Contemporary Sociological Issues

This assignment explores contemporary sociological issues, including the construction of social structures in society, tensions between structure and agency, key factors influencing individual development, and political, social, and economic constructs categorizing society.

Unit 47: Contemporary
Sociological Issues

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1) Investigation of construction of social structures in society and their relationship with
agency.....................................................................................................................................1
P2) Illustration of tensions between structure and agency.....................................................3
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................4
P3) Key factors that influence the development of individuals in society, including key
theories of socialisation..........................................................................................................4
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................5
P4) Political, social and economic constructs used to categorise society..............................5
P5) Reviewing how current trends in societal change might shape social expectations........7
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................8
P6) Range of contemporary issues in society and their impact upon public service.............8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The Contemporary Sociological Issues mainly consists of those factors and issues that
represent the undesirable conditions and worst scenario that is opposed by whole society or a
specific part of society that is affecting their life of operations in a negative way. The main
examples and issues of Contemporary Sociological Issues consists of National identity problem,
Corruption among influential branch, in equality between wealthy and poor, racial discrimination
and many other social issues (Spinardi, Bisby and Torero, 2017). The current assignment is
based on Crown Commercial Service which is an executive agency and trading fund of the
Cabinet Office of the UK Government. This public service orgnisation is mainly responsible for
managing the procurement of goods and services along with increasing savings for the taxpayer
through centralising buying requirements and leading effective on procurement policy on the
behalf of the government.
The current assignment consist of investigation about the construction of social structures in
society and their relationship with agency along with key influences on the construction of social
structures. Beside this, discussion about the Key factors that influence the development of
individuals in society, including key theories of socialisation is also there along with political,
social and economic constructs that are used to categorise society. At last, Review of current
trends in societal change with reference to cultural values and beliefs in society and
contemporary issues in society and their impact on public services is also forms a part of this
assignment.
LO 1
P1) Investigation of construction of social structures in society and their relationship with agency
Structure refers to the recurrent arrangements, which are effectively patterned and have an
impact on the opportunities and choices within a society in a positive and negative manner. On
the other hand, Agency refers to the individual capacity in order to act effectively without any
interdependence towards making free choices.
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It is imperative to evaluate and investigate the construction of social structures and the
relationship of the same with agency as this would be providing an effective insight within the
societal operations effectively (Beckford, 2019).
Firstly it is imperative to dive into the long standing debate of structure vs. agency, which
is by far one of the biggest unresolved elements into the social construction of the society. This
could be very well understood and analysed as an issue associated with socialisation as a factor,
acting against elements like autonomy, towards identifying whether a person functions as free
agent or in control of the social structure.
There have been various theories and key thinkers who have contributed towards this
debate and have tried to develop a prominent relationship between the structure and agency. For
example, the modern social theorists who have had their theories around 1990s provide a balance
between both these positions. For instance, according to their theories, agency, as well as
structure is quite complimentary to one another. As an example, human behaviour is influenced
by structure and individuals are very much capable towards bringing positive changes in social
structures which they are abide by.
Structuration is one such theory which could help in better understanding the above
perspectives of key thinkers on agency and structure. This theory is directed towards avoidance
of extremes of agent or structural identification. Moreover, the agency and structure must be
balanced as per this theory which also has been referred to duality of structure. Hence, this
theory makes an attempt towards reproduction of social system dependent upon the analysis of
agents and structures, without providing primal treatment to any of these factors.
Therefore, based on this theory and above discussions, it could be claimed that the
structure and agency could be very well be complimentary, depending upon the access to power
and autonomy of decision making provided to an individual. Hence, in terms of construction of
social structures in relation to society, capabilities within humans are determinant factor towards
the relationship of these structures with agency. Therefore, in order to analyse the same in an
effective manner, it is imperative that an effective approach in future is adopted that is free of
certain constraints and orders that refrains individual acts and choices. Moreover, a well an
effective construction of social structure depends heavily on the society, along with the power
and autonomy which is shared by its individuals.
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P2) Illustration of tensions between structure and agency
It is crucial to determine and illustrate the tensions between structure and agency which
would allow in ensuring that how several key influences determine the societal constructions and
their impact on both these elements. The influence and tensions could be well elaborated through
understanding and implementing the theory of socialisation (Williams, 2017)(Hirsch, 2018).
