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social issue

social issue

51 3.4
A problem that affects many people in a society
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊʃəl ˈɪʃu/
translation icon : problema social
  • Obviously there are heavy social issues here, serious issues about privacy, security.
  • address social issues
  • deal with social issues
  • economic and social issues

We're seeing like all these social issues because of social media.

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Examples

  • Although eleven students developed a stronger concern for social issues, only a few students developed a general commitment to service.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Can you think of a creative/media project on a social issue that changed your life?

    Blog text (4)
  • We're seeing like all these social issues because of social media.

  • However, there are some social issues that I would still stick to.

  • American Studies materials, including books on current social issues and popular culture, have also been included.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Using critical literacy practices, students are often able to make sense of important social issues and historical events.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In every film we try to confront a major, important social issue of the day.

  • Class has become more decisive than religion in determining attitudes toward most social issues.

    Academic text (1992)
  • We illustrate how teachers use language purposefully to support students' understanding of critical social issues.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Housing has been recognized as a significant social issue in the county, impacting many families.

Synonyms

hot-button issue
vssocial issue
14 4.7

An issue that makes people feel very strongly and leads to angry debate

is opposed by many people but not necessarily emotionally charged
public concern
vssocial issue
5 3.2

A matter that affects many people in a community

is opposed by a considerable number of people rather than just being widely important

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

146 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Serious

crisis
3.1
social issue
51 3.4
problem
1.2
concern
906 1.7

Surface Forms

social issue singular
social issues plural

Morphology

social + issue

The meaning 'a problem affecting society' is directly and compositionally derived from 'social' (relating to society) combined with 'issue' (a problem or subject). This straightforward noun–noun/adjunct composition is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The noun social issue comes from a simple image of a town noticeboard where people pin a problem that affects many. Here social means 'about people in the community' and issue means 'a problem or topic raised', so the phrase means 'a problem many people care about'.