A social issue is a problem that affects many people within a society and negatively impacts individuals, groups, or communities. These issues are often beyond an individual's control and involve conflicts over what is considered morally right or wrong in personal or social life decisions
. Key characteristics of social issues include:
- They have negative consequences for large portions of the population.
- They are widely recognized by society as significant problems needing solutions.
- They conflict with the values or principles held by the majority.
- They can be addressed through social action, resources, regulation, or community efforts
Social issues encompass a broad range of problems such as poverty, discrimination (based on race, gender, etc.), inequality, crime, violence, homelessness, environmental degradation, human rights violations, and health- related problems like substance abuse or HIV/AIDS
. These issues often generate public debate and differing opinions about their causes and solutions. Efforts to address social issues can include political action, volunteering, nonprofit work, and community organizing
. In summary, social issues are widespread societal problems that disrupt the well-being and functioning of communities and require collective action to resolve
