Social Problem

Framing
Policymaking Cycle
1-Problem
Identification

6-Policy 2-Agenda
Evaluation Setting

5-Policy 3-Policy
Implementation Formulation
4-Decision
Making
 Defining Social Problems is a
Collective Behavior

● Many putative/assumed conditions in society perceived/labeled as a problem.

● However: social problems are not simply mirrors of objective conditions

It is the collective and social definition of conditions as being

negative/problematic that create a social problem.
Social Problems
Conditions DON’T become labeled as problems because they are more
important or serious than others

If set of conditions becomes labeled as a problem, it does not mean that

the conditions have worsened or changed

Several political, economic, and social forces are at work in defining

or framing social problems.
Why is this
important?
How problems are framed is strongly
related to potential policy responses

Goal Real World

A good match between

a problem definition ✔ Some serious problems cannot get policy attention
and a policy response ✔ Policy responses often do not match problem definitions
✔ Politicians define problems in certain ways for political gain
✔ Pet policies sometimes require creation of a “problem
Social Problem Framing: Examples

Bullying in schools Caffeine addiction

(not defined as problem)

Obesity
(disease vs. risk behavior vs. social indicator) Climate change

Vaping
(risky behavior for youth vs. harm reduction) Welfare fraud

Gentrification and housing

affordability
What is Social Problem Framing?

Statements/claims about a set of societal conditions represent a specific

interpretation from plurality of possibilities

● Compete for attention on policy agendas

● Inherent: value statements & moral reasoning
Policy Agenda Competition
Public Policy Response

Competition for Space on Policy Agendas

Problem X Problem Y Problem Z

Condition 1 Competition among Condition 1000

Construction A constructions or framings of Construction C
Construction B Problems Construction D
Example: U.S. Firearm Violence (1)

Problem: Too many people

have too many guns
• It is too easy for people to purchase and possess firearms
• There are too many firearms in both public and private spaces
• Citizens do not need assault weapons for any purpose
• Firearms are a leading contributor to mortality, injury, and suicide
Example: U.S. Firearm Violence (2)

Problem: Some bad people are

violent

• Some who are evil or mentally ill misuse firearms – cannot stop them
• We need more people with guns to be ready to intervene and stop violence
• More regulation & restrictions will not solve public health & safety problems
• The right to bear arms trumps any other societal concerns
 Credits:

Dr. Paula Lantz

James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy; Professor of Public Policy and
Health Management & Policy
Ford School of Public Policy

© Dr. Paula Lantz