Description of Facts
Facts outlined in this article relates to hunger in America. The writer is attempting to establish the underlying issues of hunger facing society with respect to it being evidence of a social problem. It was emphasized that at first the phenomenon seemed to have emerged in response to the great depression events. However, since then there have been persistence and increases in hunger among the poor in the country. Essentially, the paradox of lack amidst plenty drew the attention of authorities, which designed many programs to address the problem. Subsequently, emergency food sources evolved in an effort either to reduce hunger or stop it entirely. These included food banks, pantries and soup kitchen.
The questions that authorities still cannot find answers for are since after the depression why is hunger still prevalent in the society. It could then be that while it is a social problem how could social planners eliminate this menace. It would seem from the article that food banks, pantries and soup kitchens are not the solution to this problem. It was highlighted that the problem of food security in terms of being able to access reliable food affordability affects every one in seven households severely. There is no guarantee of eating three meals a day with the current economic situation. The truth is that there is no lack of food production, but rather the ability for people to purchase food to meet daily family requirements (Hunger and Food Security, n.d.).
Examination according to Rational- decision making model
Rational decision making relates to how the imitators utilized features of:
Establishing criteria for resolving the problem, which seemed to be including farmers as resources in relieving hunger.
Thorough system analysis was not conducted and is evident in the increased hunger in society. A better way of addressing this was conducting a task force evaluation into the reasons for persistent hunger and food insecurity
A solution was, however, selected, which brought temporary relief as in an emergency crisis.
No profound alternative solutions to the initial one was advanced even though it was obvious that people found no food security solutions. A better resolution seeking collaboration with human resource development for networking solutions.
Examination according to Design Thinking Model
These features encompass: -
Empathizing, which can be identified by including farmers in the program whereby they were considered a food security resource for the hungry.
The problem was defined from a short term perspective.
The ideation related to utilizing food banks, pantries and soup kitchens
The prototype can be viewed as the ultimate outcome of Federal food assistant programs based on household income
These programs are continually evaluated by the department of human services for efficacy
Articulate learning
My learning from this article regarding approaches that have been made initially towards resolving the problem is that authorities seemed to be focusing on the producers of food, farmers, rather that the people who are affected by food insecurity. This seemed to be the failure of foodbanks, pantry and soup kitchen programs. The phycology of people receiving aid from government programs is that they want it to continue because it is free. Therefore, once food banks, pantries and soup kitchens are opened people will always go to receive free food. Food security in my opinion is more threatened because some food banks and panties do not always offer food of the high nutritional value. As such another phase of food security emerges in the society. A cycle of social problems manifests as disease, increased healthcare costs and a society where majority of people enjoy less than average health
References
Hunger and Food Security (n.d). Retrieved on March 13th, 2016 from :
http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/teaching-the-food-
system/curriculum/_pdf/Hunger_and_Food_Security-Background.pdf
