Modern Social Problems Through the Sociological Imagination Prism

Modern Social Problems Through the Sociological Imagination Prism

Introduction

The definition and understanding of contemporary social problems since the 1950s are not complete without understanding the concept of the sociological imagination. For a proper discernment of this term, it is necessary to support it with other theoretical ideas that best reveal the causes and consequences of both personal and social problems.

It will be apparent that every person in this or that society is faced with one or more social problems, either reinforced by personal problems or explained just by the sociological imagination. From the point of view of a personal character, it is easy to assume that, for example, criminals or inveterate alcoholics are themselves guilty of their situation. However, sociology is not so primitive and often tells us that individual and personal problems are a circumstance or a consequence of more significant problems in society and the state. “Both the correct statement of the problem and the range of possible solutions require any of us to consider the economic and political institutions of the society, and not merely the personal situation and character of a scatter of individuals” (Mills, 2000, p. 15).

Personal Issues and Public Issues

In the classification of personal problems, one can clearly distinguish crucial features, namely, that a person who has suffered from such conflicts blames himself and his shortcomings for their cause. There are many examples of related problems, each of us is exposed to them daily or knows someone who had similar issues and experience in analogous cases. Public or social problems are already complex, as they affect part or all of society living under one culture in any specific state. Therefore, Mills, in his reports, often considers personal problems from the point of view of the sociological imagination. Similarly, he tries to assess the structural features of some personal issues in people in the community.

To better understand such an explanation, one can use the concepts of class and classism and evaluate in detail why certain people are more likely to be unemployed and not adequately educated. If the number of jobless people in population of 1000 can be counted on the fingers of one hand, then in most cases, this will be their problem, which their characteristics and abilities could explain. Nevertheless, in the history of humankind and modern society, unemployment, and as a result, poverty is presented as a social problem, as the cause of the collapse of the state system. Therefore, according to other sociologists, solving such problems requires the intervention of many other factors, such as socio-economic indicators and the work of state institutions (Mills, 2000). This exact statement allows a deeper look at the social construct of society.

Recent studies conducted in the UK have adequately shed light on this concept. According to Savage et al., their comprehensive and numerical analysis, proposing a new model of social classes in the United Kingdom, confirmed the presence of social inequality, which explains the reasons for the low level of education and high unemployment (2013, p. 245). As figures and maps show, the precariat mostly lives in old industrialized regions with few opportunities for quality education. In addition, their national gross income does not exceed 8,000 pounds sterling per capita, affecting their living standard and often determining their future career prospects (Savage et al, 2013, p. 243). Another thing is already with the highest representatives of the social class. Despite their condition and opportunities, they do not try to solve or at least understand the essence of the problem that arises among the lower classes.

Classism in turn, perfectly intersects with the concept that continues the idea of ​​Mills, namely in words of W. Ryan: to blame the victim, but not the system. That is, in his opinion, people themselves tend to blame the victims of specific problems without trying to understand other factors that can be decisive (Brott et al., 2018). Another problem can be considered, which in people’s opinion, is often caused by personal reasons rather than social ones. Eating disorders, and as a result, anorexia or obesity, are personal problems in terms of their formation. However, the sociological imagination can also explain the problem in terms of cultural and social factors. The data show that there are many more women than men among people with eating disorders in the United States, and according to healthcare experts, this is due to beauty standards (Assari & DeFreitas, 2018). The media often force the ideal of female beauty and harmony, which is why a culture of striving for thinness appears. Social classes also confirm this statement, referring to the low ea