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Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach 8th edition James M. Henslin *This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performances or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 The Sociological Imagination Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills): Looking at people’s behavior and attitudes in the context of the social forces that shape them. Changes in society have a profound influence on people’s lives Emphasis on how larger events have an impact on how we think, feel, act Connecting personal troubles and public issues Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Who Has Abortions? Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 What is a Social Problem? Social Problem: Some aspect of society that people are concerned about and would like changed. Examples of Social Problems: Crime Poverty Sexual abuse Domestic violence War Racism Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Elements of a Social Problem Objective Condition Measured Experienced Subjective Concern Concern about the social problem Both sides of the issue Culturally influenced Change in societies will cause a change in opinions and concerns Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Objective & Subjective Concerns: Abortion before Roe v.Wade (1973) Objective Abortion was illegal Subjective Women who wanted them could not get them Untrained individuals performing abortions Women died from botched, underground surgeries Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Social Problems are Relative A social problem may: Benefit some Be a solution for some Be a disaster for others Abortion as a Solution Abortion as a Disaster Who benefits when abortions are performed? Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 The Natural History of Social Problems First Stage: Defining the Problem The Emergence of Leaders Organizing Around the Issue Second Stage: Crafting the Official Response Third Stage: Reacting to the Official Response Fourth Stage: Developing Alternative Strategies Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Judicial Decisions: Abortion 1973: Roe v. Wade 1989: Webster v. Reproductive Services 1992: Casey v. Planned Parenthood 1993: Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 The Role of Sociology in Social Problems Sociology: The study of social behavior, helps us see past the passions that surround a social problem. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 The Role of Sociology in Social Problems Sociologists can… 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Measure objective conditions. Measure subjective concerns Apply the sociological imagination Identify different ways to intervene in a social problem Evaluate likely consequences of social policies Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Sociology and Common Sense Common sense: The ideas common to a society or some group within a society to make sense out of their experience in life. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Methods for Studying Social Problems Major Research Designs: 1) 2) 3) 4) Case studies Surveys Experiments Field studies/Participant Observation Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Sociological Research Ways to gather information 1) 2) 3) 4) Interviews Questionnaires Documents Observation Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Should Sociologists Take Sides? How do sociologists remain detached? Should the sociologist remain neutral or involved? Should sociologists define social problems? Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Sociological Research Principles Underlying Sociological Research: Use scientific method Do not base conclusions on emotions or personal values Use the sociological imagination Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008