This document outlines the objectives, videos, and activities for a Grade 9 Social Studies course focusing on contemporary social issues in Jamaica. It begins by defining key concepts like social problems, child abuse, and human trafficking. It then lists and describes common social issues in Jamaica such as poverty, crime, and teenage pregnancy. The document provides videos and discussion questions to examine the causes and effects of these issues. It also discusses human rights and children's rights. Finally, it describes how social issues are interrelated and can influence one another, and provides concept mapping and letter response activities for students to further analyze these complex topics.

1. 2019-2020 GRADE 9 SOCIAL STUDIES C. WILLIAMS
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL STUDIES In Jamaica
Objectives
1. Develop working definitions for the concepts: social problem, child abuse,
domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, human trafficking, poverty, crime,
teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection.
2. Discuss the causes of at least three social problems which affect the Jamaican
society
VIDEOS
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AegdywmDZ60– domestic violence
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps - Man in the mirror
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEMAKYQM1DM – human trafficking
What is a social problem/issue?
A social problem is an undesirable condition that people believe should be corrected.
It influences the society it is in and is usually opposed by citizens. Social issues are
everyday concerns where groups, the government and even individuals consider and
try to find solutions. The solutions require government policies, law, finances, human
resource and involvement of every citizen regardless of status and age.
EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS/ ISSUES
 alcohol and drug abuse
 gambling
 Racism
 inequality/ social class
 child abuse
 domestic violence
 juvenile delinquency
 human trafficking
 poverty
 crime

2. 2019-2020 GRADE 9 SOCIAL STUDIES C. WILLIAMS
 teenage pregnancy
 sexually transmitted infection
Activity
Examine the following social issues using your hand out. Discuss with a peer or in a
group of no more than 5, the possible causes and persons affected. Identify the
solutions to the issues.
Do you think one issue is worse than the other? Are the possible solutions working?
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights belong to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence,
sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all
equally entitled to human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated,
interdependent and indivisible.
Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of
treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of
international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments
to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts promote and protect human rights
and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10
December.
It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Activity
1) What are your rights as a child?
2) List at least 5 rights of children that is universal.
3) State 5 rights as a citizen
Interrelated Issues
 Problems in other regions and countries affect Jamaicans due to globalization.
Most issues are interrelated. One impacts the other.
 Poverty > illiteracy > teenage pregnancy >crime > conflict
 Juvenile delinquent > child abuse > crime> substance abuse
Activity :

3. 2019-2020 GRADE 9 SOCIAL STUDIES C. WILLIAMS
a) Concept Map
Draw a concept map of social issues and the effects on society.
b) Peer Advice
 As a peer counselor, you are allowed to answer letters from the student body in
the weekly youthlink. All letters are anonymous but they expect you to give
solutions to their problems.
 Read the following letters and identify the main social issue and suggest three
solutions to the social issues.
 Explain how all three suggestions can be successful.
 Total 40 marks
Dear Peer,
1) I am usually shy and have a difficult time talking to girls. My friend Nathan
carried me to a party and I had too much to drink but I could finally talk to the
ladies. I met a girl from a different parish and we had been texting everyday. She
asked me to visit her and we went to the river side where things got a little
heated. She called me recently to tell me she is pregnant and even sent me a
picture of the pregnancy kit. How do I tell her I am not ready to be anyone’s
dad? I think her father will kill me if she tells them and I know my mom will tell me
to go live with someone else. What can we do? I’m only 15 and I can’t get any
job in high school.
- A Worried baby Daddy
2) I use to attend your school and I know you give really good advice so I’m gonna
let you in on a secret. I am in a gang and to protect myself from other gangs, I
walk with a knife I made to school. Mr. Dementia, this excon or something
constantly encourages us to release our anger by stealing whatever we need for
us and for him. But last week, I got I used my knife. I watched and helped my
friends beat a man to death. He shouldn’t have touched my friend and when
she screamed we went to save her. Everyone took a hit at him but I placed the
knife in his stomach. Someone took a video and sent it to the police and now I
am in a different cell from my the boys. I’m afraid to be sent to prison for being a
violent act. Im only 16. How can they send me to prison for life? I need help.
# AngryandHungry
3) My Friends and I are often idle. We decided to make a video and a old
homeless man walked through the video. I got upset. I hit him. My friends also hit

4. 2019-2020 GRADE 9 SOCIAL STUDIES C. WILLIAMS
him. Now he is dead. Help me figure this out. I don’t want to go to prison but I am
over 18 years old and can be tried as an adult. If I go to the police, I am a snitch
and I was the one that convinced everyone to go to the park. If my dad finds
out, he will kill me then throw me out.
- Idle but Famous