Question

Perhaps one of the most important components to studying social problems is an understanding of the difference between an objective versus a subjective definition of a problem. Discuss some of the challenges to defining problems from an objective perspective.

Answer 1

The following are a few challenges faced in defining problems from an objective perspective:

• The degree or the intensity of the problems vary depending on the variables involved in causing them.
• What may be deemed as a problem by one may be deemed as an opportunity by someone else.
• It is difficult to determine whether a lack of some of the attributes should be deemed as a problem or not when it is possible to succeed in the absence of those attributes.
• The ability of the problem to cause loss or damage is different in different scenarios.