SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Social problemsDefinition: A social problem is any deviant

behaviour in a disapproved direction of such a degree that it exceeds the tolerance limit of the community

Social problem: Criteria

Types of Social

problems

EconomicPoverty

UnemploymentDependency

BiologicalDiseases

Disabilities

Psychological

Neurosis PsychosisSuicide

AlcoholismEpilepsy

Cultural Problems of Aged

Homelessness

Crime Juvenile

delinquency

POVERTYPoverty – The insufficient supply of those

things which are requisite for an individual to maintain himself and those dependent upon him in health &vigour(Goddard JG)

Man is rich or poor according to the degree in which he can afford to enjoy the necessaries, the conveniences & amusements of life

-Adam Smith

Types & CausesTypes-Urban & RuralRural poverty- high population growth, unequal

distribution of wealth, large families, caste system

Urban poverty-improper training, slow job growthOther causes- illiteracy, epidemics, laziness,

physical health problemsBy Gillin- incapacity of individual, unfavorable

physical conditions, unequal distribution of wealth & income

By Marx-Exploitation of workers by capitalistsBy Henry George- personal ownership, monopoly

of the individual

Steps to control povertySteps taken by Government:For Rural:1. Small farmers development programme2. Drought area development programme3. Minimum needs programme4. National Rural employment programme5. Assurance on employmentFor Urban:6. Nehru Rozgar Yojna7. Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna8. Urban Basic Services For The Poor Programme9. National Social Assistance ProgrammeEmphasis should be on educating the people related to causes

of poverty, how to improvise and eradicate habits which hinder growth

Housing Building where people livePhysical structure which provides protection

against storm, lightning, snowfall, rain, etcHousing standards vary by area, country, due

to factors such as culture, traditions, & climate

Other factors- income of family, size of family, living standards & education of individual and family

Family health survey (2001)carried out by Indian Government found that only 19% of rural live in pucca houses , remaining live in semi-pucca, kacha house with mud walls & thatched roofs

Interventions under National Housing policyPromoting savings & investments in housingCreating an environment conducive to

investment in housing for rental purposeMaking available standardised building

materials and component at reasonable pricesImproving & upgrading construction skills

LITERACY Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress

India’s effective literacy rate has recorded a 9.2 per cent rise to reach 74.04 per cent in 2011

Literacy rate improved among females as compared to males. Males is 82.14 %(rise of 6.9%), females is 65.46%, (rise of11.8 %)

Kerala is the most literate state in India, with 93.9% literacy, followed closely by Lakshadweep at 92.28%.

Bihar is the least literate state in India with 63.82% literacy, followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 66.95.

Haryana has the lowest female literacy rate in India.

Illiteracy Illiteracy means the inability to read and

write Leads to the problem of child labour, female

foeticide, & growth of populationIgnorance –person loses opportunity to know

about the various schemes of governmentCauses – poverty, unemployment, lack of

awareness about means of education

Measures to eradicate illiteracyUniversity Education Commission-1948-49- use of mother tongue as

the medium of instructionEducation policy-1968-uniform pattern: 10+2+3 education all over

the country1991- Professor Dave’s Education Commission- minimum level of

learning(MLL) to improve primary educationNational education policy-1992 –Op Blackboard to provide basic

facilities in schoolsNational education policy-1986- compulsory primary education to

reduce dropoutsNational literacy mission-importance to adult educationSSA-2003 elementary education by community ownership of schools1990- UNO – International Literacy year, 8th Sep world literacy day

Prostitution Serious problem in IndiaCauses – poverty, unemployment, lack of

proper reintegration services, lack of options, stigma & adverse social attitudes, family expectations & pressure, acclimation to lifestyle

Due to necessity-after breakup of marriage, being disowned or thrown out of homes by their families

Elimination of prostitutionChanging social set-up- which would respect

women’s identity as human beingEducation Economic independenceLaws dealing with status of sex workers-

“The Immoral Traffic (Suppression) Act-1956 –SITA- law forbids a sex worker to carry on her profession

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act-PITA

Rights of Women & ChildrenIntroduction Both are linked to each otherGovernment is committed to children’s and

women’s rights according to constitutionSituation of India’s women and children-

marked by persistent disparities, two centuries of colonialisation, centuries of rigid caste system

Rights of children Declaration of Geneva-given by League of Nations-19241. Child must be given means needed for its normal

development, both materially & spiritually2. Hungry child should be fed, sick child should be helped,

erring child should be reclaimed(win back from vice), orphans & homeless child should be sheltered

