Introduction
Introduction to Social Problem
Certain adverse situations that may have harmful consequences may affect societies. They may hinder the normal functioning of the society. Such harmful situations are known as social problems. These problems arise because every society has certain norms and values. When these norms and values are violated, they result in social problems. They are problems because such deviation of norms and values are dysfunctional in the society. Some of the examples of social problems are drug addiction, terrorism, youth unrest, juvenile delinquency, corruption, offences against women, environmental degradation, etc.
However, not all violations of social norms and values result in social problems. For example, when a person sports an unusual hairstyle it does not become a social problem. Similarly, social problem may vary with time and over space. Smoking was not considered a social problem earlier. At present with the rising health consciousness, smoking is considered a major social problem. Similarly, sati was not considered as a problem in the medieval India. However, in modern India it is seen as a social problem.
A society may consider a certain practice as a social problem where as it may not be a problem in another society. This is because the norms and values are not the same in all the societies. Divorce may be seen as a serious problem in some societies, but it may not be so in other societies. However, there are certain practices that are considered harmful in all societies viz. murder, terrorism, rape, etc.
Definition
Many scholars have tried to define social problem but it is difficult to arrive at a commonly accepted definition. 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”. Similarly,