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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
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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
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Who Has Abortions?
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Methods for Studying Social Problems
 Major Research Designs:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Case studies
Surveys
Experiments
Field studies/Participant Observation
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Sociological Research
 Ways to gather information
1)
2)
3)
4)
Interviews
Questionnaires
Documents
Observation
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Should Sociologists Take Sides?
 How do sociologists remain detached?
 Should the sociologist remain neutral or
involved?
 Should sociologists define social problems?
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Sociological Research
 Principles Underlying Sociological Research:



Use scientific method
Do not base conclusions on emotions or
personal values
Use the sociological imagination
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