1. Identify a social problem. Explain the criteria you used to define this as a social problem—how do you know it is a social problem, not private issue. What are the values laden in the definition of this social problem?
2. Using an ecological framework, offer explanations about why and how come this problem exists. Be thorough. Particular emphasis should be placed on issues of discrimination, oppression, marginalization of diverse groups such as people of color, low socio-economic status or class, migrant workers, etc. In doing this, make sure that you don’t oversimplify the problems—an ecological perspective explains social problems by integrating all levels in the framework. This is not simply descriptive, you must offer explanations on Why? How come? Why not? In what ways?
3. Discuss the concept of “worthy and “unworthy” as related to the general public, availability of services, cost/benefits, etc. Who defines who is worthy or unworthy? What criteria have you identified to determine worthiness? For example, how do you know that a group is considered “worthy” or “unworthy?” (Social workers do not consider any human being “unworthy,” nonetheless we don’t meet the needs of groups of individuals. Given this, how are these groups considered “worthy?”)