SOCIAL

PROBLEM
Submitted by:- saiyam
(2521046)
Submitted to:- Ms. Asha
Mam
 Meaning of Social Problem
• When a particular social phenomenon or condition disturbs the social
order and hinders the smooth working of social institutions that come to
be identified as a social problem. At the initial phase, such conditions are
neglected since they do not have any serious adverse effects on the
social system. But gradually, they get accumulated and begin to affect
normal social life. Such a condition is recognized as a social problem.
Once a social problem takes roots and develops beyond the bounds of
tolerance, there arises resentment against it and there is a demand for
remedy in the interest of social harmony. For example, the degradation
of the soil in certain regions of Punjab and Haryana is being caused by
the accepted methods of farming.
 Definition of Social Problem
According to Fuller and Myers, a social problem is “a condition which is defined
by a considerable number of persons as a deviation from some social norms
which they cherish”.
According to Merton and Nisbet define social problem as “a way of behaviour
that is regarded by a substantial part of society as being in violation of one or
more generally accepted or approved norms”.
According to Carr, “a social problem exists whenever we become conscious of a
difficulty, a gap between our preference and the reality”.
• According to Goddard, “Poverty is insufficient supply of those things which are
requisite for an individual to maintain himself and those dependent upon him in
his health and vigour”.
 Causes of Social Problem
Social change leads to social problems: All social changes do not
cause problems. Those social changes which are ordinary in nature and
do not cause any problems of adjustments for the people to carry on with
their day-to-day activities rarely trigger social problems. But when
problems of adjustment are created by social change, social problems
may creep in.
• For examples, attempts by the government to introduce educational
change through a new educational policy which is basically defective,
may lead to problems such as student unrest and educated
unemployment. A sudden military revolt may push a nation towards
political instability and social insecurity.
 Causes of Social Problem
Cultural lag causing social problems: W. F. Ogburn who introduced the
concept of ‘cultural lag’ states that changes are quick to take place in the
material culture. These, in turn, stimulate changes in the non-material culture.
But the non-material culture may be slow to respond giving rise to a gap or a lag
between the material and non-material cultures. This lag is called the ‘cultural
lag’. This lag or cultural lag may lead to problems of adjustment and also to
social problems.
• For example, the process of deforestation is taking place faster to cater to the
needs of the growing paper industry, house construction,, making furniture,
etc. (material culture). But the art of conservation of forest (non-material
culture) does not keep pace with these industrial developments. The result is
the problem of the environmental population.
 Causes of Social Problem
• Natural disasters: Nature has been bountiful to man no
doubt. But man often becomes a victim of its wrath.
Floods, famines, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tsunami, outburst of contagious diseases, etc.
Represent the furious faces of nature. Almost every year,
lakhs of people in the world become the victims of these
extremes of nature. Man’s attempts to control nature and
its forces have not been complete and can never become
so. Somewhere at some time some people or the other will
have to pay a great price in the form of facing the wrath of
nature.
 Causes of Social Problem
Political and social dangers: Nature is not the only source
causing danger to man’s life; man himself creates conditions that
often prove to be not only harmful but even dangerous. Like
political revolution, revolts, communal riots, racial conflicts,
terrorism, ethnic clashes, mass movements, military rebellion,
arson and loots, bomb explosions, etc., disturb even the society
which has a well-established organization.
• For example, the Godra incident at Gujarat that triggered after
the burning alive of 58 persons (Ram Sevakas) in a railway
compartment in the year 2002.
 Causes of Social Problem
• Biological causes: Serious ups-and-downs in populations, population
explosion, great imbalance in the composition of the population, the spread of
diseases, lack of supply of nutritious food and such other biological factors
disturb the social balance in the society.
• Psychological causes: Man’s mental tendencies, temperament, his own
inherited qualities influence his behaviour and activities. Sometimes, these
aspects of man may disturb him in making adjustments with the changing
times. Mental qualities such as instincts, imitation, suggestibility, hatredness,
prejudice, anger, jealousy, competitiveness, aggressiveness, hysterical nature,
etc., do have their own positive and negative impact on human behaviour and
activities. These activities ultimately decide how efficiently or inefficiently they
face social challenges or cope with the disturbing social conditions.
 Causes of Social Problem
Technological inventions: Technology has its own limitations. It has
brought both good and bad results for man. As Ogburn stated, technology
widens the gap between the material and non-material parts of culture. Men
are becoming more materialistic and less traditional. Men are devoted more
to quantity than to quality, to measurement than to appreciation. Human
beings by the use of machines have become less human, more passive and
more mechanical. There has been a movement towards individualism and
hedonism (pleasure – seekers) which has its own adverse effects on society.
• For example, due to technological advancement cities have given
encouragement to social problems such as slums, crimes, prostitution,
environmental pollution, gambling, drug addiction, etc.
• Radical changes in social values: Social values play a vital role in
maintaining social equilibrium, but these values themselves are subject
to change. There is a close affinity between social values and social
relationships. Hence, when social values change social relationships also
get changed. Younger generation is in a better position to adjust itself
with the changing values, whereas the older generation finds it difficult
to do so. This situation often leads to a gap between the generations.
This ‘generation gap’ gives rise to clashes and conflicts between the
parents and children, students and teachers, and the old and the new.
• Laxity of social control: Social organization is possible because of the
successful functioning of social control. But rigidity and failure on the
part of the means of social control to adjust themselves to the changing
times make them to become less effective. Thus, folkways, mores,
customs, religion, law, values and such other means of social control
have become weak. A reduction in the effectiveness of the means of
social control naturally leads to an increase in the instances of crimes,
violence, exploitation, terrorism, cheating, sex crimes, etc.
 Thank
You