Social

Problems
• Definitions, Characteristics, and
Context in India
Definitio Fuller and Myers:
“Social problem is “a condition which is
defined by a considerable number of
persons as a deviation from some social

n of
norms which they cherish”.

Social Merton and Nisbet:

Merton and Nisbet define the social
problem as “a way of behavior that is
regarded by a substantial part of society

Problems as violating of one or more generally

accepted or approved norms.”
 Definitions fit problems like
corruption, drug addiction, etc.

Definition
of Social Limitations of the Definitions:
Not applicable to issues like
population explosion.

Problems Carr's View:

Some problems arise from
“A social problem exists
accepted behaviors (e.g., soil
whenever we become conscious
degradation from farming
of a difficulty, a gap between our
methods).
preference and reality.”
 • Harmful consequences for society.
• Deviations from the ideal situation.
Characteristics • Caused by multiple factors.
of Social • Social in origin.
• Interrelated.
Problems • Affect all individuals in society.
• Impact individuals differently.
 Early Indian Civilization:
• Rigid social hierarchy
Social Problems • Rituals and animal sacrifice
in Indian
Context Muslim Rule Era:
• Issues like Sati and Purdah
• Caste system among Muslims
 • Contemporary India:
• Terrorism, violence, offences
against women, children, and
minorities
Social • Unemployment, poverty, drug
addiction, communalism,
Problems in corruption
Indian • Migration, displacement,
environmental degradation,
Context population explosion
• Prostitution, HIV/AIDS, youth
unrest
 • Causes of Social Problems in
Factors India:
Influencing • Economic
• Political
Social • Legal
• Cultural
Problems • Historical
 Urbanization offers growth, food supply,
economies of scale, and stable public services.

Poverty in India
Challenges arise due to population growth
Introduction to

overwhelming cities with poor infrastructure.

Poverty defined since 1972: Based on the ability to

buy food worth 2100 calories (urban) or 2400
calories (rural).

Current statistics: 50% of Indians live in poverty

(NC Saxena Committee).
 Poverty: Failing to
Creates a discrepancy
maintain an adequate
between what one has
What is Poverty?
living standard for
and what one should
physical and mental
have.
efficiency.

Adam Smith: "Man is

rich or poor according
to his ability to enjoy
life’s necessities and
conveniences."
Poverty in India: Statistics

• 260.3 million people below the poverty line:

• 193.2 million in rural areas.
• 67.1 million in urban areas.
• Poverty distribution: 75% reside in villages.
• Regional disparities:
• Below 10% in Delhi, Goa, and Punjab.
• Over 40% in Bihar (43%) and Odisha (47%).
Definition of
Poverty
• Poverty: Lack of material
possessions or income to meet
basic needs.
• Absolute poverty: Lack of resources
to meet basic needs like food,
clothing, shelter.
• Social aspects: Marginalization,
lack of access to resources, and
personal development.
 Poverty limits access to basic services
Poverty as a Social like education and healthcare.

Leads to hunger, malnutrition, and

social exclusion.
Problem

High poverty rates impair economic

growth and contribute to crime and
other social issues.
Rural vs. Urban
Poverty

• Urban poverty: Driven by migration

from rural areas.
• Overcrowded, unsanitary slums.
• Lack of basic services (clean water,
healthcare).
• Rural poverty: Caused by low
agricultural productivity,
unemployment, and debt traps.
• High dependency on monsoon and
ineffective anti-poverty programs.
Types of Poverty in
India
Situational poverty:
Generational poverty: Absolute poverty:
Passed down through Inability to meet basic
Result of a crisis (e.g.,
generations, creating needs like food and
job loss, health crisis).
a cycle. shelter.

Relative poverty: Rural poverty:

Urban poverty:
Income is below 50% Isolation, poor access
Lacking infrastructure
of the average to technology, and
and services.
income. education.
Causes of Poverty in India (Economic
Factors)
Low tax base and high tax
evasion.

Corruption and inefficiencies in

government schemes.

Agriculture employs 50% of the

population but contributes only
15% of GDP.

