15 EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The examples of social problems abound in modern society. These are any condition or behavior that has negative effects on large numbers of people and is recognized to need to be addressed.

Thus, there are situations that affect everyone, but whose resolution is not perceived as urgent. These are not considered social problems. Such is the case of global warming.

In itself, a social problem has an objective and a subjective component. The first is the accumulation of data and evidence of the negative consequences of a particular situation.

The subjective component is the different considerations on whether a problem should achieve the status of a social problem.

Some examples of social problems

Sexual assault against women

Sexual violence against women is one of the examples of social problems today. Feminist movements turned this behavior into a social problem during the 1970s.

Before this period, rape and sexual assault against women, although they already existed, were not considered a social problem.

The abortion

Although there is evidence that abortion has existed throughout history, there is currently an awareness of this problem. The way it is treated by legal systems varies in different countries.

In countries where abortion is legal, this practice has stabilized. But, in the others, abortion has reached epidemic proportions.

HIV and AIDS

Another example of more widespread social problems is the HIV / AIDS epidemic. There are prevention programs specially designed to target the most exposed groups.

These groups mostly belong to homosexual communities. Homosexuality is illegal in about 73 countries. At these sites, risk groups cannot access HIV services.

Juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency is a problem in modern society. It is related to social maladjustment among young people.

Due to the seriousness and generality of the matter, UNESCO has created programs to address it. It is particularly acute in some of the more developed countries.

Racial discrimination

It consists of the arbitrary denial of civil rights for racial or ethnic reasons. The use of the word arbitrary emphasizes that these groups are treated unequally only because of their race and ethnicity.

This type of discrimination occurs in the daily lives of racial minority groups: denial of service or poor service in stores or restaurants, police harassment, etc.

Loneliness in older adults

Loneliness has been defined as a subjective negative feeling associated with a perceived lack of a broader social network or the absence of a specific desired partner. It is a problem associated with modern life in large cities.

Fanaticism

Fanaticism is a stubborn and thoughtless attachment to one's opinions. It is indifferent to the truth and is highly detrimental to the social unit.

It comes from various causes, often started at home, developed at school, and upheld by the media and government laws.

The prejudice

Prejudice is an affective feeling towards a person or group member based solely on their group membership.

The word is often used to refer to preconceived feelings, usually unfavorable towards people for different reasons.

Unemployment

Work is the main source of income for individuals and families around the world. The unemployed worker faces great levels of both physical and mental stress, great family tension and a wide variety of financial consequences.

Poverty

Poverty is defined as sustained low levels of income for members of a community. According to experts, the top five factors of poverty (as a social problem) include: ignorance, illness, apathy, dishonesty, and dependency.

Contamination

Industrial waste, the lack of policies for the care of the seas and the abuse in the exploitation of non-renewable natural resources, have placed planet Earth in an environmental situation of tremendous vulnerability.

It is important to be aware of the importance of caring for the environment from the small committed actions of each citizen to state policies.

Corruption

When acts of corruption of the ruling class become widespread and become commonplace, the quality of life of citizens and their access to rights such as housing, health and education are put at risk.

The only way to stop these acts of corruption is to control the management of governments through the mechanisms created for this purpose and citizen participation.

Hungry

Around nine hundred million people suffer from hunger around the world, a problem that is focused on underdeveloped countries on the African continent.

More than two million children die each year from lack of food. It is important to develop humanitarian aid programs and more commitment from developed countries.

War

The military confrontations between certain countries constitute an offense against civil rights.

The arms race and science at the service of the creation of biological weapons are also major global social problems.

Bullying

Technological advancement and the proliferation of digital social networks increased the cases of child bullying, Physical bullying and cyberbullying have serious consequences on the psychological well-being of children and adolescents.

Drug addiction

The expansion of drug trafficking is one of the great concerns worldwide.

The abuse of prohibited substances and narcotics is one of the most recurrent causes of death among young people.

Articles of interest

Social problems in Guatemala.

Social problems in Peru.

Social problems in Mexico.

Social problems in Colombia.

References

1. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. (2010). Social Problems: Continuity and Change. Retrieved on January 9, 2018, from open.lib.umn.edu.
2. Chilean Family Protection Association Bulletin. (1982). Abortion: a social problem. Jan-Dec; 18 (1-12): 1-11.
3. Avert. (2016, August 10). HIV and AIDS Social Issues. Retrieved on January 9, 2018, from avert.org.
4. Kvaraceus, W. (1964). Juvenile delinquency, a problem for the modern world. UNESCO
5. Gibbs, L. (2014). Medical Implications of Elder Abuse and Neglect, An Issue of Clinics in Geratric Medicine. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences.
6. Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (2016, August 24). Bigotry. Retrieved on January 9, 2018, from encyclopedia.uia.org.
7. Sullivan, TA (2004). Work-related social problems. In G. Ritzer (editor), Handbook of Social Problems: A Comparative International Perspective, pp 193-208. Thousand Oaks: SAGE
8. Bartle, P. (2010, May 21). Factors of Poverty; The Big Five. Seattle Community Network. Retrieved on January 9, 2018, from nplainfield.org.