3. Child must be first to receive relief in times of distress4. Child must be put in a position to earn a livelihood &

must be protected against every form of exploitation5. Child must be brought up in the consciousness that its

best qualities are to be used in the service of its fellowmen

Constitutional provisions-January 1950Fundamental rights1. Article 21 A-shall provide free & compulsory education to all the children

aged 6-14 years2. Article 23- Human trafficking and forced labour prohibited3. Article 24- No child below 14 years shall be employed to

work in any factory or mine, hazardous employmentDirective principles of state policy4. Article 39- tender age of children not abused & not forced

by economic necessity, protected against exploitation 5. Article 45-provides early childhood care & education for all

children till six years6. Article 47- raising level of nutrition and standard of living

of its people & improvement of public health7. Article 51 A- parent/guardian to provide opportunities for

education to his child/ward between 6-14 years

UN Declaration of the rights of children –

1. Non discrimination among the children2. Special protection, opportunities & Facilities to develop

physically, Mentally, Morally, Spiritually in a healthy & Normal manner & in conditions of freedom and dignity

3. The rights to a name & a Nationality4. The rights to social security, adequate nutrition, housing &

medical facilities5. Disabled child to be given special treatment, education & care6. The need for love & understanding so that the child grows in

the care & responsibility of his parents in a atmosphere of affection & moral & material security

7. Entitlement to education which should be free & compulsory8. Be the first to receive protection & relief in all circumstances9. Protection against all forms of neglect cruelty & exploitation10. Protection from Practices that may foster racial religious &

other forms of discrimination

Govt. Health ProgramsFirst Five year Plan ( 1951 – 1956 )Health, nutrition, & education were considered

special areas of concernSecond Five year Plan-1956-61In 1956-SITA, schemes & programmes for

destitutes and delinquents under the Childrens act 1960.

Third Five Year plan 1961 to 1966- increased emphasis on intersectoral co-ordination of services for children

Fourth five year plan- 1964-74- focussed on development of a package of basic minimum services for children

1974- National policy for children adopted, Mother & Child health programme.

1970-71 special Nutrition programme, Balwadi nutrition Programme, vitamin A prophylaxis

Fifth Five year Plan –(1974 to 1979)- integration and coordination of services, introduction of new schemes or children

2nd Oct 1975-ICDS-under this scheme angawadi centres at community level were implemented

Sixth Five year plan(1980 to 1985)- Integration & strengthening of child welfare & development programmes was started,

1981 – central child labour advisory Board set up to review implementation of existing laws concerning child labour

1982 – early childhood education to reduce dropouts, national health policy was formulated

Seventh Five year plan 1985-90Sep 1985-separate dept of women & child

development was setup in Ministry of Human Resource Development,

2006-independent Ministry of Women & Child Development

1986 –Juvenile justice act was implemented, GOI enacted the Child labour(prohibition and regulation Act 1986

1987 – National Policy on child labour announced

Eighth Five Year Plan 1992 – 1997 – Emphasis on Survival & development of Children

1993 – 1994 – National Creche Fund was set up to meet the growing demand for creches

Efforts towards tackling the problems of social deviance, juvenile delinquency, & juvenile crime through preventive, correctional, & rehabilitated services

1992-Child survival & Safe Motherhood Program(CSSM)

1993 – National Nutrition Policy to combat malnutrition

1995- Pulse Polio immunisation program, emphasis on development of girl child

Ninth Five year plan 1997 to 2002 – 1997- Balika Samridhi Yojana was launched to

ensure all female children go to schools living below poverty line.

1998 – GOI-Plan of action to combat trafficking & commercial sexual exploitation of women & children

2001 – National commission for children to safeguard the rights of children,

2001-2002- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with aim of providing elementary education to all children of 6-14 yrs by 2010

Tenth five year plan-2002-20071994- Prenatal Diagnostic Technique Act2002-National Nutrition Mission was set up to reduce

/eliminate macro & micro nutrient deficiencies in the country

2003- (Prohibition of sex selection) Preconception & prenatal diagnostic technique act,

Focus on health education & Nutrition of deprived groupsNew approach –goal of universalisation of elementary

education

Welfare for Children & Women1954- creation of Balwadis & Mahila mandals

in rural areas to reach women & childrenSpecial programmes to meet needs of

delinquents, destitutes, handicapped & other groups of children

1983- Central Social Welfare Board-assisting voluntary

Agencies in organising welfare programmes for children, women, & handicapped

Vulnerable groups