Sociology Essay

Sociology and social policy
Social policy are the actions the government takes to maintain and improve h=the welfare of society. It includes state pension, healthe and welfare service etc. it deals with actual social problems such as crime,
It is wrong to say that sociology is the study of social problems, this misconception is formed because people believe that sociologist are motivated by the aim of finding solutions to various problems in society. This is true, but, it is only part of what sociologist study, but there is a distinction between social   problems and sociological problems.   A social problem is a practical problem formed by a variety of social issues. Sociologist do not confied their studies just to social problems, but they study any part of society that calls for an explanation. A sociological problem is any social phenomenon whether be it good or bad that requires a explanation. Social problems, usually defined as harmful to society, is merely a type of sociological problem.
Divorce is both a social problem and sociological problem, wheares marriage would only be a sociological problem.
Sociologist must concider the following questions:
  1. What is a social problem?
  2. Why is It a social problem?
  3. Who says it’s a social problem?
  4. Why is it being considered to the exclusion of others?
  5. What are the policies proposed and hwo will benefit from them?
Subjective and Objective elements
Social problems have a objecteive and subjective part. Interactionist empahasing the subjective part and the positivist the objective part.
Individuals can experience a problem subjectively, it can cause them anxiety and tension, it can be cause by poverty or unemployment.   AT the same time, umeploymnet is a objective reality in that it goes beyond the indivudal and has structural causes.
What is considered a social problem in one society may not be the same for another. Indifferent societies, social problems are viwed differently. Some...