Essay Example on Poverty as a Social Problem: Sociological Criteria Examined

Introduction

“Social problem” is the phrase that is used to describe conditions that are social and have the effect of upsetting the normal functioning of a society. In sociology, a social problem is regarded as a process through which such issues are socially constructed (Bourdieu, 2010).

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For this essay, I identify poverty as a social problem.

Sociological criteria used to identify a social problem

The sociological criteria commence when an argument or a claim is made by someone who insists that a particular behaviour or condition is dangerous. The next step proceeds to try and convince others to see things the same way he does and to suggest what actions need to be taken to salvage the situation from escalating further. Such a person is referred to as a claims maker. He could be an expert in the area with which he has an issue, or could be a victim of the same situation, or could be an activist seeking to assemble support that a particular case is a social problem(Therbon, 2013).

The next stage involves using the media to gain coverage that is in the claim maker’s favor. The media is a tool that shapes public opinion; as such, the public would then begin to develop a similar belief or attitude towards the problem. Further, claims makers could try to organize mass action to deal with the problem, and in the process, forcing the lawmakers to react accordingly.

Various conditions often hurt people as a result of poverty. Lack of adequate money to buy basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, being unable to get employed, etc., may not affect everyone, but those who are victims always feel aggrieved. Whether these conditions end up being social problems does not only depend on whether they exist, but rather, how concerned the public is.

In America, owing to several complaints and mass action led by social activists, poverty began to be seen as a social problem. In response, the federal government began to implement laws, policies, and programs such as the “war on poverty,” Medicaid- health care program for the poor, and Medicare- health care program for the old and vulnerable. Many Americans now rely on and benefit from these policies (Therborn, 2013).

Concept relevant to the social problem

The concept of “self and society” best affirms my choice of poverty as a social problem. It is based on the premise that what we do as individuals rely on what others think of us, most of whom we may have no control over. That to succeed, we not only rely on our efforts, but also on how others evaluate those efforts and deem them to be good enough, or not (Bauman, 1990).Everyone desires to get himself out of abject poverty and to live a decent and comfortable life. However, not everyone can realize this dream since their access is limited. Aspects such as favoritism and whether one has connections or not when seeking jobs or assistance, serve as an impediment.

These impediments come as circumstances or people, who are regarded as referees that set and control the rules of the game. One may have the self-determination but lacks the means to change his fate. For instance, jobs may be available at a place that demands you to relocate. However, the housing costs are way beyond what one can afford. Equally, other regions may have schools and hospitals that are well-equipped, but the fees and insurance costs respectively are not affordable. Such impediments do not arise on their own but are set up or established by society (Bauman, 1990). As such, while others may find it easy, the rest find themselves unable to escape poverty, not because they do not put in the effort, but because others do not let them (Jesop, 2016).

Research question

Is society its own worst enemy in the fight against poverty?

The sociological imagination is described as being able to relate problems and elements that are most personal to an individual to the social forces and historical contributions. It is the most excellent tool in sociology, through which one can understand and analyze social problems. How exactly are our experiences, and those of other people related to how society and its culture are structured?

One’s problem only becomes a social problem if society begins to see that it is caused by social forces and not just his characteristics. Sociological imagination demands that a link is drawn between an individual’s experiences and social effects.

Sociologists base their arguments on two conceptual frameworks to understand how best society functions. First, the structural-functional perspective insists that culture is a system that has interdependent parts that only perform well as a whole. For instance, the family is tasked to ensure the well-being of children. The education system is responsible for producing people with requisite knowledge and skills to aid the economy. In return, the economy ought to provide adequate goods and services to benefit its people. The political system plays the role of maintaining law and order (Seidler, 2010).

On the other hand, the conflict perspective alludes that society is full of inequalities. These inequalities benefit others while at the same time serving as a disadvantage to others. In return, conflict in society arises. The friction resulting from such biases could be a result of one’s race, gender, various economic classes, sexual orientation, different opinions on important social matters such as ownership of guns, etc. (Seidler, 2010).

Conclusion

Both concepts analyze society at a large and focuses on how the population relates to the social institutions while attempting to explain the source of various behaviors that are harmful to society. The structural-function perspective best elaborates on how interdependent people are and acknowledges social disharmony to be the source of harm. It agrees with the conflict perspective that inequalities witnessed are a result of factors such as race, class, gender, exploitation, discrimination, oppression, etc. (Seidler, 2010).

In light of these two theoretical perspectives, it is apparent that poverty should be non-existent. In a society that ought to function in tandem, everyone should be able to access various opportunities and privileges. However, its existence is owed to a culture that thrives on inequalities.

References

Bauman, Z. (1990). Thinking sociologically. Oxford, OX, UK: B. Blackwell.

Bourdieu, P. (2010) Sociology Is a Martial Art: Political Writings by Pierre Bourdieu (New York: The New Press).

Jessop, B. (2016) The State: Past, Present, Future (Cambridge: Polity).

Seidler, V.J. (2010) Embodying Identities: Culture, Difference and Social Theory (Bristol: Policy Press).

Therborn, G. (2013) The Killing Fields of Inequality (Cambridge: Polity).