Basic

Concepts
of Social
Problems

SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN
INDIA
 INTRODUCTION

 ‘Social Problems’ is considered a sub-discipline of Sociology.

 Individual problem is one which affect the society at large.
 Resolution lies within the immediate milieu of the individual/group.
 Drug abuse, alcoholism, ageing, population explosion, corruption,
AIDS, inequality, child abuse, terrorism, pollution, poverty,
environmental degradation, unemployment and crime against women.
 Societal issue is one which affects the society as a whole or larger part of the
society.
 Aims of Social worker to deal with Social Problems.
 WHAT IS SOCIAL PROBLEM?
(DEFINITIONS)
 A social problem has been defined as “a situation confronting a
group or a section of society which inflicts injurious consequences
that can be handled only collectively”. (Reinhardt, 1952)
 “deviation from the social ideal remediable by group ef fect”.
(Welsh and Fur fey, 1961)
 “a conditions which is defined by a considerable number of
persons as a deviation from some norms which they cherish”.
(Fuller and Myers, 1941)
 “a way of behavior that is regarded by a substantial par t of a
social order as being in violation of one or more generally
accepted or approved norms”. (Mer ton and Nisbet, 1971)
 “a problem in human relationships which seriously threatens
society or impedes the impor tant aspirations of many people”.
(Raab and Selznick , 1959)
 CONT.…

 Horton and Leslie (1970) write that a social problem is “a

condition affecting a significant number of people in ways
considered undesirable, about which it is felt that something
can be done through collective social action”.
CHARACTERISTIC OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS

 All Social Problems are:

 Situations which have injurious consequences for society
 Deviations from the ideal situation
 Common basis of origin
 Social in origin
 Caused by pathological social conditions
 Interconnected
 Affect all sections of society.
 Responsibility for Social problems is Social
 All social problems occur in all societies.