Toward a Definition of Social Problems

Objective Reality to Social Problems

Eitzen et al. (2009:8) argue that some social conditions are detrimental in any situation.  In this sense, they have an objective character.  There are conditions in society such as poverty, racism, sexism that cause material or psychological suffering for parts of the population.  They prevent members of society from developing and using their full potential.  This sort of suffering exists regardless of personal or cultural opinion. Those conditions are, therefore, social problems in any social setting.

1. Subjectivity
   A problem with this is that subjectivity is ever-present.  The process of choosing a social condition to study in the first place is subjective.
   
2. Bias
   Bias is a preference or an inclination for something.   Bias can inhibit impartial judgment.  Realizing that we have biases is important . We have feelings and values. Such feelings and values determine what we study . However, once we have acknowledged our biases, we cannot only report facts that we discover that support our point of view.

All Social Research is Political

Regarding the study of anything social, the research is either going to look at the characteristics of the individual or the social system within which a "problem" occurs.  One approach accepts the definition of deviance and the other "undermines" that accepted definition.  In this case, both approaches are political, "yet there is a tendency to label as political only the research that challenges the system" (Eitzen et al. 2009:9).  When research does point to systemic issues that harm the position of the poor, often the charge of Bias is raised. 

We hear the charge of bias when "research gives credence in any serious way, to the perspective of subordinate groups in some hierarchical relationship" (Eitzen, 1986:7).

Seeing bias on these terms is peculiar because "it is easily ascertained that many more studies are biased in the direction of the interests of responsible officials than the other way around.

We must not automatically accept only those definitions that define social problems from the point of view of those in power .

Official Definitions of Social Problems

One reason Eitzen et al. (2009:9) warns against accepting definitions of social problems provided by those in power.  "The powerful can define social reality in a way that manipulates public opinion."

In the old south, slavery was not considered a problem, but slave revolts were.

In Salem, the persecution of witches was not a social problem, but witches were.

In the South prior to the Civil Rights era, Jim Crow laws were not a problem, but Rosa Parks was a problem when she wanted to sit down on a bus in Montgomery, ALA.