Essay On Social Problem

A social problem is an issue that affects the livelihood of a group of people or some portion of society that can be alleviated through communal change (Zastrow, 2000). Most sociologists agree that a social problem differs from a personal problem on the basis of many criteria. Stephen Steele notes that a problem is deemed societal as opposed to personal, when it is considered as social in nature, it affects a large number of people, and has the capacity to be fixed (Steele, 2011).
In order to examine a social problem, one must consider the ideologies and values driving both the problem as well as the desire for change (Chambers, 2013). Many social problems stem from a lapse of forethought of the repercussions of such values. Many Americans value having countless material things, and paying the absolute bottom dollar for them. This is typically done without concern for the ramifications such as outsourcing jobs to cheaper manufacturers, or the destruction of local business. This relates to the macro sociology theory of conflict, the struggle over limited resources. Big companies are driving out neighborhood grocery stores through unfair pricing techniques and local businesses simply cannot compete. The forced closure of many local shops in turn leads to the presence of one or two big box stores per community. The problem is that many low-income families, especially those living in suburban or rural areas, may lack transportation to such corporate grocers. These families may have to take public transportation, a cab, or catch a ride with a friend. Since there is uncertainty about how frequently they may be able to get back to the store, they are forced to buy in bulk, leading to the purchase of more processed foods and less fresh me...

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...profit organizations help to create access to nutritious foods through the creation of affordable grocery stores, farmers markets, and community gardens (Urban Farming, 2014). These grants offer assistance to sustain non-profit organizations such as Urban Farming, to provide community gardens, education, and job training, improving the health and economy of many low-income neighborhoods across the United States. The poor in this country lack a political voice to express their need for healthy, affordable food access. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative works to create opportunities for influential groups working towards making changes so that all people have an equal opportunity for health and well-being. With the appropriate funding, low-income communities are given access to nutritious foods through affordable grocery stores, cooperative farms, and greenhouses.