serious penalty for people forcing a woman to
commit Sati
- A social Problem involves value judgment, a feeling that a condition is detrimental
and requires change.
- Political corruption came to be viewed as a social problem only in the 70s and 80s
of the twentieth century, though it was prevalent in our country earlier too

- Conditions that cannot be changed or evaded are also not accepted as social
problems
- Famine was not considered as a social problem until recently because of the
widespread belief that the paucity of rains was the result of the wrath of the rain
god
- Today, famine in states like Rajasthan is viewed as a social problem and is seen to
be the result of the failure to complete the Rajasthan canal because of the scarcity
of economic resources
- The scarcity of drinking water became a social problem in the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, only when it was realised that
it was not a misfortune to be endured but “something could be done” to remove
this scarcity
- Thus, it is the belief and hope in the possibility of prevention and treatment that
causes people to consider situation a social problem

“Collective action”- last element of Horton and Leslie’s definition

- A social problem cannot be solved by an individual or few individuals
- All social problems are social in treatment, that is, it is believed that they can be
tackled only by public concern, discussion, opinion formation and pressure

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO SOCIAL APPROACH

- Though Social Problems are essentially subjective, they can be studied scientifically
- These theoretical approaches present universal explanations for all types of social
problems
A. SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION APPROACH
● Social disorganization is a condition of a society, community or group in which there is a
breakdown of social control, or of a social order, or formal and informal norms that
define permissible behavior.
● It is characterized by the lack of cooperation, common values, unity, discipline and
predictability
● Warren has described it as a condition involving
1. Lack of Consensus (disagreement about group purposes)
2. Lack of Integration of institutions (after working at cross purposes) \
3. Inadequate means of social control (preventing individuals from playing their individual
roles due to confusion)
● Elliott and Merrill defined it as a process by which relationships between members of a
group are broken or dissolved
● Social disorganization occurs when there is a change in the equilibrium of forces, a
breakdown of the social structure so that the former patterns no longer function
effectively.
● This disruptive condition of society, which is evidenced by normlessness, role conflict,
social conflicts and demoralization, increases social problems
● Many of the old rules which governed the intra family and inter family relationships seem
to have broken down. Many people feel frustrated and unhappy
● This is the condition of social disorganization in which changes in the basic conditions of
life, causing breakdowns of traditional norms, have resulted in widespread
disappointment and disillusionment. Ex- Women taking up paid work impacted the
relationship between husband and wife.
● Change has disrupted the organization of the former system of behavior
● According to one school of thought, the state of disorganization does not always create
social problems. Ex- During Hitler’s regime, Germany was not a disorganized society nor
during Stalin’s regime , was Russia in a state of disorganization: yet many conditions in
these countries were shocking “deviations from the social ideal, demanding social
action”, that is, there were social problems
● Some scholars say that even if the social disorganization theory may not explain all social
problems, it does explain some of the social problems. Ex- Mental illness many not be a
symptom of a disorganized society but corruption in the society does lead to the
malfunctioning of institutions, lack of perfect consensus and the evasion of social control
by some citizens
● In employing the social disorganization approach to social problems one looks to factors
like
- What were the traditional norms and practices
- What were the major changes that made them ineffective
- What are the old rules which have broken down partially or completely
- What is the nature and direction of social change
 - Who are the dissatisfied groups and what solutions do they propose
- How do various proposed solutions fit in with the trend of social change
- What may become the accepted rules in the future
B. ANOMIE APPROACH
● Propounded by Merton
● Anomie is a condition characterized by the relative absence or weakening or
confusion of norms and values in a society or a group
● Originally developed by Durkheim to explain the division of labour and suicide
● However Merton used this concept 41 years afters the publication of Durkheim;s
suicide to explain deviant behavior in terms of functioning of social and cultural
structures in the society
● Anomie involves a breakdown in the cultural structure, occurring particularly
when there is disjunction between cultural norms and goals and the socially
structured capacities of members of the group to act in accordance with them
● Anomie is the counterpart of the idea of social solidarity
● Just as social solidarity is a state of collective ideological integration, anomie is a
state of confusion, insecurity and normlessness.
● According to Merton, the disjunction between goals and means and the consequent
strain leads to the weakening of men’s commitment to the culturally prescribed
goals or institutionalized means, that is, to a state of anomie
● Merton maintains that people adapt to this disjunction either by rejecting the
cultural goals or the institutionalized means or both.
● Merton locates the sources of strain not in the characteristics of people but in the
culture or social structure
● However, all social problems cannot be perceived as the result of the responses to
strains or mode of adaptation and adjustment
C. PERSONAL DEVIATION APPROACH
D. VALUE CONFLICT APPROACH
E. CULTURAL LAG APPROACH
● Cultural lag is a situation in which some parts of a culture change at a faster rate
than the other related parts resulting in the disruption of integration and
equilibrium of the culture
● Ex- Material culture changes more rapidly than the non material culture in
industrial societies through rapid advances in science and technology
● The theory of culture lag, in particular holds that in modern societies there has
been a tendency for change in the political, educational, family and religious
institutions to fall behind technological changes
 ● First quarter of the twentieth century remained a period of culture lag
● It took more than a generation to adapt technological development in agriculture
and industry
● Culture lag explains only a few social problems, not all. Hence it cannot be
accepted as a universal explanation of all social problems.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL PROBLEM

