Relationship between Social Policy and Social Problems - Essay Example

SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS STUDENT NAME PROFESSOR’S NAME COURSE TITLE DATE Introduction Social policy has its origins in welfare, traced back to the fourteenth century referring to the well-being of a person, mental and physical health, the satisfaction of a person’s desire and meeting the needs of people within the society. In many instances, one can reasonably assert that social policies arose out of the need to solve most of the social problems. Social policy is associated with different terms coined by scholars and include; social services, social security, social welfare, social administration amongst other terms (Titmuss, 1974). This paper will focus on social policy and social problems, the relationship existing between the two concepts, critique of the concepts and the possible recommendations suitable in this case. Social Policy and Social Problems . In defining social policy, one needs to consider the two terms separately, that is a policy refers to “the principles that governs the actions to achieve a certain goal or end” (Titmuss, 1974). A policy needs to list the possible guidelines that administrators use to justify an action. In regards to the definition of social, then one can define it as intrinsic and extrinsic issues that affects an individual such as health, poverty, old-age, deprived children, needs that are necessary for the survival of a person. Social policy thus relates to directives that relates to dealing with the concerns of others in society. In general terms, social policy can be defined as “the mainspring of social policy is ensuring that the desires of each and every member of the society are met by giving them certain opportunities and based on minimum standards (Hagnebuch, 1958). The society in which people live in is filled with different types of problems depending on their nature: economic, social, environmental amongst other types of problems. Social problems are those that constantly face individual living within the society. For instance, the social policies created attempt to tackle problems such as poverty, health, destitute children, food, shelter and clothing. In any case, for there to exist a social policy, then there needs to be an identified social problem dealing directly with the welfare of citizens in a way that they can access income and other services (Marshall, 1965). Social problems may be linked to insurance, housing, health, public assistance, social insurance amongst other societal needs. According to Bacchi (1999), he states that the society is faced with two forms of problems, private and public. Public problems and private problems both give rise to creation of social policies to address them as a society or as a state (welfare). P2 - AROUND 300 WDS Relationship between Social Policy and Social Problems The place of social policy in society depends literally depends on the interpretation of what is the social problem existing in the society. Social policy if viewed in an Australian perspective implies that the social conditions form part of the welfare of the state, that is it shows the state areas that require focus (Jamrozik, 2009). Under certain circumstances, one can claim that social policy mainly deals with the problems in the society. In consideration of what a social policy is, one needs to know that by nature it needs to be purposeful, an intentional activity and it needs to be of an authoritative choice (Sullivan , 1998). In many cases it does not need to solve a particular problem in society, but to create a common ground for which people act. For instance the introduction on no-fault divorce in the 1970 was not to solve a problem, but as a purposeful lawful undertaking in respect to changing societal views about marriage, family and separation. In this case social policy was necessary to change with the society. Social policy may have political, legal, environmental and economic aspects, all having an impact on society but in different ways. It is reasonable to declare that social policy is not only aimed at addressing only societal problems, but also the general welfare and the well-being of the society in health, education, employment and income. In the definition of Erskine (1998) social policy concerns itself with public policies, personal consumption, market operations and the interpersonal relationships that detracts or contributes to the well-being or welfare of an individual or a group of people (Erskine, 1998). Social Policy and Observable social problems The main reason why the society needs a social policy is to ensure that the people’s welfare is improved (McClelland, 2010). If a social policy is created that does not aim to solve any problem, then it would be an exercise in futility. A social problem needs to be part of the aim of a social policy. A good social policy must be able to meet the particular needs of the society, shares the values of the people, belief, which is what would work within their society. Ideally, social policy can address the social problems if it changes with societal views, for instance family, parents and children rights, free health care and also reflecting the economic standing of the society. A social policy must have a problem dimension in its creation and adoption. The observation of societal problem can be observed through living within the community and taking note of what are the social problems affecting them. In many cases, different societal problems affect people depending on age, education, income, amongst other factors causing societal problems. One observable social problem is the rate of unemployment amongst both the young and the old in society. Unemployment causes other societal problems that include poverty, health and sanitation issues, since without work, there is no income for an individual to meet and cater for his needs. An unemployed person is not self-reliant, will require need to find an opportunity to work in order to meet his own individual need, and demands. In such a case, other social problems may arise such as high crime rates, broken families, and alcoholism and drug abuse amongst other vices (Bessant, 2006). If a social policy is not created to address the unemployment within the society, then social problems associated with it will plummet, that is alcoholism, drug abuse and crime will increase. Critique and Recommendations According to McClelland (2010 ) he asserts that a social policy clearly shows what one intends to do regarding a particular problem within the society, and that the outcomes of the social policy has to impact on the society in one way or another. However, in many instance, social policies are regarded as only formal statements or guidelines that if the society or state fails to implement then it will remain a statement, guideline or an agreement. A social policy is worthless if there is no implementation mechanism, in turning it into reality. The relevance of a social policy is important. It must target to solve a particular issue in the society rather than being a mockery. For instance one cannot create a drug and alcohol policy without knowing what causes the social problems in society, why people choose drugs and crimes and finding a remedy. The state as a policy implementer has transformed its image from a welfare state to a liberal state and then to a capitalist state, but it should not disregard social policies as part of meeting the needs of its people. A good social policy must clearly target a particular section of the society in helping them deal with certain social problems. A social policy needs to embrace the values and beliefs of the society as opposed to arbitrarily introducing a policy into the society that is contrary to the values of the society. The need for creating a sustainable policy is to be based on the following factors: that the society must change polices that pose harm to the society, captures articulately the values and beliefs of the society and responds to the changing needs of the society. Conclusion In conclusion, social policies are an important aspect in dealing with social problems and any other problem that faces the society. Administrators and the state need to have an adequate directive in addressing social issues such as children welfare, poverty, health, sanitation and provision of social security to the people. In most cases, social policy concerns itself with meeting the needs of people in the society and that it impacts is a change in the society itself. In any case, social policy concerns itself with both the economic and non-economic aspects in society and that the problems can either be public or private. In any social policy chosen, it must result in change of the society and this means that the chosen response needs to correspond to the needs of the society. It is important that social policies adapt to the changing beliefs, values and needs of the society and that it must aim at changing particular social problems within the society. References Bacchi, C.L. (1999). Women, Policy and Politics: The Construction of Policy Problems. London: Sage Publications. Bessant, J (2006) Theorising Social Policy. In Bessant, J., Watts, R., Dalton, T. & Smyth, P. Talking Policy : How Social Policy is Made. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin Erskine, A. (1998). The Approaches and Methods of Social Policy. In Alcock, P., Erskine, A. & May, M. (eds). The Student’s Companion to Social Policy pp.14-20, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Hagenbuch, W. (1958). Social Economics, Nisbet: Welwyn, p.205 Jamrozik, A. (2009). Social Policy in the Post-Welfare State: Social Policy in a ‘Free-Market’ Economy, 3rd ed, Sydney: Pearson Education Marshall, T.H. (1965). Social Policy. London: Hutchinson, p. 7 McClelland, A. (2010) What is Social Policy. In McClelland, A. & Smyth, P. Social Policy in Australia: Understanding for action, Sydney: Oxford University Press Titmuss, R.M. (1974). What is social policy ? In Abel-smith, B. & Titmuss, K. (eds.) Social Policy, pp. 23-33. London: George Allen and Unwin Sullivan, M. (1998). The Social Democratic Perspective. In Alcock, P., Erskine, A. & May, M. (eds). The Student’s companion to Social Policy (pp.71-78). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Read More