social issue
Public policy concern
A social issue is a problem or condition affecting significant portions of a population that becomes a matter of public concern and debate: poverty, racism, housing inequality, access to healthcare.
The term implies something requiring collective attention rather than individual solutions.
What counts as a social issue shifts with time and politics—climate change and gender identity are contemporary examples that earlier generations wouldn't have recognized as such.
Severe lack of resources
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- homelessnessLacking permanent residence
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
illiteracy · pollution · climate change · human trafficking · domestic violence · mental health · food insecurity · gun violence
Impartial treatment or ownership value
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- inclusionBeing made part
- diversityState of varied elements
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
discrimination · prejudice · bias · parity · egalitarianism · accessibility · opportunity · representation
Public expression of disapproval
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
petition · boycott · demonstration · campaign · activist · organizer · solidarity · awareness
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
- criminal justiceState apparatus for prosecuting offenders
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
reparations · systemic racism · mass incarceration · police brutality · wrongful conviction · sentencing · prison reform · racial profiling
Official enactment of statutes
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- public policyGovernment's societal problem-solving approach
- governmentAuthority over a state
welfare · mandate · initiative · ballot measure · zoning · subsidy · tax policy · safety net
Formal communication on subjects
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- opinionsSubjective beliefs or assessments
- perspectivesAttitudes toward situations
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
discussion · rhetoric · public sphere · partisanship · dissent · consensus · polarization · talking points
poverty
Severe lack of resources
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- homelessnessLacking permanent residence
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
inequality · illiteracy · pollution · climate change · human trafficking · domestic violence · mental health · food insecurity · gun violence · opioid epidemic
equity
Impartial treatment or ownership value
disparity · discrimination · prejudice · bias · parity · egalitarianism · accessibility · opportunity · representation · minorities
protest
Public expression of disapproval
grassroots · petition · boycott · demonstration · campaign · activist · organizer · solidarity · awareness · volunteer
restorative justice
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
- criminal justiceState apparatus for prosecuting offenders
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- reformImprove by correcting faults
accountability · reparations · systemic racism · mass incarceration · police brutality · wrongful conviction · sentencing · prison reform · racial profiling · bail reform
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- public policyGovernment's societal problem-solving approach
government · welfare · mandate · initiative · ballot measure · zoning · subsidy · tax policy · safety net · entitlement
discourse
Formal communication on subjects
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- opinionsSubjective beliefs or assessments
- perspectivesAttitudes toward situations
dialogue · discussion · rhetoric · public sphere · partisanship · dissent · consensus · polarization · talking points · town hall
- documentary typesdocumentaries, cinema verite, observational, fly on the wall, expository
social issueprivilege
Exclusive right or benefit
advantage · social good · benefit · public good · public benefit
social, issue, society, associate, association, issued, associated, issuing, issues