Identify at least three societal problems that have occurred because of our changing society and identify what change in society you believe has led to this problem.
Society is constantly going through transformations due to modernization and evolutions. Social change occurs because of the need to provide solutions to social problems faced by society. Inherently, these social changes are also accompanied by additional social problems. Economic progress is a primary agent of social change and a major contributor to social problems. Economic capabilities define the rich and the poor in society. As a result, the different social conditions spring forth the social problem of poverty and the inability to afford basic needs. Consequently, poverty leads to unemployment, crimes, drug addiction, fear, and insecurity. Another agent of social change is religious beliefs which bring about positive and negative changes in society. Religious wars and extremism are constantly experienced in society today. A good example is the terror groups created under the guise of religious beliefs, racism, and discrimination against different groups of people due to their sexual orientations.
There are several different theories of change. Identify one theory of change that you agree with the most and explain why you agree with that theory.
There are various theories of social change, but the conflict theory is the most prominent. Developed by Karl Marx, the theory argues that societal changes occur as the society competes for limited resources. Limited resources establish social classes in society, and these groups are in a constant battle. These groups are either racial, political, gender, economic classes, or ethnic groups who are pursuing conflicting interests within the society. The conflicts lead to social inequalities and injustices, and society undergoes inevitable and constant changes to remedy these injustices (Theophilus & Jack, 2017). The components of social conflict theory hold in modern society. There is a constant struggle against inequalities and injustices in society, which drives social change. Humanitarian and activist groups are fighting for gender equality, eradication of poverty, equality in the workplace, and racial discrimination, among other social injustices. Therefore, the conflict theory of social change mirrors modern societys changes agents, making the theory more prominent than other change theories.
References
Theophilus, A., & Jack, J. (2017). SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. In B. E.M, S. E.A, & E. N.S (Eds.), Major Themes in Sociology: An Introductory Text (1st ed., pp. 491526). Mase Perfect Prints.
As a Human Service Professional, you will encounter clients who have a multitude of problems and needs. As our society changes, it is our responsibility to stay aware of the changes and how those changes impact the services we provide. It is also our responsibility to know what services and programs are available in our own community. Please use the assigned readings and use the Library to research peer-reviewed studies to support your post.
Please respond to the following:
Locate a program in your community (Atlanta, GA) serving one of the societal problems you identified in the unit 9 discussion (See above Discussion post).
Identify the name of the program and provide a brief description of the program including the services the program provides.
How does the changes that have occurred in our society and the family unit impact the way in which we as Human Service Professional provide services?
Are there any special considerations we need to take into account when we are providing services to family (i.e., legal custody, extended family or non-biological individuals who are perceived as family)
Do Human Service Professionals need to be more knowledgeable of things like legal issues surrounding who can consent for treatment and the difference between consenting for treatment and ability to make educational decisions?