Social Problems
...ories one must realize that there are two theories in effect: Marxist and non-Marxist. “Marxist theories focus on social conflict that results from economic inequalities; non-Marxist theories focus on social conflict that results from competing values and interests among social groups.”(Mooney 11) “Symbolic Interactionism reflects the micro sociological perspective and was largely influenced by the work of early sociologists and philosophers such as Max Weber, George Simmel, Charles Horton Cooley, G.H. Mead, W.I, Thomas, Erving Goffman, and Howard Becker.”(Mooney 13) Symbolic Interactionism is a little bit different than the two previous theories. This theory “looks at the big picture of society and suggests how social problems are affected at the institutional level.”(Mooney 13) In my own personal opinion I see drunk driving as a social problem at the height of up most concern. The rules, regulations, and penalties for DWI are influencing the way people live, love, and prosper. Drunk driving affects society in many different ways. Drunk drivers are the reason that auto insurance is so high, and nearly unaffordable. Mothers and loved ones can no longer sleep while their child is out at night, constantly worrying if there are drunk drivers out tonight. Everyone dreads being hit by a drunk driver and everyone knows the deadly consequences of driving under the influence, yet the death rate for drunk driving is climbing every year. In this social problem there is no structural-functionalism theory in affect. There is no program that is helping the cause and there are no organizations that are cracking down on this problem. While many people are concerned and worried, the correct actions are not being taken to prevent further deaths. On the other hand the conflict theory is very present in this social problem. The division of society is clear. People who have money and can afford a good lawyer and pay fines can get out of spending time in jail for DWI charges, while poor, poverty-stricken people get jail time and probation. This should not be the case and everyone should be created equal, weather you have money or not. The theory of symbolic interaction and this social problem coexist hand in hand. People care for each other and when one person shows they care many others follow which is what Cooley calls the “looking glass self”. When someone makes a stance on drunk driving followers seem to come from everywhere. I...