Week 1 Discussion

DQ1 Select a social problem that is important to you. Explain how this problem is socially constructed. What contributes to this social problem? What elements of society contribute to this problem, and how can it be alleviated? How is this problem perpetuated today?

DQ2 The sociological imagination encourages the idea to look at the world and its situations through a wider lens. Consider a social problem that you, your family, or maybe your close friends have experienced.  To look at the problem through a wider lens than your own perspective, apply the sociological imagination to the problem:

In order to do this, look past your previously constructed rationale, explore other possible reasons, on the micro (individual) and macro (political/systems/global) levels that may have impacted or perpetuated this social problem. Describe how using your sociological imagination helps you see the social problem. Does it widen your view?

MORE INFO 

Social problem today

Introduction

This is a list of social problems that we face today. We hope that you find it useful and informative!

Excessive debt

Excessive debt is a serious social problem because it causes many people to suffer financial hardship. The consequences of excessive debt can be devastating for individuals, their families and society as a whole.

• What causes excessive debt?

• The most common causes of excessive personal debt are: credit cards, mortgages and student loans (including the education system).

Loneliness

Loneliness is a major social problem. Loneliness can lead to depression and other mental health issues, as well as isolation, which can be dangerous if not addressed. It’s estimated that loneliness affects anywhere from one-third to one-half of Americans at some point during their lives—and that number may be even higher among college students!

So what’s the best way to combat this epidemic? Well, it may sound clichéd but it really is true: You have only yourself (or your friends) for company in this world; you’ll never find anyone else who understands what you’re feeling completely or completely understands how much your life has changed since last time they saw you (not counting those other times where they just didn’t call). And if we don’t accept ourselves fully as individuals with unique personalities—whatever those may mean—then no one will ever get close enough with us so that we can learn from them about ourselves too!

Poverty

Poverty is a situation in which people are not able to meet their basic needs. It’s important to understand that poverty is more than just income, but also includes access to resources (such as food and shelter).

Poverty can be measured in many different ways. One commonly used measure of poverty calculates the percentage of the population with an income below a certain amount per month—known as “the poverty line.” This measure was first developed by economist Malthus back in 1798; he found that about one-third of Britons were poor back then!

Pollution

• Air pollution is a problem in many cities, including Beijing, China and New York City.

• Water pollution is a serious issue for both humans and animals alike. A recent study revealed that nearly half of all fish species are at risk for extinction due to human activity like overfishing or chemical runoff from agricultural practices (source).

• Land pollution also has an effect on people’s health—it can lead to respiratory problems like asthma and lung cancer as well as other illnesses including skin rashes, chronic coughs and tuberculosis (source).

Fraud

Fraud is a serious issue, but it’s also a crime.

There are many types of fraud:

• Identity theft – when someone uses your personal information (like your name and address) to commit financial crimes such as credit card fraud or identity theft.

• Tax evasion – avoiding paying taxes by hiding income from the government instead of reporting it on their tax forms. This can result in fines and imprisonment if they are caught committing this crime repeatedly over time without being caught by law enforcement agencies such as IRS agents who investigate these types of crimes every year across America’s population base

Climate Change

Climate change is a global problem that has been caused by the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping Earth, causing it to heat up. This warming causes sea level to rise, extreme weather events (including hurricanes), and other problems associated with climate change.

Conclusion

I hope this post helps you understand how social problems affect our daily lives. They are not just a topic for experts or politicians to discuss, but rather something we all need to take action in as individuals!