What Are Some Examples of Sociological Issues?

Sociological issues are issues that a large part of society feel are wrong or problematic. Examples include issues that everyone view as a problem, like murder, and those that some may disagree on, like smoking in public places.

Social problems are conditions or situations that at least one group in a society feel are wrong. While people agree on certain situations being problematic for society, many are objective. Examples of such social issues include:

  • Environmental decline
  • Workplace discrimination
  • Corporate corruption
  • Poverty, unemployment and homelessness
  • Health care and aging
  • The decline of religion

In order for a social issue to be classed as such, it must meet certain criteria:

  • There must be some public outcry identifying it as a social issue. People must actively discuss the condition, which then attracts attention from the public.
  • The issue must run contrary to society’s ideals. For example, of society determines that it is not ideal to commit adultery and a lot of people are, it fulfills this criteria.
  • A significant portion of the population must define it as a social issue. If only a small number of people are speaking out against it, then it is not a social issue.
  • There must be a way for society to correct the condition. If there is no way of changing what is happening, it is not a social issue.