Social Problems
Checkpoint: Social Problems
HSM/240
11/02/2012
Social problems are defined as societal induced conditions that harm any segment of the population. Social problems are also related to acts and conditions that violate the norms and values found in society. They are any condition that affects the quality of life for an individual or society as a whole; social problems are defined by history, cultural values, cultural universals, and awareness. Examples of social problems would be unemployment, child abuse, and poverty. Social policy is a formal strategy to shape some aspect of social life. It is a policy for dealing with social issues. These policies generally are not designed with the needs of individuals in mind; rather they are designed for groups of people who share a common social problem. An example of social policy would be affirmative action, which was a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities. Social programs refer to any government program that provides help or support for those in need. Social Welfare Programs as they are called today, comes in many forms including, family cash aid, welfare to work, aid to dependent children, food stamps, unemployment insurance, disability and some form of national health care (Medicare and Medicaid). The objective is to provide a social safety net for those who, for whatever reason, cannot provide for themselves in one or more of these areas of concern. The ultimate goal is to reduce poverty to the maximum extent possible.
Social problems affect every society, part of this is due to the fact that any members of a society living close enough together will have conflicts. The list of social problems is huge and not identical from area to area. In the US, some major social issues include unemployment, which doesn’t just affect those unemployed but affects the whole economy. Poverty is another social
HSM/240
11/02/2012
Social problems are defined as societal induced conditions that harm any segment of the population. Social problems are also related to acts and conditions that violate the norms and values found in society. They are any condition that affects the quality of life for an individual or society as a whole; social problems are defined by history, cultural values, cultural universals, and awareness. Examples of social problems would be unemployment, child abuse, and poverty. Social policy is a formal strategy to shape some aspect of social life. It is a policy for dealing with social issues. These policies generally are not designed with the needs of individuals in mind; rather they are designed for groups of people who share a common social problem. An example of social policy would be affirmative action, which was a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities. Social programs refer to any government program that provides help or support for those in need. Social Welfare Programs as they are called today, comes in many forms including, family cash aid, welfare to work, aid to dependent children, food stamps, unemployment insurance, disability and some form of national health care (Medicare and Medicaid). The objective is to provide a social safety net for those who, for whatever reason, cannot provide for themselves in one or more of these areas of concern. The ultimate goal is to reduce poverty to the maximum extent possible.
Social problems affect every society, part of this is due to the fact that any members of a society living close enough together will have conflicts. The list of social problems is huge and not identical from area to area. In the US, some major social issues include unemployment, which doesn’t just affect those unemployed but affects the whole economy. Poverty is another social
References: National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.endhomelessness.org Family Guidance Center of Alabama. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.familyguidancecenter.org