C. Wright Mills's Theory Of Social Factors

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1. INTRODUCTION C.Wright Mills was one of the important and fundamental sociologists of all time. His work had a significant impact on society as a whole. He was committed to social change and was infuriated by the coercion and tranny of his environment (Smith 2009). C.Wright Mills (1916-1962) used the theory of social imagination to describe how people decide what affects them in their daily lives and to link the individual with society. The social imagination links the two poles of personal troubles and social issues together (ed. Stewart & Zaaiman 2014:xvi). Social Factors refers to elements within society which we experience collectively. Such as corruption, fraud, human trafficking, xenophobia, gender inequality, poverty and many more (ed. Steward & Zaaiman 2014: xvi). Social Factors change over time and are therefore not limited. One cannot be blamed for social factors as it is not a sole or personal trouble. Personal troubles are difficulties related to individuals. These problems one has to deal with personally. Personal troubles do not affect society directly but it can be linked to what’s happening in society (ed. Steward & Zaaiman 2014: xvi) In this piece of work we take a look at Human Trafficking as a broad social factor and at personal troubles such as fear and vulnerability in individuals concerning it. 2. HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS A SOCIAL FACTOR According to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking (2000:12) Human Trafficking is defined as: “The