Socialisation refers to the procedure which individuals have to go through and which
requires them to inherit, along with disseminate various customs, ideologies, norms and so forth
in order to ensure effective participation in the society. In simple terms, it could be referred to
the means through which cultural and social continuity is acquired.
This element influences the individuals throughout their lives and is one of the most
contributing factors towards the tensions between structure and agencies. For instance, this
theory works towards influencing individuals since their infancy to be an active and functioning
member within the society. Moreover, it effectively takes into account social factors like race
and culture, which have an impact and influence over the construction of social structure, as
there are different and sometimes contradictory cultural norms and practice, which impact the
structures and their constructions in distinct manner. Therefore, these factors are determinants
upon the factors or Structure that would be operated within the society.
Hence, the tensions between structure and agency starts when there is a very high
dominance of socialisation towards controlling the actions of individuals, hence, taking back
their capacities towards acting independently and making their own personal choices. This
causes formation of social structure in a rather rigid manner with more dominance given to
culture and racial power rather than personal autonomy (Romanovskiy, 2016).
Considering an example with keeping race and ethnicity into account, when UK became a
part of European Union, the country saw a high level of migration of individuals who were from
different cultures and races. However, the policies and social and economic pressures required
them to adhere to the social norms within the UK, which presented a range of challenges for the
people, as well as within the overall country.
Another prominent example is somewhat similar. As UK is one of the nations with highest
social integrity, still people are quite effectively required to adhere to the social norms, values
and practices within the country, as that is how the society of the United Kingdom is formed.
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Therefore, the individual choices in many aspects are somewhat not provided to the people and
hence, this contributes between enhancing the debate between structure and agency.
LO 2
P3) Key factors that influence the development of individuals in society, including key theories
of socialisation
The development of an individuals in a society is based on various factors tat lead to the
way through which an individuals address or handle a given situation of prevailing
circumstances in society and influence by it in many manner (Factors Influencing Individual
Behaviour, 2020). The main factors that influence the development of an individuals in society
are evaluated as below:
Abilities- It basically represent the traits and main skills of an individual’s on which the
overall development and progress of individuals depends. It consists of intellectual abilities that
are mainly associated with the intelligence, verbal and analytical reasoning of a person and on
which the actual behaviours and development of an individuals in society depends that consist of
its communication and interaction level and way with other members of society (Grusky, 2019).
Race and culture- It basically represent the part or section of society to which an
individuals belongs as race represent the group of people who are sharing similar physical
features and defines the perceived traits of an individual along with customers and traditions
followed by a person that effectively affects development of a person in a society. Race and
culture have significant influence over attributing behaviour and stereotyping that lead to
different cultures, values and common protocols that lead influence over development and
creation of more comfortable culture and part of society.
Income or economical level- The another key factor that influence the development of
individuals in society consist of its income or earning level as it the main aspects on which the
habits and educational level and reach and assess to various viable opportunity for an individuals
in society depends (Delamont, 2017). Thus, income level or earning capability is also a vital
measure on which the development and overall growth of an individuals in a society depends.
Key theories of socialisation
A discussion about the Key theories of socialisation is provided below:
Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory
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As per the theory given by Sigmund Freud’s the personality or human behaviour is
basically the result of interactions of their main components parts of mind that consists of id, ego
and superego. Thus, this theory of socialisation basically puts emphasis on the role lead by
unconscious psychological conflicts in developing and shaping the personality and behaviour of
an individuals in society (Parsons, Maclaran and Chatzidakis, 2017). Out of these components
the Id basically represents the instinctive desires of an individual’s that are viewed as un-
socialised aspect of human nature thus, it is treated as obscure inaccessible part of personality of
an human. On the other side, ego represent the acting individuals and mainly serves as mediator
between desires and action representing the urges of the id when necessary. Further, superego
represents the socials ideals like traditions, norms, values and moral of an individuals that
represents internalised parental and social authority of a person on which the their behaviour and
attitude towards society depends.