Unemployment: High rates

post-1990 GDP growth led to a
lack of opportunities for the poor.
Causes of Poverty in India (Social
Factors)

Corruption and misuse

Untouchability and
Wealth disparity of power prevent
caste system restrict
continues to widen. equitable distribution
social mobility.
of resources.
 Causes of Poverty in India (Climatic
Factors)

Natural calamities like floods and droughts Seasonal rainfall irregularities affect crop
reduce agricultural productivity. production, contributing to poverty.
Other Causes of Poverty

• Population growth: 17 million people

added annually.
• Underutilized resources:
Underemployment in agriculture.
• Slow economic development and rising
prices increase the burden on the poor.
• Unemployment: Expanding population
leads to a greater demand for jobs.
Poverty Alleviation
Programs

• Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (1989): National

public works scheme.
• Provides employment and low-cost
housing.
• Focus on community development
(irrigation, water supply).
• Impact: Reduced poverty and improved
rural infrastructure.
 Impact of
Poverty in
India & • Causes, Effects, and Solutions
Government
Schemes for
Alleviation
Impact of Poverty in India

Population Growth: Rapid

growth strains resources, Health Effects: Lack of access to
hindering poverty eradication sufficient food, clothing, Leads to poor health and
efforts. Population over 1.3 healthcare, and a clean malnutrition.
billion, with significant environment.
challenges in uplifting the poor.
Impact of Poverty: Nutrition and
Society
• Nutrition and Diet: Poverty leads to inadequate diet
and nutrition, limited resources affect food intake.
• Societal Effects: Increased crime due to
unemployment and marginalization.
• Child labor: Poverty forces families to send children to
work instead of school.
Impact on the Economy and
Employment

Economic Impact: Poverty

Unemployment: Poor, often
leads to income disparity and
illiterate and unskilled,
unequal wealth distribution.
migrate in search of jobs.
The concentration of wealth
Limited opportunities lead to
among the rich leads to social
unfulfilled lives.
unrest.
Impact on
Education and
Housing
• Illiteracy:
• Education becomes a challenge due to the
lack of basic necessities.
• Living Conditions:
• Poor living conditions: Many families live
in single-room homes with inadequate
housing.
• Hygiene and Sanitation:
• Lack of hygiene awareness and access to
proper sanitation.
Feminization
of Poverty
• Women and Poverty:
• Women suffer more due to
low income and gender
inequality.
• Women have poorer access
to diet, healthcare, and
education.
 Government Schemes for Poverty
Alleviation

INTEGRATED RURAL LAUNCHED IN 1978-79 TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING NATIONAL RURAL LAUNCHED IN 1980 TO
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ASSIST RURAL FAMILIES PRODUCTIVE ASSETS AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT
(IRDP): BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. SKILLS FOR (NREP): OPPORTUNITIES AND
SELF-EMPLOYMENT. DEVELOP COMMUNITY
ASSETS.
 • Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
(SGSY): Launched in 1999 to promote
self-employment by forming Self-Help
Groups (SHGs).Target: Poor families and
Government ensuring 50% women in each district's
groups.
Schemes • Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY): Launched in
1989-90 to provide rural people with 90-100
days of employment. Focus on economically
backward villages.
 • National Rural Employment Generation
Scheme (NREGS): Provides 100 days of
guaranteed wage employment for rural
workers. Focus on developing rural
Additional infrastructure (e.g., irrigation, land
development).
Government
• Prime Minister Employment Generation
Schemes Programme (PMEGP): Merged with REGP
and PMRY to promote self-employment
opportunities for unemployed youth.
Housing and Rural
Development
Schemes
• Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY): Major
housing scheme for the rural
poor. Provides free homes for
those below the poverty line.
• Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya
Yojana (PMGY): Focuses on
providing rural shelter and
improving basic amenities like
water and sanitation.
 Food and Nutrition Support Schemes

2000
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Launched in 2000
to provide highly subsidized food grains to the
poorest families.

National Food for Work Programme: Launched

in 2004 to generate employment through
food-for-work programs. Now integrated under
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

2004
Employment and Livelihood Schemes

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM):
Focus on creating self-help groups to promote Organizes urban poor into self-help groups for
diversified employment for the rural poor. skill development and employment generation.
Training and Employment for Youth

TRYSEM (Training Rural

Youth for Prime Minister’s Rozgar
Self-Employment): Yojana (PMRY): Provides
Launched in 1979 to train self-employment
rural youth (ages 18-35) in opportunities for educated
technical skills for unemployed youth.
self-employment.