social welfare

Question 1

Social problem definition

Answer 1

a condition or issue that affects the well-being of a society and requires collective to address

Question 2

examples of Social problems

Answer 2

o Poverty
o Inequality
o Crime
o Substance abuse
o Environmental issues
- Importance of it
o Understanding the root causes
o Implications
o Solutions for societal challenges

Question 3

Social structures

Answer 3

the organized patterns of relationships and institutions that make up a society

Question 4

• Elements

Answer 4

o Institutions (family, education, government)
o Social roles
o Norms
o Social hierarchies

Question 5

• Culture

Answer 5

o The shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices that shape the behavior and attitudes of a society

Question 6

• Interconnection between social structure, culture, and social problems

Answer 6

o How social structure and cultural norms contribute to the emergence and persistence of social issues.

Question 7

Sociological Imagination

Answer 7

ability to see the connection between individual experiences and larger societal forces

Question 8

Theoretical Perspectives:

Answer 8

1) Functionalism: society is a complex system with interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability
2)Conflict Theory: emphasizes power struggles and inequalities as driving forces behind social problems
3) Symbolic Interactionism: focuses on how individuals interact and attach meanings to symbols, shaping their behavior
- applications to understand social problems
-how each perspective offers a different lens to analyze and address issues

Question 9

Social problems often lead to individual and collective suffering

Answer 9

o Studying social problems within the context of social welfare helps in
 Identifying vulnerable populations in need of support
 Designing effective policies and interventions
 Advocating for systemic change to address root causes

Question 10

Mental Illness

Answer 10

• Refers to wide range of conditions affecting an individuals thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall mental well-being
  o 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year
• Significantly affects an individual’s quality of life and functioning
• It strains social welfare systems due to the need for mental health support and treatments

Question 11

Sociological theories

Answer 11

• Structural functionalism: health institutions (hospitals, clinics) maintain societal stability by caring for the sick
• Conflict theory: unequal access to healthcare resources perpetuates social inequalities
• Symbolic interactionism: the meaning of health is socially constructed through interactions and labelling

Question 12

Social factors are

Answer 12

conditions in a person’s environment that influence their health and well-being

Question 13

• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH):

Answer 13

Factors like income, education, employment, and social support

o Real-world examples
 Income: lower-income individuals may struggle to afford nutritious food, leading to diet-related health issues
 Education:Lack of education limits health literacy, leading to misunderstandings of medical information
 Housing: poor living conditions can contribute to respiratory illness

Question 14

• Lifestyle behaviors

Answer 14

individual choices that impact health outcomes, including diet, exercise, substance use, and more
- Unhealthy diet: high consumption of processed foods leading to obesity and related conditions
- Lack of exercise: sedentary lifestyle contributing to heart disease and diabetes
- Substance Abuse: Alcohol or drug abuse leading to addiction and mental health problems

Question 15

Drug Use and Abuse

Answer 15

• A drug is a substance that alters the body’s function or structure when consumed. Drug use involves the consumption of substances, either legal or illegal, to achieve specific effects. Drug abuse refers to excessive, harmful, or addictive consumption of these substances.

Question 16

Sociological Theories of Drug Use and Abuse

Answer 16

• Structural-Functional Theory: Emphasize how drug use fulfils functions

Question 17

Frequently used legal drugs

Answer 17

• Alcohol: commonly used, can lead to addiction and health problems
• Prescription Medication: medicine such as opioids, when misused, lead to addiction and overdose

Question 18

Frequently used Illegal drugs

Answer 18

• Cocaine: a powerful stimulant with addictive properties, associated with health risks and crime.
• Heroin(The white horse): a highly addictive opioid causing physical and social harm. Analgesic that is a painkiller and is one of a class of drugs know as opiates.
• Synthetic drugs are chemically engineered substances designed to mimic the efforts of natural drugs like marijunna, cocaine, or opioids. These substances are often created in clandestine laboratories, and teir chemical structures can be altered t

Question 19

Economic Inequality, Wealth, and Poverty

Answer 19

Economic inequality- unequal distribution of income and and assets among individuals and group within a society
Wealth- represents the accumulated assets ( savings, property, investments) possessed by an individual or group
Poverty- a state of deprivation where individuals or households lack the resources to satisfy their basic needs, including food, shelter, and clothing (absolute poverty)
Economic inequality is the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society. It is a concern in almost all countries around the world and often people are trapped in poverty with little chance to climb up the social ladder.