Social Problem

Social Problem
Steven Powell
SOC 1301
Dr. Larry F. Ross
January 25, 2011

     

   
        Violence is a social problem that increases over the years.   Violence is not so much shown in magazines and books as it is on television and the media.   This does not mean that violence on television is the only source for aggressive or violent behavior, but it is a significant contributor.   For example, today in the news, two police officers were shot and killed; a U.S. Marshal was also wounded in St. Petersburg, Florida, during a gunfight with a suspect.   The officers died of gunshot wounds received while trying to serve a warrant on the suspect in a house.   The officer were attempting to serve the warrant when the suspect starting shooting.   The U.S. Marshall is in stable condition after receiving two gunshot wounds.   The gunman was a known sex offender and it is unclear whether negotiators were trying to get the suspect to surrender but not getting any response.   This shooting occurred on the same day of the funeral in Miami of two Miami-Dade County police officers who were shot and killed by a fugitive murder suspect last week.   The suspect was also killed at the scene.
      To understand what a social problem is, one must understand Sociologists definition of a social problem, which “is one whose causes and solutions lie outside the individual’s and the immediate environment (Lauer & Lauer, 2008, p. 4).”   This crime is a classic example of Robert Merton’s strain theory, “when a society socializes large numbers of people to desire a cultural goal (such as success) but withholds from many the approved means of reaching that goal; one adaptation to strain is crime (Henslin, 2007, p.210).”   This is more than likely what happen to this suspect, judging by his extensive criminal history and him being wanted for aggravated assault.   The strain of society definitely caused him to choose a deviant path.   It is apparent that the guy was a career criminal who...