Question

Social problems are socially constructed. First, explain what this means in your own words. Then, using homelessness as an example, describe this problem is impacted by social constructions of homelessness.

Answer 1

Some of the social problems affecting mankind and the different societies and regions of the world today include homelessness, mental illness, drug abuse, and anti-social behavior among others. There can be certain ways through which these social problems can be studied and analyzed, and one of them is the “Socially Constructionist” approach, which helps us know how a problem is designated as a social problem. According to the approach, the kind of the problem, as well as the degree to which it is perceived to be problematic for and by society depends on the social interaction's function. Also, social problems may depend on the norms, ethics, values, and/or laws in a given region, and hence can be seen as constructed socially. For instance, in many of the regions of the USA and also in the earlier time periods, drunk-driving was not as severely stigmatize as it is today in some other parts of the country. While the private problems do not have any public policy dimension to them, the social problems (can cause more anxiety for the whole society) or the socially constructed problems maybe responded with disproportionate outrages and can be significant depending on their social construction.

Social problems may occur due to deficiency is in social order or social justice, among other reasons, and the general idea among the communities and people of society for these problems is that “something should be done”. Societies have to react to these problems and find remedies as they cannot be allowed to continue forever. That is why public responses are initiated for social problems, that are constructed socially through normal interactions as well as through well-guided efforts of individuals, groups, and people. These responses may sometimes come out on their own or maybe facilitated at other times. Intervention to the socially-constructed social problems can provide for improved social justice, enhancement of social protection, as well as social welfare, and satisfy the desire of the majority of people in a society. Therefore, we can say that social problems can be termed as socially constructed as they capture the attention of common people and are a point of discussion of the masses. These problems are also culturally and historically specific, which means that they are visible in, or belong to, certain particular societies at certain given and particular times. For instance, social problems would be different for the USA and India today. A social problem is revealed when some people start to experience it and the attention of others is drawn to it. In other cases, certain people can themselves be a cause of the social problem, for instance, the mentally ill people. However, in either of the cases, there is a general concern that the issues involved should be resolved.

How Homelessness Is Impacted By The Social Constructions Of It

Homelessness was one of the social problems that emerged in the United Kingdom in the late 20th century, among other social problems including child abuse and school discipline. The attention of the common people to the matter was also drawn in by the communication channels including radio, television, and newspapers, and due to individual/group and government campaigns and programs. Homelessness is seen as a stigma by the majority of people of the society, and the sufferers of the problem also generate empathy and pity in the common people. The morals of the societies also promote well being of all and hence the issue of homelessness can appeal more to those who are guided by ethics and morals. All of these aspects associated with homelessness, and certain others, making it a point of interaction and discussion in the common people and societies, and contribute to the social construction of the problem. Societies may not allow homelessness to continue forever, as it may result in increased crime, the spread of diseases, hooliganism, and poverty. The urge of the people towards resolving a social problem such as homelessness increase when more light is brought to the issue. The problem of homelessness was not there in the 19th century, which confirms the fact that social problems exist in particular societies at particular time periods.

As we know, the views, opinions, and trends in society may also change with passing time. For instance, there was no social problem of homelessness in the 19th century not because there were no homeless people, but it was an accepted “fact of life” for a majority of people in society then. Another example here can be that of India, where illiteracy was common around 70 to 80 years ago and was not considered to be a social problem. Now, illiteracy is the major social problem as the awareness of common people in the country regarding literacy and the benefits of it have increased. Hence there is a general notion and opinion in the people of the country that something should be done to alleviate illiteracy in the country and its different regions. Apart from efforts at the community and social level, the government of the country is also taking cognizance of the fact and has specific policies and programs to alleviate illiteracy.

A social problem like homelessness is socially constructed when it is perceived to be a problem by society, and the common and majority of people it wants to get rid of the issue and to improve. There can be campaigns that draw the attention of people of the society to certain occurring that help them know that a certain social problem exists. For instance, the campaigns regarding homelessness and the suffering associated with it are initiated by groups and individuals, and media also helps in spreading more information regarding it. Therefore the issue becomes a major point of discussion amongst the commoners.

Also, social problems such as homelessness were constructed socially in advanced and modern industrial societies when the welfare of the whole State was linked to these problems. Because of the efforts provided by individuals, groups, as well as the governments, more and more public attention was gained by issues including homelessness and poverty. Homelessness can also be viewed as an individual problem or an occurrence of misfortune, but not in cases when it affects quite a noticeable number of people of the society. That is why we do not see any public discussions on homelessness in countries like the USA. There are also no government initiatives and programs toward resolving homelessness in the USA. However, affordable housing schemes are initiated by the government in countries including India, where homelessness is a major problem affecting a substantial number of people, and the problem also has huge public attention.