Gun Control as a Social Problem
The Sociological Perspective:
Gun Control as a Social Problem
Michael A. Judge
3064051
SOCI212 – Social Problems
Professor Gardner
The sociological approach to addressing social problem provides a different perspective of those social problems than other disciplines. Sociology demands a look at the self created structures of a society that result in the creation of social problems (Gurrero, 2011). This perspective allows sociologists to examine the relationships between the macro view of society and the micro view of society (Gurrero, 2011). The study of the individuals and institutions that compose a society through objective and systematic analysis allow for sociologists to understand the root causes of social problems (Gurrero, 2011). Individuals may not relate their problems to problems that the entire society has, likewise the solutions to individual problems are not necessarily the best solution to social problems. For instance if a young family does not earn enough money to support their family, they must ask for help. The individual problem in this case is the same as a social problem. The individual’s solutions to this problem may be to ask family for money or assistance. Society as a whole is responsible for taking care of its member’s welfare, thusly; government creates institutions in order to deal with the social problem of welfare. While social problems have both subjective and objective realities, the significance of a social problem is dependent upon its subjective reality (Gurrero, 2011). Objective realities are the hard and fast numbers associated with a social problem; these are the confirmed statistical data points that are not subjected to individual perspective (Gurrerro, 2011). The subjective reality of a social problem is what brings the social problem to the entirety of society and determines its significance. While the numbers of crimes committed with guns was stable from 1998 to 2006, the last year data was
Gun Control as a Social Problem
Michael A. Judge
3064051
SOCI212 – Social Problems
Professor Gardner
The sociological approach to addressing social problem provides a different perspective of those social problems than other disciplines. Sociology demands a look at the self created structures of a society that result in the creation of social problems (Gurrero, 2011). This perspective allows sociologists to examine the relationships between the macro view of society and the micro view of society (Gurrero, 2011). The study of the individuals and institutions that compose a society through objective and systematic analysis allow for sociologists to understand the root causes of social problems (Gurrero, 2011). Individuals may not relate their problems to problems that the entire society has, likewise the solutions to individual problems are not necessarily the best solution to social problems. For instance if a young family does not earn enough money to support their family, they must ask for help. The individual problem in this case is the same as a social problem. The individual’s solutions to this problem may be to ask family for money or assistance. Society as a whole is responsible for taking care of its member’s welfare, thusly; government creates institutions in order to deal with the social problem of welfare. While social problems have both subjective and objective realities, the significance of a social problem is dependent upon its subjective reality (Gurrero, 2011). Objective realities are the hard and fast numbers associated with a social problem; these are the confirmed statistical data points that are not subjected to individual perspective (Gurrerro, 2011). The subjective reality of a social problem is what brings the social problem to the entirety of society and determines its significance. While the numbers of crimes committed with guns was stable from 1998 to 2006, the last year data was
References: Ariosto, D. (2013) N.Y. governor signs nation 's first gun-control bill since Newtown. CNN.com. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/us/new-york-gun-bill/index.html. Accessed on January 18, 2013. Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2006). Key Facts At A Glance. United States Department of Justice. Retrieved from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/glance/guncrime.cfm. Accessed on January 16, 2013. Crone, J. A. (2011) How can we solve our social problems? (2nd ed.) Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Leon-Guerrero, A. (2011). Social problems: Community, policy, and social action (3rd ed.) Los Angeles, CA: Sage. National Committee on Pay Equity. (2012) Wage Gap Statistically Unchanged and Still Stagnant. Retrieved from http://www.pay-equity.org/. Accessed on January 18, 2013. Pearson, M. (2012). Gunman turns 'Batman ' screening into real-life 'horror film ' CNN.com. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html. Accessed on January 18, 2013. Steinhauer, J. (2013) Democrats Are Split Over How to Shape Approach to Gun Bills. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/us/politics/democrats-in-congress-split-over-approach-to-gun-laws.html?_r=0. Accessed on January 19, 2013 Stoller, G.; Strauss, G.; & Stanglin, D. (2012) Gunman kills mom, 26 others in school shooting spree. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/14/school-shooting-connecticut/1769367/. Accessed on January 17, 2013.