a. Sociology is the study of the social relationships that affect the humans as well as institutions. It involves many fields of study that include crime, religion, family, race, culture and society among others. It is the primary purpose of sociology to provide linkage to all of these different subjects to help in understanding how humans behave (Smith, 2016). b. Sociological enquiry is the careful analysis of the motivational factors as well as the behavior of a certain individual within a particular group of people.
What makes some acts and some people deviant or criminal? Theorists attempted to shift the focus of criminology and answer the questions above. Shifting towards the effects of individuals in power responding to behavior in society in a negative way. These theorists became known as “labeling theorists”. The theorists argue that policies are implemented to address social conditions, and in turn, are collectively defined by society.
Sociology takes a different approach for issues and problems and stresses that the problems that are concerned with the individual often stemmed from the society itself. Sociology is concerned with the public issues that lies and is fuelled from the social structure and culture and that ultimately become the social problem (Davis, 2008). Research and Methodologies in Sociology In order to gather empirical evidence there are several methods that sociologists utilise which includes interviews, statistical research, participation observation and questionnaires. There are six widely used research methods that are undertaken by the sociologists are discussed below. Case study research is the research method in which the researcher investigates small group or individuals or individual with the rare situation or condition.
CYW 129- Understanding Society In the following discourse multiple theories and perspectives within sociology will be outlined. How each perspective looks at society will be explored while providing explanations of theories within each perspective. The importance of social theory within community and youth work and how applies to practice will be explained using a case study. Before looking at social theory it is important to firstly look at sociology. Sociology is the study of people and their behaviours, values, and power within society.
20 years later, violent crime was down to 1.2 million. For example, crime rates in Florida has been dropping steadily for the past six years (Saunders). Ted Chiricos, an FSU criminology professor said, “statewide surveys of residents showed higher fear levels in 1997 than in the previous year. That came despite that declining crime rate and stiffer laws.” In Ipswich, Australia, the same fear of crime is occurring. According to The Queensland times, “Over the 10-year period from 2006/07 to 2015/16, Ipswich District also recorded a decrease in the rate of offences against the person and offences against property.” While crime statistics are decreasing, more people are fearing attacks against them and their
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Fertility is one of the major components of population growth. The past few decades have witnessed a major decline in world fertility majorly from developed countries, making global and even regional aggregates have widespread diversity in fertility change. In Asia and Latin America fertility declines over the past half century have been very permeating. Between the early 1950s and the early 2000s, the total fertility rate (TFR) dropped from 5.7 to 2.4 births per woman in Asia and from 5.9 to 2.3 births per woman in Latin America. In these regions just a few nations still have fertility rates higher than four births per woman (Bongaarts, 2011).
Harvard researchers found a “40% increased risk of death among the uninsured” (“Right to Health Care”). Low-income families will refuse treatment because of their inability to cover all of the medical cost. In many cases, the fear of debt outweighs the consequence of death. The people that are most at risk of death are adults. The government has “programs that target children” and the elderly, such as Medicare, which is a disadvantage for low-income adults (Balkin).
According to Food and Nutrition Security Policy for St. Lucia (2013) in 2012 approximately 20.6% of the population can be regarded as living below the poverty level. The policy goes on to indicate that high unemployment and high food prices have resulted in several households being unable to earn incomes and obtain foods to meet their nutritional requirements resulting in that 16% are indigent (FNSP, 2013). Increasing levels of poverty are often linked to increasing levels of ill health (NSHP, 2006-2011). Studies have shown that the underprivileged often put off health needs for more pressing needs like food and shelter (NSHP, 2006-2011). Poverty directly influences health and well-being.
Sociology is defined as the study of humans, societies and social groups within societies. It is also said to be the ‘science of society’. The subject of sociology tries to help us to understand why we act in certain ways and that what may come across as inevitable may perhaps be shaped and moulded by historical events and processes. It is important as it helps us gain knowledge of the world in which we live and why certain things happen within this world. Patterns may also develop from the study of sociology.
Social problems are a wide spread phenomenon that exist in every society all over the world, whether they are the same or diverse, whether they are being tackled or not, they are still active. A social problem is a social condition or pattern of behaviour that has negative consequences for individuals, our social world, or our physical world (Leon-Guerrero, 2016). Social problems can be understood by a social constructionism approach, which explores the assumptions embedded in the labelling of people and emphasises the importance of social expectations in the analysis of taken-for-granted or apparently natural social processs ' (Clarke, 2001a, p 266). Social constructionism deploys norms, language, discourse and power as key concepts and analytical tools in the understanding of social problems and policy responses. If only a few people experience an issue, then it is likely to remain a private matter and not attract public concern.