Cooley’s theory of the ‘looking-glass self
This theory of socialisation was developed by American sociologist Charles Horton
Cooley who develop a work on human nature and social order. It describes how oneself imagines
how others view him/her for example would be one's mother would view their child as flawless,
while another person could have a different thinking for this. Use of a three step theory is amble
by Cooley while developing this theory of socialisation using the looking glass self, the first step
of which consist of how one image one looks to other people and step two co its of judgements
pas out by others based on how one thinks about the way they view on them. And the last step of
this theory consists of how one thinks of how the person views them based on their previous
judgments (Sica, 2019).
LO 3
P4) Political, social and economic constructs used to categorise society.
There are various political, social and economic constructs that had categories society
into various forms some of these contracts and categories of society are provided below:
On the basis of social and economical class- It is first and foremost construct on the
basis of which society is categorised into lower class, middle class and upper class group of
people. On the basis of economic constructs it has social class is categorised as lower class
society are mainly poor people, middles class society are likely to have stable income where as
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upper class society consist of rich and elite people (Jupp, 2016). Furthers, with respect to
political constructs it has been evaluated that more donation and subsidies and client polices are
made by political parties and government to support lower class society and poor people. The
middle class society are basically the one who enjoy little subsidiaries but also needs to pay taxes
for meeting expenses of government. At last the, rich or upper section of society consists of those
individuals who are high tax payer and ensures balance of foreign reserve through leading
operations at global level thus, they are affected by the trade policies and other international
regulations set by the political parties and government of a nation.
On the basis of race and ethnicity- The race and ethnicity basically consist of physical
characteristics, such as bone structure and skin, hair, or eye colour while ethnicity is associated
with cultural factors, including nationality, regional culture, ancestry, and language (McCombs,
2017). Political, social and economic constructs forms a vital part in dividing society on the basis
of these aspects as the UK is divided among American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian Black or
African American, Hispanic or Latino, native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and the White.
It could be evaluated that the Alaska Native are the persons who originally belongs North and
South America and have tribal affiliation or community attachment thus need much more
attention from political parties and government. On contrary the Black or African American
having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa and termed as "Haitian" or "Negro"
who mainly faces the issues of racial discrimination and biasness from society and economical
aspects where as on the other hand white peoples are considered more rich and respectful as per
the political and social constructs (Farrell and Yi, 2019).
On the basis of gender and sexuality- It is also a vital aspect on the basis of which
society is divided which mainly consist of male and females on the basis of gender and their
sexuality. It has been evaluated the society of UK is mainly Male dominate in both social and
economical constructs as large number of jobs and business are being operates by Male. Further,
political parties makes several policies and strategies for betterment of females. In same
perspective social constructs and economical factors also aim at providing more advantages to
females to reduce this gender gap that exits in society of UK (Singleton, 2016).
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P5) Reviewing how current trends in societal change might shape social expectations
Societal change refers to one of the most effective and essential elements within the study
and practice of social structures, and refers to the change in the values, norms and belief systems
within the society, that has a prominent impact over various public services.
Currently, UK is one of the prime locations which have been witnessing social change
recently. The reason for the same is diversity in the culture which the UK pertains. The social
expectations, particularly one based on caste and race have been witnessing major changes in
recent times with a prominent and effective implication over the workings of public
organisations. For instance, quite recently the educational sector of the country, especially
Oxford University has developed a major degree course within the nation related to Social
Change, which is focused upon wealth and environmental inequalities. This has embarked a new
trend of social inclusion and welfare within the country and amplified its application across the
nation. Moreover, the implication of the same has been majorly on the individuals coming from
deprived or socially excluded environments, who have been provided an opportunity by the
course and overall facilitation trend within the country to set up a prominent place within the
organisation.
In addition to this, there are various public services which could be highlighted to ensure
how social changes have shaped social expectations. The first example would be related to
healthcare, which is a very crucial and effective public service. Within the same, the provisions
related to equality and accessibility towards the services have enhanced, which have ensured
effective inclusion of a range of appropriate and effective services. Moreover, there is a range of
appropriate and effective communities and supportive services in health and social care, which
are completely focused upon supporting the health and wellbeing needs of these individuals and
mixing them up with the majority part of the society (Barton, 2018).
