Current sociological issues: Understanding the social and political dynamics at play in current events is becoming more and more crucial as the globe becomes more connected thanks to the spread of media and technology. A framework for studying and comprehending any sort of news event is provided by sociology, or the study of society and human social behavior.
Along these lines, this article explores how sociological issues are often reported in the news. And how sociological research has been used to comprehend and explain current events. For example, sociological research could be used to understand and explain the phenomenon of “Black Lives Matter.” Similarly, the various positions of many feminist thinkers on the question of whether the hijab is a choice or a requirement could also be understood and explained through the use of sociological research. Therefore, it seems that an understanding of sociology can help us better grasp the news and make sense of events that might otherwise seem confusing or random. And now let’s examine several recent sociology news stories in depth to support our claim!
8 Current Sociological Issues – Explained
1.Racism in American Society: All Lives Matter!
Who could forget the historic “Black Lives Matter” movement that was born out of the shooting of a black man named Michael Brown in the US, which spurred protests and exposed the country’s pervasive racism?
Through the perspective of conflict sociology, racism can be seen as a structural problem that has caused significant disparities between black and white communities in the country. Racism, the belief that certain races are superior to others, has a long and painful history in the United States, with policies like slavery and segregation serving to institutionalize these beliefs.
Recently, we saw another example of racism with the case of Pramila Jayapala, an Indian-American woman who was threatened by an anonymous male caller to be sent back to India. This shows how the intersection of racism and sexism adds an additional layer of complexity to the issue. Despite progress in combating discrimination, minorities and women of colour in the United States continue to experience discrimination and harassment, which can take the form of sexist language and stereotypes, the wage gap, the glass ceiling, and sexual harassment.
Movements like Black Lives Matter, when viewed sociologically, shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by black people in the United States and call for systemic change to address these issues. This could involve reforms to the criminal justice system, such as demilitarizing police forces and implementing body cameras, as well as efforts to address the root causes of racial inequality, like poverty and a lack of access to education.
2. Iran’s Anti-Hijab Protest: Women’s Resistance Against Repressive State Apparatus
Recently, there were anti-government protests in Iran, with one of the main demands being the repeal of the mandatory hijab law. The hijab is a head covering worn by Muslim women that has been required by law in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. However, some feminists defend the right of Muslim women to wear the hijab, seeing it as a form of female empowerment and a way for women to assert their identity and express their religious beliefs. Other feminists argue that the hijab is a symbol of oppression and is used to control women.
The anti-hijab protests in Iran can be seen from a sociological perspective as a sign of the growing frustration among Iranian women with the repressive political system in Iran, which requires them to wear hijabs in public at any cost. The state’s oppressive framework seeks to maintain its authority by treating its subjects as “obedient servants.” According to French Marxist philosopher Louis Althusser, even a simple piece of clothing like the hijab can serve as a “repressive state apparatus,” through which the state seeks to control women’s behaviour and maintain their subservient status.
3. Afghanistan under Taliban rule: International humanitarian law violations
Afghanistan has been embroiled in violence for many years, with many groups competing for power. The Taliban, a radical Islamic group, currently rules Afghanistan and enforces their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Over the years, the Taliban has committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law, including targeting civilians, using child soldiers, and suppressing women’s rights.
Sociologically, the Taliban’s rule can be seen as an example of a repressive political system that seeks to impose its ideology on the population through the use of force. For example, women have been beaten and shot dead publicly for accusations of improper dress code and adultery. Socialist feminists would analyze the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan by focusing on how it perpetuates traditional gender roles and oppressive gender norms. The Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia law leads to the exclusion of women from many aspects of the public sphere, as they believe women are not able to handle the responsibilities of public life. Some Islamist feminists expose the patriarchal or outright anti-Islamic mindset of the Taliban, which leads them to think that women are less knowledgeable than men, more emotional, and hence more likely to make poor decisions.
The Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan is thus bleak and repressive for women. Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has also held the Taliban accountable for violating the rights of millions of girls and women, who are required to be covered from head to toe, are not allowed to work, and must be accompanied at all times by a male relativet allowed to work, and must be accompanied at all times by a male relative. By applying Louis Althusser’s understanding, this rigid application of Islamic law could be seen as a strategy for producing “obedient citizens” who can engage in unethical political behavior.
3. Russia-Ukraine war repercussions: a full-fledged humanitarian crisis
Russia and Ukraine are currently engaged in a war that started in 2014 and has had catastrophic effects on both nations. Civilians are suffering greatly and are being displaced as a result of a serious humanitarian crisis. As of December 4, 2022, about 6,702 civilian deaths had occurred, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Report, and the number is still increasing. According to the BBC, millions of people have been displaced within Ukraine, and the war has resulted in over 70,000 deaths, including both military troops and civilians. Many of these displaced people had no choice but to flee their houses and find temporary lodging or shelter with relatives.
Moreover, the economic effects of this war have been seen in both countries, including downturns from the disruption of trade and investment. The sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its involvement in the conflict by the United States and the European Union have exacerbated the country’s economic situation.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be analysed sociologically through the lens of power dynamics and group identity. The war may be seen as a result of Russia’s desire to maintain its influence and control over Ukraine, which was a former Soviet republic. At the same time, Ukraine’s desire to move towards a more Western-oriented identity may be seen as a threat to Russia’s sense of group identity and power. The war may also be seen as a manifestation of the longstanding cultural and historical differences between the two countries. Societal issues, such as corruption and economic inequality, may also be contributing factors to the conflict. Ultimately, the war can be understood as a complex interplay of social, political, and economic factors at the individual, group, and international levels.
