Eitzen et al. (2009:12) cites Maslow when describing the basic needs of human beings.  They are the need for shelter, sustenance, security, group support, esteem, respect, and self-actualization (the need for creative and constructive involvement in productive, significant activity).

When these needs are not met, individuals will be hostile toward society and its norms.  The frustration will be expressed in "withdrawal, alcohol and other drugs, or the violence of crime, terrorism, or aggression" (Eitzen et al. 2009:12).

As people withdraw from the system that fails to meet their needs, they will be defined by that society as "bad people, but this is so because they live in bad societies” (Eitzen et al. 2009:12).

Institutionalised Deviance

Often, when one attempts to understand deviance, they will look at characteristics of the individual to explain deviance.  Eitzen et al. (2009:12) suggests that t he source of deviance is found within the social structure .  Society plays a role in creating and sustaining deviance by labeling those viewed as abnormal.

Institutional deviance is a term Eitzen (2009:12) uses to describe a situation when the institutions of society serves a selected few people who are generally powerful.

Institutional deviance exists when society and its formal organizations are not meeting the needs of individuals.

 

Causes of Social Problems

The causes of social problems may be three-fold but cannot be treated in isolation :

1. Individual
2. Cultural
3. Structural

The social evils that are plaguing our society today could hardly be catalogued. They are very uncountable in the true sense of the assertion. Prominent among them are: juvenile delinquency ; child abuse ; escalating crime waves such as armed robbery; arson; fraud; drug peddling; currency trafficking ; bribery and corruption; embezzlement of public funds; student and youth unrest; cultural violence ; religious intolerance; boundary disputes; stack dishonesty; election rigging; coups and counter coups; lack of commitment to duty; examination malpractices; filthy and gross indiscipline; result racketeering; disrespect for other species; gross economic inequality; poverty; disease and hunger; widespread illiteracy; lack of gainful employment opportunities; open injustice; ostentatious spending; abuse of authority; hoarding of essential commodities; cheating and exploitation of the masses; discrimination and ethnic jingoism; inordinate ambition; cultism; lack of realisation of human potential; narrow education resulting in ill-informed citizens; civil wars; famine; drought and unchecked desertification; human trafficking and child labour.