Analyzing Social Problems and Social Policy
Walden University
SOCW 6351: Social Policy, Welfare, and Change
14:03:28 GMT -05:00
, Social justice and social change issues are integral parts of what social workers use their
roles as professionals to help clients make progress on the micro and macro levels (Alvarez,
2010). Social problems create a snowball effect and can lead to the degradation of society when
policies aren’t put in place to intervene. There are several social problems in this country that
need attention such as: homelessness, police brutality, poverty, limited access to healthcare, food
shortages, unemployment, women’s autonomy rights, affordable housing, human trafficking,
immigration, funding for public schools, and child welfare/abuse just to name a few. These not
only affect individuals but communities and society as a whole if left unbothered. This paper will
discuss poverty within the working class as the social problem. It will include a description of
the problem, explore the prevalence of poverty and the wealth gap in the middle class in society,
as well as the population(s) impacted. Lastly, it will reveal supporting theories that policy
analysts use to address the problem.
The Social Problem and its Prevalence
Poverty means more than just a lack of money. There is social, environmental, health,
educational, and economic poverty. "Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is
being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not
knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.
Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness,
lack of representation and freedom" (World Bank, 2020). Poverty is a socio-economic issue that
is complex and brought on by several factors such as unemployment, lack of aide, debt, being
uninsured, marginalization, social constructs and more.
Oftentimes people mistake poverty as only meaning homelessness or some relate it to
those commercials of starving kids from third world countries, etc. However, poverty also looks
14:03:28 GMT -05:00
Walden University
SOCW 6351: Social Policy, Welfare, and Change
14:03:28 GMT -05:00
, Social justice and social change issues are integral parts of what social workers use their
roles as professionals to help clients make progress on the micro and macro levels (Alvarez,
2010). Social problems create a snowball effect and can lead to the degradation of society when
policies aren’t put in place to intervene. There are several social problems in this country that
need attention such as: homelessness, police brutality, poverty, limited access to healthcare, food
shortages, unemployment, women’s autonomy rights, affordable housing, human trafficking,
immigration, funding for public schools, and child welfare/abuse just to name a few. These not
only affect individuals but communities and society as a whole if left unbothered. This paper will
discuss poverty within the working class as the social problem. It will include a description of
the problem, explore the prevalence of poverty and the wealth gap in the middle class in society,
as well as the population(s) impacted. Lastly, it will reveal supporting theories that policy
analysts use to address the problem.
The Social Problem and its Prevalence
Poverty means more than just a lack of money. There is social, environmental, health,
educational, and economic poverty. "Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is
being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not
knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.
Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness,
lack of representation and freedom" (World Bank, 2020). Poverty is a socio-economic issue that
is complex and brought on by several factors such as unemployment, lack of aide, debt, being
uninsured, marginalization, social constructs and more.
Oftentimes people mistake poverty as only meaning homelessness or some relate it to
those commercials of starving kids from third world countries, etc. However, poverty also looks
14:03:28 GMT -05:00
