A social issue is defined as any condition that either directly or indirectly affects an individual or a group of people from a certain society or community (Project Legal, n.d.). we are exposed, almost always unconsciously, to multiples social issues in a day. For examples, daily newspapers and news reports are filled with social issues that may have taken place recently such as rape, murders, and violence (Project Legal, n.d.). Here, I will be listing 10 social issues. Some of them simply interest me, whereas some of them are issues I have found myself in before.
Source:http://www.motifake.com/conformity-conformity-demotivational-posters-94405.html
The first social issue is conformity. The word ‘conformity’ may be foreign to many people but actually takes place almost every day. Researches define conformity as a situation where one behaves in a certain way to fit in with a specific group of people (Faqs.org, 2011). This involves the individual adopting the values, attitudes, and even beliefs of the desired group (Faqs.org, 2011).
Eating disorder is the second social issue that will be introduced. It is known as a mental illness where an individual may go on extreme diets or overeat – both which can be fatal (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011). If eating disorders are left untreated, it can have a huge negative impact on the patient as this illness is also tired together with depression, and anxiety disorders etc (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011). One of the biggest misconceptions about eating disorders is that it only affects females. However, there have been many males who are also experiencing this illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011).
Internet pornography refers to any form of sexually explicit materials available for users on the Internet and certain forms of pornography are even considered illegal in many countries (InternetSafety101, 2010). Other known forms of pornography include child pornography which is illegal and violence pornography where either one or both of the actors in the film are hurt or abused (InternetSafety101, 2010).
Depression is actually more common that we think it is. It is a mental illness where an individual loses interest in life and his or her passion, suffers from bad mood swings, and also anxiety (Malaysian Psychiatric Association, 2006). These symptoms, eventually, will lead to even more significant conditions where the victim may suffer from insomnia, eating disorders, loneliness, self-harming, and suicide thoughts (Malaysian Psychiatric Association, 2006).
Media violence is defined as anything that is shown in the media –television shows, advertisements, cartoons, video games, and movies etc – which contains violent content murder, rape, and blood (Common Sense Media, 2010). This sort of content in the media can have a damaging effect on viewers and especially young kids as they may view violent behaviors as acceptable and normal (Common Sense Media, 2010).
The term ‘homosexuality’ simply refers to a person who is attracted to another person of the same gender (FamilyDoctors.org, 2010). There have been multiple researches on homosexuality which results in certain people believing it to be genetic and others believe it is a choice (FamilyDoctors.org, 2010). Those who are against homosexuality often believe the condition to be a disease, these people are known as ‘homophobics’ (FamilyDoctors.org, 2010). Although recently there have been more tolerance towards homosexuals in many countries, there are still a lot of room left for improvements and acceptance.
When a person finds himself constantly dependent on alcohol, he is an alcoholic. Most of the time, people suffering from alcoholism eventually find themselves losing control over their drinking intake (Medical Tips Blog, 2011). Alcoholics usually drink up to drown themselves in their misery; little do they know that they are actually damaging the systems in their body as too much alcohol will mess with the chemicals in the body (Medical Tips Blog, 2011).
Abusive relationships exist almost in every corner. Rihanna, who is a celebrity, is a great example that the issue does in fact happen to even famous people. A relationship as such is when a partner is threatening, controlling, and violent (Dr. Phil, 2009). All these characteristics can be emotional, verbal, and physical (Dr. Phil, 2009).
Racism is a feeling of prejudice towards a certain race that we believe to be inferior than ours (Global Issues, 2010). Often, racism can be so powerful that it goes head to head with human rights and leads to events such as war, conflicts, gang fights, and social exclusion (Global Issues, 2010). A great example of racism is the Holocaust that was directed by no other than Hitler, which ended up in the thousands of deaths of Jews because a certain race was favored (Mail Online, 2008).
Drug overdose is nothing new. It is when a person consumes more than the medically recommended dosage (WebMD, 2005). However, some people may even be taking in drugs that were not medically prescribed for them – they take them just to get high (WebMD, 2005). Drug overdoses can be accidental as well as intentional (WebMD, 2005). There have been many cases where celebrities have suffered from drug overdose for a long time. Most recently, Amy Winehouse has been the latest victim of a drug overdose situation (The Telegraph, 2011).
References:
Agnihotri, V 2011, All You Want To Know About Alcoholism, Medical Tips Blog, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://medtips.in/all-you-want-to-know-about-alcoholism/>.
Are You In An Emotionally Abusive Relationhip? 2009, Dr. Phil, viewed 11 August 2011, <http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/21>.
Conformity 2011, Faqs.org, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/2/Conformity.html>.
Depression 2006, Malaysia Psychiatric Association, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.psychiatry-malaysia.org/article.php?aid=56>.
Drug Overdose 2005, WebMD, viewed 12 August 2011, <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-overdose>.
Homosexuality: Facts for Teens 2010, Family Doctor.org, viewed 11 August 2011, <http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/teens/sexuality/739.html>.
Impact of Media Violence Tips 2010, Common Sense Media, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/impact-media-violence-tips>.
Nikkah, R 2011, ‘Amy Winehouse dies aged 27 of a suspected drug overdose’, The Telegraph 23 July, viewed 11 August 2011, <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8657225/Amy-Winehouse-dies-aged-27-of-a-suspected-drug-overdose.html>.
Shah, A 2010, Racism, Global Issues, viewed 11 August 2011, <http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism>.
What are eating disorders? 2011, National Institute of Mental Health 2011, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml>.
What is a social problem? N.d., Project Legal, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/sp.html>.
What is Pornography? 2010, Internet Safety 101, viewed 10 August 2011, <http://www.internetsafety101.org/whatispornography.htm>.
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