4. The Economic and Political Crisis in Sri Lanka: A Danger to Democracy
Recent political unrest in Sri Lanka has prompted questions about the stability of its democracy. Demands for the resignation of the country’s president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, over allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and general bad governance were made by the enraged masses, who were carrying placards that read, “Gotaba Go Home.” People even stormed into the house of their then-president to protest against the nation’s escalating living expenses, fuel and gas shortages, and protracted power outages. Additionally, the protesters can be seen using the kitchen, swimming in the pool, and taking naps in his living rooms, which is nothing but a way of showing dissatisfaction with the constitutional system there.
The crisis has had a number of sociological and economic effects on the country. One of the main concerns has been the stability of Sri Lanka’s democracy, as the removal of the prime minister and the appointment of a new one without the consent of parliament have raised questions about the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
The crisis has also caused a decline in confidence in democratic institutions and the government, as many people feel that their voices are not being heard.
Additionally, the turmoil has had negative impacts on the economy, including reduced trade, investment, and tourism. This has led to economic hardship, particularly for those with lower incomes. It is important that the government take steps to address the crisis and ensure the protection of democratic institutions in Sri Lanka.
5. China’s explosive COVID surge: people’s protest against the “zero COVID” strategy
There have been protests against China’s “zero-tolerance” policy, with people unwilling to be confined to their homes even if it means risking their lives. Sociologically, the reasons for these protests can be found in the stress and anxiety caused by lockdowns and other measures that have disrupted people’s normal daily lives.
In his book “The Risk Society,” Ulrich Beck describes the Zero-Covid policy as “a culture of risk generates the political possibility for a dirigiste society,” where modern risks such as COVID-19 are used by governments as justification for restricting people’s freedoms.” Similarly, Michael Foucault’s concept of the panopticon in “Discipline and Punish” also suggests that constant surveillance and monitoring by the government and media can create a sense of paranoia and fear in the population.
Overall, sociological analysis of the situation in China shows that the government’s “Zero-Covid” policy has resulted in a sense of fear and paranoia among the population. Instead of just creating obedient citizens, governments should work towards finding the ultimate cure for the pandemic and creating a peaceful and healthy environment. This is the only way to truly end the pandemic, as it is said that we often suffer twice as much in our paranoid minds as in reality.
7. Climate Change: A Modern “Risk”
Climate change is a modern “risk” that has a significant sociological impact on society. It is clear that the Earth’s climate is changing and that human activity is a contributing factor. If we do not take action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the effects of climate change are likely to worsen in the future.
From a sociological perspective, there are many factors that influence how climate change is reported on and discussed in the media. One important factor is media framing, or the way in which a news story is presented to the public. Media frames can shape the public’s understanding of an issue and influence how people think about it. Another factor is the influence of special interest groups, such as fossil fuel companies, on the narrative around climate change. These groups may have a financial stake in the status quo and may work to downplay the severity of the problem or cast doubt on the science behind it.
Political polarisation is also a factor in the discourse surrounding climate change. In many countries, the issue has become politicized, with some political parties and leaders taking a more sceptical or dismissive approach. This can make it difficult to have a constructive dialogue about the issue and find solutions.
Overall, the issue of climate change is complex and multifaceted, and it is important for the media and society as a whole to approach it with a nuanced and scientifically grounded perspective. It is vital that we take action to address this pressing problem and work toward reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on our planet.
Read: Five Filters of Mass Media
8. The release of Bilkis Bano’s rapists: double oppression of minority women
The release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, who were celebrated as heroes and praised for their “good sanskars,” highlights the use of Hindutva in dirty politics and suggests an oppressor/oppressed power struggle. The Gujarat government, seen as promoting Hindutva, was viewed as acting as the oppressor. This case also demonstrates the dual oppression experienced by minority women, who are stigmatized and treated unfairly due to both their gender and minority status.
An intersectional feminist analysis can be used to examine this dual oppression. Intersectionality looks at how various oppressions intersect, such as how a Dalit woman in India may face worse prejudice and discrimination due to both her low caste and gender. Similarly, Muslim women in India may be doubly oppressed as both women and minorities. One way this is evident is through the use of religious rhetoric to justify the discrimination and violence they experience, as seen in the Bilkis Bano case. This can be understood as a result of multiple forms of oppression, as rape has often been used as a weapon of war and women’s bodies have been treated as battlefields. As a result, attackers on these doubly oppressed women frequently go unpunished.
Conclusion
To recapitulate the whole argument, it could be said that sociology can be a valuable tool for understanding the news and the social and political issues it covers. It provides a framework for understanding how society functions and how various events and phenomena are interconnected. It can also help us understand the motivations and intentions of those involved in the news, as well as the various institutions and social groups impacted by it.
Through sociological analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding of social and political issues and identify the underlying causes of these issues. This can inform policy changes or other interventions that address these issues. For example, a sociologist may examine how the media represents a particular race or how people of different races react to a news story. By looking at these issues from multiple angles, we can gain a more well-rounded understanding of them.
In this way, sociology helps us think critically about the news and social issues and avoid falling victim to biased or repetitive thinking. It allows us to come to more informed conclusions about these issues.
Also Read; How to Apply Sociology in Everyday Life