Another prominent example would be related to Crown Commercial Service. A real life
example in relation to this public service is that quite recently, in 2017, the organisation made a
policy related to social value. Within this, the organisation clearly and effectively highlighted
how more measures and effective targets would be set through which the service would
contribute more towards the public sector bodies and would be helping them to deliver better and
additional benefits to the society. The policy is in alignment with the Public Services Act 2012,
which ensures appropriate adherence to generation of social value.
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Therefore, while there are various appropriate and effective public service organisations,
the overall trend related to social inclusion and equality has its way beyond in the future, which
requires these organisations to change the way of their working and ensure better equality and
opportunities to those who are deprived of the same. Furthermore, the social expectations of the
individuals have effectively shaped up with the changes in social trends and values currently
prevalent in the United Kingdom.
LO 4
P6) Range of contemporary issues in society and their impact upon public service.
The main contemporary issues that are currently faced by the society of UK are discussed
below along with its impact on public services:
Anti social behaviour and hate- The biggest threat that is faced by society of UK consist
of Anti social behaviour that lead to Cybercrime, hate crime and bullying all featured heavily in
society of UK. Especially after the Brexit issues the level of violence and crime frontier has
enhanced that is showing that among the perceived doom and gloom there is an appetite for
shared action and purpose (A look at the biggest social issues facing the UK, 2020). This, Anti
social behaviour and hate has impacted the operations and working of Crown Commercial
Service adversely as it reduce the amount of tax and number of taxpayer along with enhanced
expenses of government to control this hate and violence lead by people of society. Further, the
Brexit issues has lead to negative impact on international trade and commerce that aging
affecting the working and operations of Crown Commercial Service through affecting goods and
services and procurement policy of the government (Dillon, 2020).
Racial discrimination- The another contemporary issues exists in society of UK consist
of racial discrimination that lead to feeling of stress and tension in society that effects the
performance and communication level of whole nation. It also creates negative impacts on
Mental health and behaviours of individuals through leading stress and depression in society that
is also creating more suicidal cases. It lead to negative impacts on operations of Crown
Commercial Service as discrimination is an aspects that adversely affects the morale of
individuals thus, also hampered the working efficiency and performance of employees of Crown
Commercial Service and created a negative impact on its operations and working (Evans, 2017).
Thus, it can be evaluated that racial discrimination lead to a feeling of stress and conflicts at
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workplace and within the operations that lead to negative impacts and hinder the overall
functions and operations of Crown Commercial Service.
Political Corruption- High level of dishonesty and incidence of bribery are also increasing
in the society of UK along with high level of political corruption and inconsistency. Political
corruption is mainly associated with the high level of abuse of public power along with fraud and
alerted office activities, or resources mainly by elected government officials for having some
personal gain, through the means of extortion, soliciting or offering bribes (Roberto and Li,
2016). Political corruption also consist of a form of office holders who are maintaining
themselves in office through purchasing votes by enacting laws which mainly includes wrong
use money of taxpayers. In context of Crown Commercial Service it has been evaluated that high
level of Political Corruption lead to misuse use of money of taxpayer in trade of votes at the time
of election. Further, corruption and increased cases of bribery has hammered the credibility and
authenticity of public services orgnisation like Crown Commercial Service among people and
also motivates and direct society among these inappropriate work culture that is a big reason of
downfall of society and public service organisation (Cotterrell, 2017).
CONCLUSION
It has been evaluated from current assignment that construction of social structures in
society is having a vital relationship with agency along with summarising of the fact that the
tensions between structure and agency that lead to key influences on the construction of social
structures. Further, it has been find out through current investigation that Abilities, Race and
culture and Income or economical level are the key factors that shape de elopement on
individuals in the society. Beside this it has been also evaluated that political, social and
economic constructs can be used to categorise society on the basis of social class, race and
ethnicity and gender of individuals. Finally, it can be summarised that many contemporary issues
like Anti social behaviour and hate, Racial discrimination and Political Corruption is faced by
society of UK. At last it has been find out that, high level of political corruption in a nation lead
to negative impact on the operation of public service organisation through hampering efficiency
and transparency of work.
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