As was mentioned in class, one suspects that it helps to legitimate social problems by framing them in ways that are consonant with what the dominant culture, prevailing ideologies, and the interests of the powerful . The mass media have become critical for this stage. Social problems are the result of public relations . Formulation of proposed responses follows. Here social movements often have to act more like interest groups and again as in legitimation qualify what they want done so as to accommodate other powerful actors, groups and instititutions, as when social reformers end up pushing for incremental reforms even when more dramatic social policy changes might be required to abolish poverty, end homelessnes, support families, empower the disabled, support the mentally ill, etc.
Implementation is the last stage.
This stage is like peace in the Middle East. Agreeing is one thing, actually carrying it out is another. Numerous roadblocks, obstacles, instances of foot-dragging, etc., can bog down the implementation of a solution, giving rise over time to even new definitions of the problem. We noted how there has been a process of collective definition, that got people to recognize the problem irrespective of the facts, how that particular form of recognition got legitimated as appropriate with social standards, how people were mobilized to support action against this version of the problem, how public policies were formulated to address this stylized version of the problem and how implementation of treatment programs, welfare reform, abstienence education services, etc., have gone forward on this shaky but persistent foundation. Blumer's five steps imply a linear movement from one to the next.