Nobody we know wishes to become a substance abuser or a poor person. Most of us want to be cool, lucky, rich, and successful. Some of us are, luckily, but many of us are not. A part of our success and failure is associated with what we are given biologically in terms of intelligence and good health. The other part of it is related to the social problems of Pakistan.
From the moment Pakistan came into being, we have faced many issues in the shape of poverty, unemployment, crime, low status of women, child marriage, rape, and gender inequality. These are the social problems of Pakistan that, if solved, can make life more comfortable and society more productive in some manner.
A social problem is an issue that prevents society from functioning at an optimal level. Understanding that not all events in society can be considered social problems is essential. A problem is considered a social problem when:
- The public recognizes the situation as a problem.
- The situation is against all those values which are accepted by society.
- A large number of the population recognizes the issue as a valid concern.
- The problem can be alleviated through joint action of community resources or citizens.
Health Sector
Health care availability is one of the major social problems of Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan is ranked 122 out of 190 countries regarding healthcare. And if we look at infant mortality, Pakistan stands third-highest ranked country in the world.
Even after decades of Pakistan’s existence, there is no equal distribution of resources and wealth. Many of us still suffer from emotional and physical issues, but no proper healthcare system exists. The stigma surrounding mental illness persists. There are still many children suffering from malnutrition because of widespread poverty. Many patients with an emergency condition only visit a physician when they get a violent and nervous breakdown.
Due to a large number of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan, it is clear that the healthcare system of Pakistan is still struggling. Thousands of new instances of COVID-19 arrive every day, putting Pakistan’s healthcare system under tremendous strain.
Illiteracy
According to a survey, Pakistan has a 60 percent literacy rate which means that 40% of the population is illiterate. People in rural regions are uneducated because they are focused on earning a living rather than attending school. Therefore, advancement in our country is relatively slow. Because of illiteracy, crime rates are high in our culture.
Crime As A Social Problem
There is a very deep connection between crime and illiteracy. In countries with fewer literacy rates, the crime rate is at a peak, and in the countries with good literacy rates, the crime rate is lower. Education makes a person civilized, and also aware of their right or wrong. But due to illiteracy, unemployment increased, which forced the people to get money from unfair means. The increasing crime rate is one of those social problems of Pakistan which are associated with unemployment, inflation, and poverty that are directly or indirectly linked to illiteracy.
Poor Law Enforcement
In Pakistan, the situation of law enforcement agencies is miserable. Like if we talk about the police, they lack professionalism. They don’t have proper training on managing a case or even how to investigate it properly. In the police department, the bribe is common. Most of the issues are pending even not reported by our police department. There are several events in which our law and enforcement agencies are failed to control the situation or protests.
Social Problems Of Women In Pakistan
Some of the leading causes of social problems of women in Pakistan are:
Gender Discrimination
Gender inequality in Pakistan, and its influence on malnutrition, begins at the time of childbirth. Despite significant shifts in beliefs, a girl’s birth is still not celebrated today. There is a difference in attention paid to women and men. Several taboos prevent females from routinely eating nutrient-dense foods like meat and eggs when it comes to girls’ diets. This is associated with the girls reaching puberty early, and many parents believe that it would be harder to protect their daughters from sexual harassment and males after puberty.
The main social problem of Pakistan is that girls are typically seen as somebody’s possession, whereas males are seen as an asset to their parents’ well-being as they mature. As a result, boys are well-fed, well-educated, and given high priority. A woman is usually the last one to eat in most homes, and she may not even get enough food to fill her stomach in some cases, especially in poorer households.
It is undisputed that men enjoy unfair advantages over women in certain circumstances. Many private and government institutions have unofficial policies regarding hiring women since it is widely believed that they will either get married and quit or take maternity leave days. As a result of this discrimination, women are deprived of many opportunities that place them at the bottom.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is one of the current social problems in Pakistan. A working woman is often considered to be “public property” and exploited. In Pakistan, unhealthful and unsafe environments are widespread, encouraging men to view fragile women as an easy target.
Read the diary of a rape survivor here.
Finding A Work-Life Balance
Being from Pakistan and having a desi background means that the first thing your family expects of you is that you take care of household chores and the responsibilities your elders have entrusted to you. If you want to be an independent working woman, you will find yourself living a double life of a cook at home and a professional worker in the office.
Education And Marriage
So many parents ask why their daughter wants a higher degree when she is at the perfect age for marriage. Marriage is the only and ultimate destination for any Pakistani lady. Be it death threats from her brother or physical abuse from her parents, the majority of Pakistani girls are likely to be compelled to give up their dreams of getting an education overseas or in their nation in favor of marrying older men.
Husband’s Insecurities
It’s likely that if you’ve been lucky enough to continue work after you get married, you’ll have to deal with your husband’s ego and obscure anxieties regularly. As a general rule, men in Pakistan think that they should be the sole breadwinners in their families. When you deal with male coworkers, they may perceive your successes as a threat.
