How Overpopulation Causes Social Problems
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how overpopulation causes social problems. To
do so you must take many things into consideration, such as different views of racial
problems and conflicting definitions of a social problem. Social problems can be defined
in many different ways. They effect everyone and some of us encounter problems
everyday as a result of our race, religion, gender, or low income. Others experience
problems from technological change or declining neighborhoods, others are affected
directly by crime and violence in their own neighborhood, and sometimes definitions of
social problems are changed by society because of changes around you. Finally in order to
achieve the purpose of this which is to examine and discuss different issues and situations
that cause social problems such as poverty.
Overpopulation and social problems go hand and hand in todays society and there are
many reasons and factors as to why these problems exist. Factors that lead to
overpopulation that causes social problems are the increase in the number of single
mothers in poor neighborhoods opposed to the decline in birth rates in the more efficient
parts of the country, how the death rate is at a steady decline because of medical advances
in rich and poor countries, the effects immigrants have on an environment and the
population growth that occurs, the influence parents leave on children, and what is being
done to help prevent the spread of AIDS because this is a deadly disease which is lowering
our population but causing many social problems.
Elements of a Social Problem
There are also elements that make up a social problem. One of these elements is that “they
cause physical or mental damage to individuals or society” (Carter p16) which means that
sometimes people may permanently suffer before any action is taken to solve the problem
because everybody thought it was not that big of a deal until sometimes permanent or short
term damage has occurred. Another element is “they offend the values or standards of
some powerful segment of society” (Carter p16) which means no matter what you do
someone will always take offense against your actions because everyone has different
views and values and what is important to some may not be to others. Another element is
that “they persist for an extended period of time”(Carter p16) and everyone can picture that
being true because as you solve one problem another always arises. The last element of a
