WELCOME to this blog for Sociology 215: Social Problems. As I noted in class, we will be using this blog for a variety of individual and group activities. When I post some material on this blog I will let you know about it in class, but it would be a good idea to check it out a couple times a week regardless. Sometimes I may just post some follow-up comments after a class, or I may post something over the long weekend (Thurs - Tues.). In any case, know that this blog is an extension of what we do in class and an important part of this course in social problems.
FIRST INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE:
In the context of my opening remarks (Thurs., 2/10 lecture) about developing a ground or basis for recognizing social problems, I want you to identify some aspect of contemporary American society which you believe is commonly accepted or widely practiced, yet still could be considered harmful or destructive, that is, be considered a social problem. What I mean by "aspect" of contemporary American society is very open-ended: a popular consumer product, government policy, business practice, social ritual, form of media or entertainment, etc.. Briefly describe this aspect and tell why you believe it is a problem, despite its wide acceptance. I am looking for NO MORE THAN 2 PARAGRAPHS (no dissertations). Post your response as a comment on this blog post. Please do so by FRIDAY, FEB. 18TH. This exercise is worth 5 activity points.
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An aspect of contemporary American society that I believe is a commonly accepted social problem is the issue of marketing unhealthy food towards children. Specifically, I am referring to foods, such as those high in sugar and calories rather than being high in nutrients that are advertised in order to appeal to children. This appeal is successful through the use of cartoon characters promoting a product. Examples of these products often include pastas, fruit snacks, different juices, and even the phase of green and purple ketchup. After the high amount of commercials advertising these products are shown in a short period of television time on children-directed programs, they will stand out to children and therefore will become the products children are asking their parents to buy.
I believe that this being a problem is shown through the increasing rates of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity, and unhealthiness in general, is destructive because of the biological, emotional and psychological impacts that it later inflicts upon these victims. Being overweight affects humans biologically by the way their health correlates with the way their body functions. Due to the pressure of resembling models and celebrities in our society, overweight children will most likely experience low self-esteem and psychologically resort to eating disorders. These are only a few of the many conflicts likely to be faced. Therefore, despite the wide acceptance of cartoon characters and movies promoting unhealthy food for children, I believe it is a social problem due to its lasting detrimental effects on the future health and lives of children.
Of the many social problems facing America today I feel that illegal immigration is one of the most important. A vast number of immigrants illegally cross our borders every year and the implications this has are dangerous. Illegals are often able to get either national or state provided welfare, thereby increasing the financial burden of an already indebted nation. Furthermore, in these times of unemployment and economic hardship these aliens are hired illegally and paid low wages, filling up jobs that could be given to American citizens.
However, I feel that the greatest threat that this issue poses is that it violates a core American belief, equality and fair treatment for all. First of all, by allowing illegal immigrants to enter our country via a border that is largely open and by seeking to grant illegals amnesty, our government is ignoring the fact that federal laws are being broken. As a citizen, this troubles and upsets me. It’s not often that you hear about citizens being forgiven for violating federal laws, so why should non-citizens?
The over consumption of alcohol in our country has long been a social problem. In today's globalized world it is much easier to market these alcoholic products, and it is much easier to influence a younger population. Young teens are being introduced to alcohol at very young ages and marketers realize this putting products on the shelves that resemble energy drinks and catch the attention of the young people. A prime example of this would be "Four Lokos." The can resembles your typical energy drink, but it contains a large percentage of alcohol and has lead to injury and even death. It has been pulled of the shelves permanently due to the tragic results after consumption of the product. Of those who died from drinking Four Lokos, a majority of them were under age.
The popularity of drinking has seeped into the family homes as parents will buy for teens and host parties for their children. They are supplying these young people with alcohol at an early age. These kids do not know how to drink responsibly yet, however, their parents cant say no because they dont want to upset their child. Luckily, laws have been set in place to prevent people from selling to minors and for adults allowing underage drinking on their property. Exposure to drinking early may cause dependency thus putting teens futures at risk.