Log Kya Kahain Gai?
Compared to any other reason or claim, this one has damaged the lives of most women more than any other. Whether you work or stay at home, there is always the fear of ‘log kya kahain gai’ and how people see you via their judgments. Assuming you neglect your home, family, and children, they will probably give you dirty or insulting labels for working or doing anything for yourself.
Rape And Honor Killing
Rape and honor killing is one of those social issues in Pakistan that many people choose to ignore. Rape culture is wrong, yet in Pakistan, it is justified. It is explained with an excuse that Islam encourages modesty and assigns males the responsibility of safeguarding weaker women. In addition, the most harmful of all excuses, established norms, is used to justify it. And the tribal jirgas, which are the backbone of Pakistan’s rural power structure, function as the opposite of state law, making unsympathetic judgments about women and favoring these terrible acts.
Social Problems In Family
In Pakistani families, some of the common social problem examples are:
Child Marriage As A Social Problem
Child marriage is one of the social problems in Pakistan. As soon as a woman marries, she becomes an adult and is held to a higher standard of maturity and responsibility. It seems unfair to make her accountable for someone else’s care while she is at the most vulnerable stage of her life. Sexual activity puts a burden on these young brides since they are unprepared physically and emotionally. Early marriage can have a negative impact on the personal and social development of a girl. Besides this, it affects a child’s mental and emotional health as well.
On the other hand, male children who are married at a young age are also under financial stress, interfering with their education and training. While both boys and girls are married off at a young age, the number of girls who fall prey to this practice is significantly higher. According to research, twenty-one percent of Pakistani females marry before the age of 18, while 3 percent marry before 15. The number of child brides in Pakistan is the sixth highest in the world.
Traditional Dowry
None of the parents want to give their daughter anything, but when the bride’s parents start expecting dowry at the time of marriage, this “something” takes on a whole new dimension. You may be asked to provide expensive jewelry, a large sum of money, or even an expensive automobile. It doesn’t matter to the wealthy, but those who can’t afford it have to deal with many issues. As a result of poverty, some females remain unmarried, while others go to extreme means such as suicide out of frustration. There are more dowry deaths in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world.
Caste System
There are an estimated 260 million individuals in the globe who are affected by caste prejudice, with the great majority of them living in South Asia. These rights are being violated in large numbers daily. People are divided into unequal and hierarchical social groupings based on caste which is one of the prevalent social problems of Pakistan.
Social Problems Of Youth In Pakistan
Pakistan’s youth is also a victim of many problems. Social problems of teens in Pakistan include:
Unemployment
Unemployment is one of the current social problems of Pakistan, especially for the youth. When they have finished their schooling, they cannot find a position where they may put their abilities to serve their nation. The inability of the government to properly employ youth is the cause of this. Deteriorating economic conditions also cause reduced investment and fewer job possibilities. In addition to being a multi-faceted and complex issue, unemployment may lead to many other types of social problems, such as young engagement in radical politics, bank and home burglaries, social insecurity, and drug usage.
Child Labor
Pakistan has a long history of being known as one of the worst ones for child labor which is considered a violation of human rights by the United Nations. A poor child is regarded as an earning hand of the families in Pakistan which deprive the child of primary education. Since the future and success of every country rely on a well-educated and well-informed young, child labor is a significant social issue in Pakistan.
Drug Addiction
Some young people who find themselves in a bad position have no other option than to turn to drugs for relief. The usage of drugs by our kids is on the rise. They believe that is the cheapest way to alleviate their suffering. Nevertheless, they are unaware that this practice is wasting their valuable skills and bringing them to the edge of death.
Depression and Suicide
Our young, the saddest of all, are committing suicide as a result of their disappointment. They waste their lives because they don’t realize what their worth is. Major causes of this social problem include drug use, poverty, unemployment, and failure in life.
Learn how to control social anxiety here.
Ways To Prevent Social Problems
The social problems of Pakistan can be solved by:
- Eradicating poverty through education, skill development, and job opportunities in society.
- Maintaining law and order situation in the country.
- Various awareness programs such as street drama, procession, and advertisements of tobacco and alcohol on media should be banned to solve the social problems.
Social problems are as old as human history. If you too are victimized, do not wait for more. Consult a Psychologist as soon as possible. Depending upon your condition, your therapist might refer you to a Psychiatrist, take your mental health seriously and get yourself treated at the earliest via Marham.pk.
FAQs
1- Why is teenage pregnancy a social problem?
Teenage pregnancy is among the social problems of Pakistan because besides posing a health risk to the mother and baby, it continues the poverty cycle, including early school dropout by pregnant teenagers.
2- How can a school help abolish social problems?
As today’s students are tomorrow’s society, teaching starts from school makes a moral society.
3 – Is mental health a social problem?
Well, mental health itself is not a major social problem. It results from many of the social issues that individuals have to face.
4- Why is it important to study social problems?
To change society for the better, it is essential to study social problems.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top Psychiatrist in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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