Understanding Social Problems and Constructions

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What distinguishes a social problem from an individual problem?

Individual problems can only be solved through personal effort.

Social problems are always recognized by society as harmful.

Social problems are embedded in a social context impacting groups. (correct)

Individual problems arise in isolation without any social context.

What is a defining characteristic of the subjective definition of a social problem?

It has a clear monetary value associated with it.

It depends on people's perceptions and their responses. (correct)

It can never change over time.

It is universally agreed upon across all societies.

Which statement best captures the nature of social constructions?

They are created through shared meanings and have real consequences. (correct)

They are arbitrary and have no impact on individual behavior.

They are purely imaginary and do not influence real life.

They arise naturally and are universally recognized.

Which of the following is an example of a social problem that is rooted in social context rather than individual behavior?

Increasing child obesity rates in a community. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a causal claim about social problems?

Racism stems from historical power imbalances. Signup and view all the answers

How do societal views influence the perception of social problems?

They shape which conditions are recognized as problematic. Signup and view all the answers

What role does language play in social constructions?

It helps establish shared meanings and realities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is correctly labeled as a social problem based on the content provided?

Widespread mass incarceration across communities. Signup and view all the answers

What role do gender norms play in organizations?

They influence practices and relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the suggested solutions to address the uneven childcare responsibility on women?

Provide public childcare and change family leave policies Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the belief in the 'Super Mom' myth?

Reduced economic independence for women. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'comparable worth' in the context of gender inequality?

Female-dominated jobs receive lower pay than what appropriate skills would suggest Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes housing insecurity?

Uncertainty about housing tenure. Signup and view all the answers

How do ideologies influence individual behaviors regarding gender?

They can become internalized through socialization. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is suggested to require change for further progress in gender roles?

Altering cultural attitudes and institutional practices Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a key element of housing insecurity?

Social connectedness Signup and view all the answers

What role do institutions play in gender inequality?

They determine the distribution of power and resources Signup and view all the answers

At which level of social structure are gender norms primarily enacted?

Micro-level Signup and view all the answers

Why is the gender wage gap significant in understanding gender roles?

It reveals learned behaviors rather than innate traits. Signup and view all the answers

What impact do landlords have on housing insecurity?

Landlords influence security through practices and policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of norms in society?

They often reflect a power imbalance in their definition and enforcement Signup and view all the answers

How are cultural values constructed and reproduced?

Through both formal and informal contexts of daily life Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about gender norms?

They are solely based on biology. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'gender norms' in the context of culture?

They guide behavior and shape societal expectations Signup and view all the answers

What does internal validity refer to in research?

Logical, evidence-supported claims. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes external validity in research?

The generalizability of findings to other contexts or populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of social desirability bias in research?

Respondents providing answers they think are acceptable. Signup and view all the answers

Which bias ignores contradictory evidence according to the content?

Confirmation Bias. Signup and view all the answers

At the micro level of the micro-meso-macro theory of structure, what challenges do individual tenants face?

Eviction and poor living conditions. Signup and view all the answers

How do landlords often rationalize abusive behaviors?

Citing legal cynicism and a so-called culture of poverty. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of 'wicked' social problems?

They are complex and difficult to solve. Signup and view all the answers

What impact can lengthy eviction processes have on landlord behavior?

They can encourage informal evictions and legal cynicism. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of public housing?

To assist low-income families with government-funded housing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes internal validity?

The logical and reliable support of claims with evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of gentrification in neighborhoods?

Shifts in population demographics and neighborhood character. Signup and view all the answers

How do housing voucher programs assist low-income families?

By offering financial assistance for renting homes. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key threat to external validity in housing studies?

Generalizing findings from a specific case to broader populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a misconception often associated with gentrification?

All residents benefit equally from gentrification. Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a focus of studies on housing insecurity and gentrification?

The personal stories of individual tenants facing displacement. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following neighborhoods is gentrification least likely to occur?

Historically marginalized neighborhoods often avoided by higher-income populations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social problems are harmful conditions that can be defined by objective facts (e.g., racism, sexism, drug abuse) or by subjective perceptions of a society.
Social problems are dynamic, changing as people's opinions and experiences shape what they see as problematic.
Social problems in a society often reflect the experiences and values of its members.

Social constructions are shared meanings that societies assign to phenomena.
Examples of social constructions include race, gender, nationality, sexuality, money, time, poverty, terrorism, truth, beauty, honor, status, and merit.
Social constructions are not fictional but originate from social processes and have real-world consequences.

Social problems are distinguishable from individual problems by their embeddedness in social context.
Examples of social problems rooted in social structure include inequality, traffic, mass incarceration, segregation, and global warming.

