DISCIPLINES and IDEAS IN SOCIAL

SCIENCES
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 4
Social Science and Social Problems
INTRODUCTION (What I need to know)

In the previous lesson, you were able to learn the ideas of our forefathers in Agham Panlipunang
Pilipino that influenced the concepts of Sikolohiyang Pilipino at Pantayong Pananaw, and you became
conscious on the role of social science in the global phenomenon which are essential in shaping the right
values of young Filipinos towards good citizenship.

In this concluding lesson, it will help you examine how the disciplines of Social Sciences address
different social issues.

(MELC) Most Essential Learning Competency:

Analyze the practical use of Social Sciences in addressing social concerns and phenomenon.

At the end of this module, you shall be able to:

a. Identify the social problem;
b. Analyze the response to social concerns;
c. Design intervention programs in resolving social issues/concerns.

DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES (What is it)

Social Science and Social Problems

Social problems are:

 Condition or behavior that has negative consequences for large numbers of people and that is
generally recognized as a condition or behavior that needs to be addressed. 
 Problems that result in pain, suffering & misery. Victims may need medical help.
 Unpleasant & unacceptable behavior like stealing and bullying
 Conditions that are widespread in the society because people do not use caution in their actions
 Things that affect many people in a bad way - like being poor[ CITATION Bes19 \l 13321 ]

What are the common Social Problems?

1. Poverty
 Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and
essentials for a minimum standard of living.
 Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can't be
met.
 Poverty-stricken people and families might go without proper housing, clean water, healthy food,
and medical attention. Each nation may have its own threshold that determines how many of its
people are living in poverty. [ CITATION Che20 \l 13321 ]
Causes of Poverty

 Lack of good jobs/job growth

2. Corruption  Lack of infrastructure
 Lack of good education  Lack of good healthcare
 Weather/climate change  Lack of government support
 Warfare/conflict  Lack of food and water
 Social injustice  High costs

Corruption is dishonest behavior by those in positions of power, such as managers or government

officials. Corruption can include giving or accepting bribes or inappropriate gifts, double-dealing,
under-the-table transactions, manipulating elections, diverting funds, laundering money, and
defrauding investors [CITATION Che201 \l 13321 ]
 How to prevent corruption?

Corruption is likely to be reduced with accountability mechanisms in place; this in turn is

likely to reinforce a culture that fosters strong ethical behavior while holding those to account who
violate the norms. Corruption can further be reduced by making it easy to report, whether by
managers, employees, suppliers, and customers. A robust control environment also reduces the
risk of corruption as do thorough background checks before hiring or promoting employees.

3. Unemployment

Unemployment occurs when a person who is actively searching for employment is unable to find
work. Unemployment is often used as a measure of the health of the economy. The most
frequent measure of unemployment is the unemployment rate, which is the number of unemployed
people divided by the number of people in the labor force.

Unemployment in the Philippines is attributed to reasons including overpopulation, oversupply of

labor force on certain industries and the inability to take on available jobs. 

In recent times, due to the health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, World
Bank has projected that as many as 3 million more Filipinos will either be jobless or fall into poverty
this year. [CITATION Inv20 \l 13321 ]

4. Terrorism

Terrorist attacks have been causing a major strain to the country’s travel and tourism sector. In
the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017, the Philippines
slid five places to 79th spot out of 136 countries. The country got an overall score of 3.6 and of the 14
pillars considered, it was on safety and security that the Philippines got its lowest rank. The
Philippines landed at the 126th place, the bottom end of the spectrum.
Terrorism, the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby
to bring about a particular political objective. [ CITATION Jen20 \l 13321 ]

Effects of Terrorism

1. Terrorist acts can cause ripple effects through the economy that have negative impacts.
2. The most obvious is the direct economic destruction of property and lives.
3. Terrorism directly affects the economy by creating market uncertainty, xenophobia, loss of tourism,
and loss of lives and properties.

5. Natural Disasters

Natural disaster is an event that is caused by the natural forces of the earth and results in great
damage and possibly loss of life. Each year, the earth experiences natural disasters. When natural
disasters occur in heavily populated areas, a lot of people may lose their lives. [ CITATION Rit14 \l
13321 ] 

Types of Natural Disasters that usually occur in the Philippines:

TYPHOON EARTHQUAKE WILD FIRE/FOREST FIRE

Source: GMA news by Unknown Author is licensed under Source: vectorstock.com

VOLCANIC ERUPTION DROUGHT

by Unknown Author is licensed under Source: stockart.com

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6. Crimes
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a
conviction. While every crime violates the law, not every violation of the law counts as a crime; for
example, breaches of contract and of other civil law may rank as “offenses” or as “infractions”.  