- According to Weinberg, social problems are behaviour patterns or conditions
which arise from social processes and are considered so objectionable or
undesirable by many members of a society that they recognise that corrective
policies, programmes and services are necessary to cope with them, Weinberg
gave six characteristics of Social problems
1. Social problems arise by being collectively defined as objectionable by many
members of the community, Thus, adverse conditions not defined by the
community as reprehensible are not considered as social problems. Ex- If taking
alcohol is not regarded as objectionable by the society, it is not considered a social
problem. But as the society recognizes and discusses the problems inherent in
alcohol consumption, studies its consequences and devises a plan of corrective
action to control it, it comes to be defined as a social problem
2. Social problems change when the concerned behavioral patterns are interpreted
differently. Ex- Till a few decades ago, mental illness was viewed as insanity and
it was considered so disgraceful that the families kept the member’s mental illness
a secret. Now mental illness is seen only as one type of ‘deviant behaviour’ which
requires psychiatric and social treatment. Thus the problem of mental illness today
is met more realistically and effectively
3. Mass media (newspaper, radio, magazines, movies, television) play an important
role in creating awareness about the scope and urgency of social problems
4. Social problems have to be viewed in the context of the society’s values and
institutions. Ex- Problem of racial conflict in US is different from the problem of
Untouchability in India
5. Social prob;ems need to be analyzed in terms of the influences upon them by
group processes and social relationships
6. Since social problems vary historically, contemporary social problems are the
society’s concern, that is, the problem of refugee settlement in India in 1947-48 is
different from the problem of settling refugees from Assam in 1968, or the Tamils
from Sri lanka in 1988-89 or the Indians from Kuwait and Iraq in September,
1990.
 ● All social problems are deviations from the ideal situations
● All social problems have some common basis of origin
● All social problems are social in origin
● All social problems are interconnected
● All social problems are social in their results, that is, they affect all sections of
society
● The responsibility for social problems is social, that is, they require a collective
approach for their solution

REACTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS

- Different people react differently to social problems. Differences may be explained
in terms of following 4 factors
a. An attitude of Unconcern
b. Fatalism
c. Vested Interest
d. Absence of expert knowledge

a. An attitude of Unconcern: Many people remain indifferent to a problem thinking

that it does not affect them . Sometimes their own individuals problems like family
tension, job pressures keep them so engaged that they do not find time to take
interest in what affects others, It is only when their own interests are involved that
they become agitated and start taking interest in the problem
b. Fatalism: Some people are so fatalistic that they attribute every thing to destiny,
Issues like poverty, unemployment are explained in terms of misfortunes and past
karma, They, therefore, suffer the misfortune quietly and wait for some miracle to
happen
c. Vested interest: Some people do not take interest in the existing problems because
they stand to gain so long as the problem exists. Motivated by self interest, they
describe the problem as insoluble and talk about its eradication as a waste of time
d. Absence of Expert knowledge: Some people, though they remain concerned about
the problem, yet do not take much interest in it, believing that its solution is
impossible unless people change their attitudes and values. As the changes must
be initiated by a change in outlook, they remain unconcerned about finding
alternative possibilities of treatment. Ex- Dowry. Few people have incorrect,
unreliable and superficial knowledge or fallacies about social problems.
There are eight such feelings
1. It is wrong to believe that there is an agreement among all people on the nature of
social problems. Ex- Some people think that drug abuse is a social problem in
India while others believe, on the basis of the empirical studies conducted in
different parts of the country pointing out to the low magnitude of drug abuse, that
it cannot be perceived as a social problem. Thus, on some problems there may be
complete agreement and on others there may be little agreement as to their
existence
2. It is fallacious to believe that social problems are caused by nature and are
inevitable. No social problem is beyond human control if certain social
arrangements are changed
3. It is a misnomer to believe that social problems are caused by selfish, brutal,
exploitative and indifferent people or by the wilful wickedness of a few. In fact,
many problems are caused by good people because either mind their own business
or they remain indifferent and callous to certain issues. Ex- Growth of slums
which promotes family disorganization and increases certain kinds of crime is the
result of the callousness of rich people and politicians, However these people do
not have any evil motive in their indifference or thinking and behavior. It can be
concluded that social problem is the product of certain social practices and not of
wilful wickedness of certain individuals
4. It is wrong to believe that social problems are created by talking about them. The
problems are caused not because people irresponsibly talk about them and thus
incite others or stir up trouble or evoke hatred. In fact, people are often mobilized
to solve problems and initiate action against the factors that perpetuate the
problem
5. It is incorrect to assume that all people like to see the social problem solved. Ex-
Conservative Brahmins may not be interested in taking up the issue of
untouchability for discussion, many capitalists may not be in favor of full
employment for fear of not getting enough workers at low wages. Thus a number
of people can be found to be disinterested in solving social problems because of
selfish interests
6. It is not correct to believe that social problems will solve themselves if it is left
alone. The feeling that time will solve all the problems is unsound and unrealistic
in this age. It is only a rationalization for inactivity. It may infact aggravate the
problems
7. The feeling that unraveling facts will solve the problems is not correct. Though it
is true that no problem can be intelligently understood without collecting complete
facts, it is also true that without scientifically interpreting the gathered data,
measures cannot be taken to solve a problem. Ex- Mere collection of the facts on
the magnitude of the problem of drug abuse among youth, nature of drugs used by
them, methods of using drugs, sources of getting drugs and withdrawal syndromes
 will not help much in suggesting measures to control the drug misuse unless we
analyze and interpret facts like the reasons for taking drugs, the role of peer group
and the role of the family in controlling drug abuse. Data in intself is nothing, it is
the objective interpretation of the data which is meaningful,
8. It is untrue to think that problems can be solved without institutional changes. In a
way, it is impossible to solve problems without planning, structural changes,
without adjustments and adaptations or without altering the existing institutions
and practices. Ex- Corruption cannot be eradicated unless people change their
values and beliefs , laws are enacted, courts set examples by giving retributive and
deterrent punishment to corrupt people in high positions like politicians.
● Sometimes a solution to one of the problems created many new problems to
solved. Since change in institutions and values come slowly, solving a problem is
not easy and quick and it takes considerable time.
● Sometimes we succeed in changing some conditions and thus in partly reducing
the magnitude or the frequency of the problem.

