社会問題の社会学の構築をめざして

抄録

　This paper discusses transition of definitions and analytical perspectives of social problems which have been suggested on behalf of studies on sociology of social problems. Especially, transition to an approach which follows subjective nature of social problems is examined and stressed here.
　First, theoretical studies on social problems both in Japan and the U.S. are critically reviewed. Studies from the points of social pathology, Marxism, value conflict, functionalism view a social problem as "an objective social condition" and try to explain its cause, though they are different in their approaches. Second, difficulties of those studies on "objective condition" are discussed along the line with what Blumer(1971) and Specter & Kitsuse(1977) pointed out. Objectivists are likely to explain some specific condition depending on social bases such as social norm, but they fail to explain what makes it possible to recognize social problems and what they have in common.
　An altenative perspective called "constructionist" approach has emerged. According to the constructionists, a social problem cannot exist as an "objective condition" but needs subjective diffinition by people who claim something must be done against a putative condition. They see a social problem as a process, following a claim-making activity, and its rhetoric is examined. The significance of this perspective is that it enables us to clarify what construct a social problem and how it gets public attention. It is especially effective when minorities make claims and have them developed. Finally, a possibility of analysis of social problems in Japan is suggested.
　Claim-makers' viewpoint, their activity, process to gain public attention and its direction must be analyzed with taking into account various resources related to social problems.