Types of crimes
 A violent crime is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force upon the
victim.
 Sex crimes are forms of human sexual behavior that are crimes. Someone who commits one is
said to be a sex offender.
 Property crime involves the taking of money or property, and does not involve force or threat of
force against a victim.
 Hate crimes occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her perceived
membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, sex, or gender identity.
 Organized crime is the transnational, national, or local grouping of highly centralized
enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity.
 Virtual crime refers to a virtual criminal act that takes place in a massively multiplayer online
game (MMOG). [ CITATION Lea20 \l 13321 ]

Responding to Social Problems

Resolving social problems is neither a simple and quick process. But the advent of technology
nowadays, Forbes Technology Council has provided suggestions for potential solutions with the use of
technology to resolve social problems in the world. [ CITATION Bro17 \l 1033 ]

1. Climate Change

Climate change will become the most significant destabilizing global issue. Technology can
help in many ways, from making electric cars mainstream and building alternative sources of
energy to replace coal to creating more efficient buildings, non-polluting air conditioning systems
and desalination systems. 

2. Poverty

Poverty can be eliminated by using technology to create more jobs and open up a wider
marketplace for those in developing countries to reach an audience that would be interested in
buying what they make or offer. Ensuring everyone has equal access to the internet can certainly
go a long way to creating a way for more people to economically sustain themselves.

3. Education

Technologies like online courses and robots in the classroom allow for a higher-quality and
standardized delivery of curriculum by experts who really understand the subjects being taught.
This type of education dramatically increases access both for urban and rural classrooms that lack
the resources to maintain a well-trained staff. 

4. Public Safety

Kidnappings, ambushes and reports of rape are words that we unfortunately read in
headlines on a regular basis. Enhanced CCTV cameras or personal devices with face recognition
technologies connected to a database of criminals may be able to proactively warn when known
offenders are in close proximity, while peer-to-peer, location-based emergency communication
technologies can enable victims to seek help from law enforcement or others nearby.

5. Farming

Leveraging e-commerce technologies to improve access to healthier options will help save
trillions of dollars in health care, help families live healthier, happier lives and make the healthier
options affordable. With deep learning technologies, we can do analysis and predictions on how we
farm our crops and livestock, allowing us to evaluate and optimize the sustainability of farming. 

Other ways in resolving social concerns are:

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 1. Providing access to job-oriented education (vocational course) in order to gain
opportunity of employment.

2. Providing intensified awareness campaign on population control, making family

planning devices should be made available at no cost for the poor and in rural areas in
order to resolve the issue on population growth.

3. Provision of free education and scholarships grants opportunities to all poor but
deserving students. [ CITATION Bro17 \l 13321 ]

ASSESSMENT

I. Directions: Identify the social problem in each situation. Write it in your answer sheets.

1. El Nino _________________________________________
2. Marawi siege ____________________________________
3. “Pastillas” group ________________________________
4. “No job vacancy” ________________________________
5. Maguindanao massacre _________________________

II. Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is incorrect.
1. Corruption is dishonest behavior by those in positions of power, such as managers or government
officials.
2. Terrorism is a form of peacefulness that cause destruction of properties and loss of lives.
3. Organized crimes are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises
run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity
4. The conditions that are widespread in the society because people do not use caution in their
actions refers to social problem.
5. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can't be
met.
6. A controlled environment reduces the risk of corruption like a thorough background checks before
hiring or promoting employees.
7. Employment is a term referring to individuals who are employable and seeking a job but are
unable to find a job.
8. Terrorism indirectly affects the economy by creating market uncertainty, xenophobia, loss of
tourism, and loss of lives and properties.
9. Breaches of contract and of other civil law may rank as “offenses” or as “infractions.
10. Providing awareness campaign on population control, making family planning devices should be
made available at no cost for the poor and in rural areas in order to resolve the issue on
population growth.

III. Directions: Identify the different parts of a project proposal, write your answer in a separate sheet of
paper.
Parts of a Project Proposal

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI
VII.
VIII.

ANSWER KEY TO ASSESSMENT

I. II.
1. True
2. False
I. Title of the Project
III. 3. True II. The Rationale
1. Natural disaster 4. True III. The Target Beneficiary
2. Terrorism 5. True IV. Objectives
6. True
3. Corruption V. Strategies
7. False
4. Unemployment 8. False VI. Budgetary
5. Crime 9. True requirements
10. True VII. Action Plan
VIII. Conclusion