STAGES IN DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIAL PROBLEM

A. FULLER AND MYRES

● Fuller and Myres have referred to three stages through which the problems pass in
the process of being defined and solved
1. Awareness
2. Policy determination
3. Reform

1. Awareness- In the first stage, people become convinced that the problem exists,
the condition is undesirable and that something can be done about it, In the
beginning, only a few people raise questions but gradually more people become
aware of the existence of the problem
2. Policy Determination- As awareness spreads to larger segments of the society,
possible solutions come to be discussed. Ex- Population explosion in india and
discussion of various means of family planning in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Thus
the emphasis in the second stage shifts from what should be done to how it should
be done.
 3. Reform- As basic solutions and policies are decided upon, the stage of action is
reached. Ex- Not only a plan for clearing the slums is put into practice but people
living there are also accommodated elsewhere.
B. HERBERT BLUMER
● Referred to five stages in the course of social problem
1. Emergence of a problem
2. Legitimation of a problem
3. Mobilisation of action
4. Formulation of an official plan
5. Implementation of the official plan
● Movement from one stage to another is not automatic, but it depends on many
contingencies

C. MALCLOM SPECTOR AND JOHN KITUSE

Talked about of four stages in development of a social problem

1. Agitation
2. Legitimation and Cooptation
3. Bureaucratization and Reaction
4. Re-emergence of the Movement

1. Agitation-
● People feel aggrieved about the existing situation in the society
● They agitate against this grievance
(i) to convince others that the problem exists
(ii) to initiate action to improve conditions and to attack the alleged cause of the
grievance
● Agitation is started not necessarily by the victims but even by moral crusaders on
behalf of the victims. Ex- The prohibition movement is started not by alcoholics
but by social workers and social reformers.
● Agitation is to convert private troubles into public issues by declaring them to be
harmful, offensive and undesirable
● Sometimes the efforts might not succeed because the claims made are too vague,
or because the group that makes these efforts is insignificant or powerless, or
because groups creates conflicting interests

2. Legitimation and Cooptation-

● When a group in power or the power holders acknowledge the existence of the
problem, the problem acquires legitimacy.
● In the first stage, the claimants of the problems are viewed as peculiar individuals,
in this stage they are viewed as legitimate spokesman of the aggrieved people
● They are therefore coopted for discussing alternate solutions. Ex- Giving
representation to workers in factories, in management bodies or to students in the
Academic Councils
3. Bureaucratization and Reaction
● The focus in the first stage is on the complaint group, in the second stage it is on
the decision makers, and in this third stage, it is bureaucrats and their efficiency
which attracts attention in the third stage. The extent to which the bureaucrats look
for solutions to the problem and the extent to which they are able to fobb off
vested interests, will determine whether the agitation will take the form of a
movement or not
4. Re- emergence of the movement
● The defective policies of the decision makers and beauracrates and their
disinterestedness in the problem, rekindle the feelings of the aggrieved people and
their crusaders who start a movement to force the power holders to adopt
ameliorative measures for solving the problem