Descriptive Claims: Address the scale, scope, and commonality of a social problem, while acknowledging potential variations in individual experiences.
Causal Claims: Identify factors contributing to the problem, often through suggesting causal arguments supported by evidence.

Causal claims about gender inequality often point to both institutional and cultural factors.

Institutions and Gender Inequality

Institutions are organized collectives with established roles and rules influencing behavior and resource distribution.
Institutional processes can perpetuate inequalities (e.g., unequal pay in female-dominated fields, access to childcare).
Potential solutions include state policies like anti-discrimination legislation and changes in institutional rules.
Institutions influence the meso-level of social structure.

Culture and Gender Inequality

Gender norms are expectations shaped by culture that guide behavior, often enforcing power imbalances.
Norms are enacted by individuals at the micro-level of social structure (e.g., competition for rewards, power, safety).
Culture encompasses the way of life of a people, including technology, beliefs, rituals, and everyday practices.

Doing Gender

Gender is a social construct that is performed and reinforced through everyday interactions.
Gender differences are not innate but learned behaviors influenced by social norms.
Gender norms permeate social structures, shaping practices and relationships in various settings (e.g., workplaces, families).
Doing gender can perpetuate inequalities by placing burdens on women.

Gender Ideology

Ideologies are systems of beliefs, often internalized through socialization, that shape thoughts and actions.
Dominant ideologies, like meritocracy, reinforce the status quo, masking underlying social structures.
Gender ideology influences many social interactions, including the perception of merit and success in society.

Housing Insecurity

Housing insecurity refers to a lack of control over one's housing situation, including difficulty acquiring housing, risk of losing housing, and living in inadequate conditions.
A rise in the relative cost of housing contributes to this issue.

Key Elements of Housing Insecurity

Affordability: The cost of housing relative to income.
Credit: Access to credit for purchasing or securing rental housing.
Availability: The physical availability of suitable housing units.
Residential Instability: The frequency of relocations or housing changes.
Gentrification and Displacement: The process of wealthier individuals moving into poorer neighborhoods, often leading to displacement of low-income residents and altering neighborhood character.

Mechanisms Contributing to Housing Insecurity

Social Networks: Support systems and connections that can influence housing stability.
Landlords: The practices and policies of landlords significantly impact tenants' security.
Real Estate Intermediaries: Agents and brokers who can facilitate or hinder access to housing.

The Role of Policy in Housing Security

Public housing, housing voucher programs, and tenant protections are policy measures aimed at promoting housing security.

Gentrification

Gentrification occurs when wealthier individuals move into lower-income neighborhoods, often leading to changes in population demographics, local businesses, and neighborhood character.
It can negatively impact historically marginalized neighborhoods that have been avoided by higher-income individuals.

Research on Housing Insecurity and Gentrification

Studies on housing insecurity and gentrification often employ quantitative designs using data sources such as Medicaid records or housing surveys.
It is essential to evaluate the internal validity (logical and evidence-supported claims) and external validity (generalizability of findings) of such research.
Threats to validity include social desirability bias, confirmation bias, and confounding bias.

Research on gentrification focuses on its scale and impact on neighborhoods while distinguishing it from neighborhood integration.
Displacement and social mobility are critical considerations in addressing gentrification as a social problem.

Notes on Problematic Landlord Behavior

Landlords' abusive behavior can include illegal actions like removing doors, cutting off utilities, or enforcing surveillance by neighbors.
Legal cynicism, blaming tenants for their situation, and the "culture of poverty" are rationalizations used by landlords to justify their actions.

Unintended Policy Effects on Landlord Behavior

Policy interventions aimed at addressing social problems can have unintended consequences, making problem-solving a complex and ongoing process.
Policy changes can lead to "whack-a-mole" scenarios where solving one problem produces new ones.
Example: Introducing a plant-eating bug to control a certain plant can disrupt the ecosystem and affect various species.

Landlord Perspectives on Policy Impacts

Landlords may face challenges due to lengthy eviction processes, difficulty recovering lost rent, and concerns about tenant screening practices.
These concerns can contribute to discriminatory practices and legal cynicism.

Micro-Meso-Macro Theory of Structure

Social problems often involve a complex interplay of micro-, meso-, and macro-level structures:
Micro Level: Individual experiences and behaviors (e.g., tenant facing eviction due to low rent)
Meso Level: Institutions and local government policies (e.g., balance between tenant rights and financial interests of landlords)
Macro Level: Broader economic systems and power dynamics (e.g., capitalism favoring landlords over tenants).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the concept of social problems and their distinction from individual issues. It delves into social constructions, their meanings, and real-world implications. Test your knowledge on how societal values and experiences shape the definitions of these concepts.