A Social Problem is any condition or circumstance within a group, culture or society that most people believe to be a problem. In order for people to reach the consensus that something is a social problem, it must be brought to their attention. Slavery, for example, was first presented as a social problem by the Quakers/The Religious Society of Friends. Drunk driving was first presented as a social problem by a mom from California who lost her young child to a drunk driver.
But they could not do it alone. In order to elevate the problem to a status where others could respond in agreement and build the consensus, a social movement needed to begin.
OK. Your task...Think of a social problem that is significant to you and check out the process that occurred causing the problem to be recognized on a societal level. Then, report your brief findings here.
3 comments:
The topic I chose as a social problem what child abduction. This became an issue when a nine year old girl Amber Hagerman was abducted in 1996 while riding her bike in Arlington,Texas.
Due upon abduction of Amber her parents contacted the police and another gentleman whose daughter also was taken and murdered Marc Klaas.
There was a search party set out and four days later her body was found by a local man is a storm drain. The killer was never found.
No sooner after that her parents started P.A.S.O People Against Sex Offenders. Amber's parents then collected signature for Texas legisalature to pass more laws protecting children. This cause P.A.S.O to get lots of media responses. No soon after local congress man Mark Frost with Marc Klass drafted up the Amber Hagerman Child protection ACt and President Clinton signed it into law in October 1996.
Poverty is one of the largest social problems. The Elizabeth Poor Laws established a way to set a poor rate that separated the deserving of assistance and the non-deserving. Mental illness, substance abuse, and unemployment rates are some factors that contribute to the high and continued escalating existence of poverty. Many people turn a blind eye to poverty...whether individuals are not directly affected by it, havent experienced it, or adapt the view point that homeless and impoverished individuals are lazy. Historically poverty is a growing social and economic problem. Today, job markets are failing, and jobs in general are becoming more difficult to obtain. In past, demand exceeded the amount of adult workers, today there are just no jobs. Upper and middle classes are feeling the affects of losing their jobs, not being able to pay their bills, and possibly being homeless. Unfortunaetly the already impoverished people are falling below the radar. Unfortunaetly poverty and unemployment go hand and hand, and as the upper and middle class begin to be affected the awareness of the social problem existing rises.
~laura Kumkowski
I have picked Human Trafficking as a social problem effecting millions of women and young children every year. Trafficking is labeled as the form of modern-day slavery. Each year an estimated 700,000 to 1.5 million people worldwide fall victim to international traffickers. These victims, predominately women and children, are forced into unpaid labor, debt bondage, coerced prostitution or sexual servitude, often under the direction of international organized crime rings. The trafficking of human beings is the third largest source of profit for international organized crime, after drugs and arms, with revenue amounting to billions of dollars each year.
Trafficking in persons is a heinous crime and human rights abuse. The targeted population most likely to be affected is the most vulnerable members of the global community, those who have limited access to social services and protections, are targeted by traffickers for exploitation. Steps have been taken, however, to locate victims, reinstate their inherent rights, provide them with protection and services, and prosecute offenders.
No country is immune from human trafficking. Victims are forced into prostitution or to work in quarries and sweatshops, on farms, as domestics, as child soldiers, and in many forms of involuntary servitude. Traffickers often target children and young women. They routinely trick victims with promises of employment, educational opportunities, marriage, and a better life (U.S. Department of State. 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State.) Due to the “hidden” nature of trafficking activities, gathering statistics on the magnitude of the problem is a complex and has become a very difficult task this has become a serious social problem effecting young children and women each and every year.
Post a Comment