The current society is plagued by many social problems. In fact, experts argue that the current generation is the most socially challenged in the history of humanity. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this is issue is the social problems faced across the world’s nations are significantly similar. The social problems faced by the world have been attributed to several factors. However, one factor stands out and can thus be said to be most dominant cause. This factor is unemployment. Unemployment is indeed the cause of many social problems in the society. This paper aims to support this thesis by exploring some of the major social problems in the society, particularly in our home country of Nevis and how unemployment is to blame for these problems. The first social problem caused by unemployment is family breakages. The second problem is social evils such as crime, drug addiction and alcoholism. The final problem is the intergenerational effects on future generations that unemployment brings about, for instance illiteracy and future unemployment due to lack of education.
Unemployment is responsible for many family breakages and in fact, statistics show that unemployed workers families face a larger risk of breaking up than families whose members are employed (Leon-Guerrero, 34). Here in Nevis, the rate of underemployment has been steadily rising and perhaps not surprising; the rate of divorces and family separations has also been on the rise (Odekon, 204). Family breakage usually occurs when the breadwinner of the family becomes unemployed and is therefore no longer able to play the financial provider role. Jobless spouses, especially the men may become discontented with their idle life and marriage and may result in spousal abuse. In consequence, the unemployed family therefore leads quite an unhappy life and is prone to breaking up.
Unemployment is also to blame for the social evils that currently plague the society including theft, armed robberies, smuggling amongst others (Leon-Guerrero, 42). When individuals do not have a stable source of income due to unemployment, they are most likely to result to unconventional means of acquiring a living. The unconventional means are in many instances illegal. In Nevis, research has shown that there is a direct correlation between unemployment and theft and robbery cases. As mentioned earlier, unemployment levels have been on the rise in recent years and likewise, there has been increases in the number of housebreak ins and robberies (Odekon, 217). In light of this, unemployment can be credited as the cause of one of the major social problem facing the society currently, and this is crime. Apart from crime, unemployed individuals due to idleness and due to the fact they are at most times in a sour mood can easily get into other social evils such as alcoholism and drug addiction. Therefore, the higher the levels of unemployment in a society, the higher the number of social evils (Odekon, 113).
Unemployment brings about several negative intergenerational effects to the society. This is especially on the children from unemployed families. For instance, joblessness means that parents are unable to fund their children’s education. In simple terms, parents are unable to satisfy the life demands of their children (Leon-Guerrero, 34). For instance, lack of proper education leads to a rise in illiteracy levels. In addition, the children who lack education do not meet the society’s requirements and consequently, they may end up suffering from unemployment like their parents leading to more social problems in the society. One way the Nevis administration can help to solve this particular problem is by making education free for every child.
In conclusion, it is clear that unemployment is the cause of many social problems in the society. From family breakages, crime, drug addiction amongst others, unemployment definitely plays a significant role. It has also been seen how unemployment can cause intergenerational effects and how it can be transmitted from one generation to another. Immediate efforts should be taken by the government to ensure that this negative virtue is reduced in the society and in doing this; the number of social problems will decrease.
Works Cited
Leon-Guerrero, Anna. Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press, 2005. Print.
Odekon, Mehmet. Encyclopedia of World Poverty. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications, 2006. Print.