What I perceive as a large social problem in today's society is the scope of drug education and how it "educates" students today. Drug education begins early; Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" program filters an aversion to drugs into children as young as first grade. This program is shallow, not "teaching" students in the sense that they understand the problem at hand, but instead creating a fear and bias against illegal drugs into the heads of small children, most of whom have little prior knowledge of or exposure to the drugs it demonizes.
Yet meanwhile, the same children are (often questionably) diagnosed with a learning disorder that is treated by the stimulant amphetamine (street name: Speed), the side effects of which include euphoria, aggression, sleep disorders, and even psychosis. Studies show that amphetamine's physical harm and risk of dependency far exceeds those of cannibis, anabolic steroids, and LSD, drugs that kids are programmed to loathe by their 6th birthday.
I am by no means suggesting that ADHD is an invalid condition (I myself am prescribed amphetamine); however, there exists a social problem of drug misrepresentation and mis-focus that is tied up in political and legal agendas, resulting in a societal misconception of drugs, their uses, and their risks.
One aspect of contemporary American society that I feel is widely accepted but also harmful is the way the media promotes what women should look like through television and magazines. This seems to have been a debate for years and it has been made known that magazine's airbrush the covers to make the person look the way they want or 'perfect'. While that truth may be out, it doesn't stop young girls from looking at these magazines and seeing that as the accepted norm or start to believe that is how they should look. I think that the media constantly projects these 'perfect' images to young girls and guys and sets an unrealistic expectation for our society. I believe that these unrealistic expectations that are accepted in modern society are a culprit in promoting low self-esteem and a constant need to improve oneself in many young girls. Ultimately these young girls grow up and have families of their own and the cycle tends to continue because the media is still promoting these 'perfect' images.
I believe that one of the social problems that have arisen in America is that of abortion. The population in the US is divided into those who believe in women rights and those that don't. I feel that many social problems have to do with the religious views of people. Many see and embryo as a human being. However others say that it isn't alive yet. This is viewed by many religious people as murder. However many advocate for women's rights, to do what they please with their bodies, hence having the right to abort a baby within the earlier months of pregnancy. I believe that many social conflicts are between religious and non-religious people and many other conflicts also start because of the different point of views from the both sides.
I believe this is a social problem because it divides our society and it is the cause of many different manifestations in the country. Additionally it has become an important topic during elections for many of our government elections. It has also become an affiliation with parties. One being known as accepting of abortion and the other as opposing abortion.
I believe one aspect of contemporary American society that is a commonly accepted social problem is the issue of divorce. I realize that people may go through divorce as an alternative to being with someone who they may not have truly know like they thought they did, but I believe that it becomes a real problem for our youth when they see this course of action being taken. Instead of teaching them to work through problems, or reach compromises, we teach them that it is ok to quit when things get tough. I understand that there are circumstances such as violence, cheating, or some other extreme, but when it is an issue that can be resolved in other ways, I believe that divorce is detrimental to our youth.
Not only the fact that divorce shows them a quick way out, the after effects of the divorce on the child in itself can be traumatic. The child may think the divorce is their fault and harbor those feelings and grow up always having that guilt. It is a sad reality, but divorce is an accepted way of quitting on vows of a life long partnership that people give to one another. The practice of divorce has created a never ending cycle that does not bode well for the future of the institution of marriage.
There is an issue in society that is really prominent in my mind, however I don't really know of a term for it. Single women and families are constantly having more children than they could possibly care for financially or emotionally. I feel like this is not only unfair to the child, but unfair to everyone involved as well because they feel a need to intervene for the sake of the child. This issue ties in with teenage pregnancy, because it is more and more common and accepted in society today. Teenagers don't have control of their normal teenage emotions, let's factor in the pregnancy hormones and the huge challenge of caring for an infant into the equation. Teen pregnancy is also typically accompanied by many more future pregnancies.
The second big issue is families that are financially unstable. I have volunteered at the soup kitchen, and women come in there with 3 babies, pregnant with another. It is not acceptable to be unable to feed your children yet continue reproducing.
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