Argumentative Essay about Social Issues

“Social issue is a generic term applied to a range of conditions and aberrant behaviours which are manifestations of social disorganization. It is a condition which most people in a society consider undesirable and want to correct by changing through some means of social engineering or social planning” (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, 1994). Social issues are often the consequence of factors extending beyond an individual's control, and is the source of a conflicting opinion on the grounds of what is perceived as a morally just personal life or societal order. In this essay we will explore various types of social issues, their causes and effects and make recommendations to curb or provide a resolution.

One of the main social issues in today's world is child abuse. Mostly recently the cry for protection of the children in Dominica has been widespread on social media, but what is the cause of such a problem. This type of abuse can take several forms; e.g physical, psychological, sexual and neglect. Child Abuse can occur at the hands of close relatives, caregivers and sometime parents and poses significant detrimental effect on the child’s psyche. Children zero to five years old are the most at risk for child abuse. But, what causes someone to abuse a child? It maybe a lack of the adequate parenting skills. Very often we have individuals who are unprepared becoming parents and the stress from the change in what is concerned their norm causes them to lash out at the child. Child abuse is also prevalent in homes with a history of domestic violence, children who witness abuse of a parent are prone to being the next victim of violence. Child abuse negatively affects the child who has to bear the long-term scars throughout their entire life. Abuse can play a huge role in the ways a child manages relationship during the later stages in life. Children are unable to function normally at school, college or work when they grow up: One of the main ways to curb child abuse is to recognise the signs earlier and report cases to the relevant authorities.

Another major social issue is that of drug abuse and alcoholism. The root cause of this issue is unknown however, there are several factors which may contribute to the existence of this problem such as, stress and the inability to deal with it, depression, peer pressure among others. People of any sex, age, race, or economic status can experience drug addiction.This issue isn’t always instantly noticed; very often it starts off relatively small. It can begin with simple curiosity or a one time experiment that progresses into addiction. Consuming excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol has long lasting diverse effects on the human body. Some of the short term effects include short term memory loss, and lowered inhibitions; Long term effects include problems coping on the job, at school, permanent damage to internal organs and may cause deterioration in relationship with friends and family. Whilst there is no quick solution to drug abuse and alcoholism, there are ways to mitigate the problem and in some cases prevent the problem from ever happening. Support from family and friends can be of extreme importance in delaying the onset of permanent and long term drug abuse. In Dominica, the need exists for a rehab facility or recovery program that can assist drug and alcohol abusers to regain control of their life.

Another major social issue would be unemployment, and there is no easy or quick fix to this issue. One of the main reasons for unemployment is the current state of the economy. Because of a downfall in the economy over time, trade have been affected, and businesses have been forced to decrease the production of their goods, and in extreme causes cut cuts by laying of employees. Other factors that contribute to unemployment include; unavailability of jobs, performance issues, lack of the appropriate skill set. The consequences of unemployment can be vast, they range from those directly affecting the individual and the family to those that have an impact on the economy as a whole. When someone loses a job it can negatively impact the psyche and may lead to further social issues such drug abuse and alcoholism, violence and sometimes criminal acts such as robbery and theft, which leads to a strain on the relationship with family and friends. Often times, the government is tasked with the responsibility of providing for unemployed citizens through the public assistance programs. As stated earlier there is no quick fix however, the introduction of a National Employment Program (NEP) is a step in the right direction. Individuals should also be encouraged to find a niche and establish themselves as entrepreneurs rather than being dependent on the government or the private sector to provide jobs. Diversifying one's skill set also makes you more attractive to an employer.

There are several issues that affect our society today, and the solution to these issues sometimes are found within the issues themselves. It is clear that the social issues discussed in this essay are barriers to development and progress in any society. 

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