SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN SOCIETIES

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Abstract

This article sheds light and analyses the various problems in modern day societies. Its basis comes from intensive research in different groups of people and interactive interviews or questionnaires issued to a controlled group. The results are conclusive and aim to help identify and to help change some negative perspectives of the problems or help find solutions to them. The paper examines three randomly picked key issues that have an enormous impact on groups and the victims of such problems. The study is an in-depth approach to these problems but does not aim at providing a solution to these problems but rather bring them to light. The issues of abortion, same-sex marriage and women rights, though known are well known but often ignored. The study specifically tries to show the effect of the mentioned problems to trigger an empathic response from the reader. The paper briefly mentions the opinions and stands of different societies against these issues.

Social Problems in Societies

The society is an organization of people living together. They live with certain predefined laws, moral conducts and rules to maintain the societal integrity. Social problems, therefore, are matters that negatively affect the group in a society. Different societies view certain social interactions and behaviors differently so an issue in one society may not particularly be an issue in a different society. The existence of social problems is dependent on a society’s moral consciousness (Spector, 1987).

Problems

One of the hardest hitting societal problem is the issue of abortion. Abortion has always torn a rift between peoples’ beliefs as to when life begins. Pro-life adherents believe that life begins at conception and thus abortion is murder of an innocent child. Pro-choice adherents argue that the expectant mother has a choice to terminate or let the growing baby live. Presumably, abortion is justifiable in some circumstances (Marquis, 1989). Most churches and religious institutions do not support abortion, yet some governments allow circumstances under which it is acceptable. Most countries have laws that forbid abortion unless the expectant woman’s wealth is in danger, or she is a rape victim (Colker, 1992).

Same-sex marriage is an issue that has stirred up many emotions in modern day societies. It is the matrimonial union of people of the same gender identity. It is gaining a steady acceptance especially in the developed countries like the United States that support same-sex marriages cite their primary reason as according human rights to same-sex partners. Canada passed laws making it legal for gay men and lesbians to marry (Lahey, 2004). As expected, this issue does not sit well with those who see it as a deviation from God’s initial plan for marriage and those who perceive it as morally wrong. The Bible declares homosexuality as unnatural and immoral. The Biblical interpretation is subject to various interpretations in the modern world.

Women rights are a worldwide cause of concern. They are entitlements, privileges and rights that women should enjoy. They widely vary from equal employment opportunities for women to their rights to education. In the past, males have always played dominant roles in the society and had elevated privileges over their female counterparts. There is little attention paid to human rights of women at all levels of political organization (Tomasevski, 1993). Women right activists and supporters aim to address the perceived injustices and violations by advocating equal treatment of men and women. Women rights activism though, has raised concern in the recent past that it may lead to neglect and sideline of men and boys in the society. Women now get preference in some job opportunities and a fair allocation of key posts in the public domain.

Conclusion

Social problems exist in every society. Many societies try to tackle these social issues while others blatantly ignore them. Social issues cripple a society’s productivity and unity thus bringing about undesirable effects. There are too many concerns to enlist, but people are fighting back to eliminate them from their midst.

References

Colker, R. (1992). Abortion and dialogue: Pro-choice, pro-life, and American law. Indiana

University Press.Lahey, K. A., & Alderson, K. (2004). Same-Sex Marriage. Insomniac Press.Marquis, D. (1989). Why abortion is immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 183-202.

Spector, M. (1987). Constructing social problems. Transaction Publishers.Tomasevski, K. (1993). Women and human rights.