Applied Social Sciences-2-2 Research Investigation Progress Check 1-2
Tabbie Bozeman
Introduction:
My social science issue is social factors that contribute to an/or perpetuate addiction. This issue is significant because there is a huge difference in the way underserved communities are treated and helped versus wealthy areas and neighborhoods. Crack cocaine affected black and brown underserved communities and the addictions for those people were criminalized. The opioid crisis has affected middle white America and not only was it not criminalized, but billions of dollars have also been contributed by the government to assist in getting people help. The same subject matter of addiction, but two very different ways of dealing with is based on social factors.
The social science principles that apply to my issue is social norms, social institutions and social roles.
Social norms apply to this issue because additions are not acceptable to mainstream society. Social institutions apply to this issue because when programs are cut, people who suffer from addiction tend to suffer more. They have less access to obtain help. There are strict rules for people to be able to get into programs including income limits, space and availability. Social roles apply to this issue especially if you are raising children and suffering from addiction. Our behavior can sometimes dictate how our children grow up and behave.
This social science issue is very important to me personally because I have many family members that suffer or suffered from addiction. If the government treated black and brown individuals with addiction the same way they treat middle white
America, some on my family members might have been saved. We treat black and brown people as criminals and not as regular productive members of society.
to now, not much has changed. Society has just found a more civilized way to mistreat black and brown citizens. I would love to see all addicts treated the same and given the same resources. If anything we have is wrong, we are protecting the middle class to rich and continuing to ignore the underserved communities that need the help.
My research question is; If society is aware that social factors contribute and perpetuate addiction why has there been no attempt to change the circumstances?
A social scientist would begin by researching social differences in affluent communities versus underserved communities. A list would be made of the most important findings regarding this topic. References would be double checked to ensure that the best information is included in your project.
Social factors that contribute and/or perpetuate addiction
REFERENCE PAGE
Vanessa Hemovich, Andrew Lac & William D. Crano (2011) Understanding early-onset drug and alcohol outcomes among youth: The role of family structure, social factors, and interpersonal perceptions of use, Psychology, Health & Medicine, 16:3, 249-267
Mary Nelson Robertson, Laura H. Downey, Holli H. Seitz, Alisha M. Hardman, David R. Buys, Rural adults' perceived role of family members in prescription opioid misuse prevention: Implications for family-based approaches The Journal of Rural Health, (2021).
Saloner B, Le Cook B