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A social crisis becoming severe is termed a public issue in sociology, distinguished from personal troubles. Understanding this distinction is vital to address societal challenges effectively.
When a social crisis becomes particularly bad, it is called a public issue. This term, coined by C. Wright Mills in 1959, refers to problems in society that affect many individuals due to social structures and cultural factors. An example would be 50% of college students in a country never graduating, which is considered a public issue.
Public issues contrast with personal troubles, which are problems affecting individuals that are often blamed on personal failings. Understanding the distinction between personal troubles and public issues is essential in sociology to address societal challenges.
Sociological imagination enables individuals to appreciate the structural basis for their personal issues and see them as part of larger social problems.