The Sociology of Social Problems

Social problems are all around us, and yet it can be hard to describe exactly what they are. How do we know when something is a social problem? The answer turns out to be somewhat complex. You see, people care about different things for different reasons, and their capacity to care waxes and wanes over time. Someone who wants to get something done about a problem must motivate others to join them, making the business of social problems inherently sociological. This section will review key theories explaining dynamics of social problems.