FORM TWO CIVICS, TOPIC NO: 1: PROMOTION OF LIFE SKILLS.

Introduction

Life skills are the mental abilities which enable a person to have self control. Through these skills, a person is able to act, think or behave in an acceptable manner in the community. Some of the life skills include: negotiation skills, relationship skills, self-awareness skills and decision-making skills. Life skills as a discipline, refers to the study that provide knowledge and skills which enable people to cope with the day to day socio-economic affairs in the ever changing world.

Social problems.

Problems is something that is difficult to deal with or to understand. Social problem are difficult that affect a community such as;

• Violence
• Drug abuse
• Conflicts
• HIV/AIDS
• Poverty
•   In adequate health care
•  Corruption
• Poor housing
• In adequate clean and safe water.

Social problems solving techniques

These are the way that a person or community deals with a difficult solution. They involve analyzing a problem to determine the best way of reading or ending it. They are related to decision-making because they require making a choice and act on it.

Steps in the problem solving process.

Problems solving is usually done in steps at a time. These steps are;

1. Initiating mediation


Mediation is one of the processes used in problem solving. In this process, two parties are reconciled by athird party. The letter is referred to as the mediator. The mediator assists people involved in a conflict to negotiate and come up to a mutual agreement. We say mediation is effective if the conflicting parties become friendly at the end of reconciliation. Its a failure if the parties continue with their conflict after the conciliation process. Initiating mediation is technically called problem identification in research procedures. This is because initiating mediation prepares good ground for proper understanding of the problem. Through mediation, factors that cause conflict are put to light as people involved in the conflict are asked about the sources of their disputes.


2. Gathering information 


In order to solve any problem there should enough information collected about the problem at hand. It is through information gathering that important data can be obtained. It is important to collect data about the existing problem in order to understand what actually causes the problem. For example if one wants to solve the problem about malaria in a particular area, there is the need to have enough information about its causes. Likewise, a doctor can cure a disease after doing through investigation about it. Information gathering has, for years, been used in establishing different projects. Project developers have to collect facts or prior information about the area in which they want to conduct their projects.


Ways of gathering information


Information is gathered using different techniques. The techniques are determined by the nature of the problem that needs solution. The following are among of the tools/techniques employed in information gathering:

• Observation: It is physically done by examining the situation which surrounds the problem. In this tool, a person uses his/her eyes to look at the incident and any available records. There are problems which can be easily solved after being observed. For example if one wants to control the spread of malaria at place, he/she will be required to observe factors that are likely to speed up the spread of the disease.
• Questionnaire: It is an instrument that has a series of question whereby each one provides a number of alternative answer from which the respondent can choose. The questions are normally written on a prepared sheet of paper. The questions are given to the targeted people who are required to respond accordingly. Through these answers, the researcher can analyse the data and finally draw a conclusion about the problem stated. 
• Interview: An interview refers to a verbal interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee [respondent]. An interview is usually designed to collect information and people opinions and feelings on the problem. A conclusion is made and suggestions are given. Interviews are the most effective tools compared to other tools. For example, there is a room for making an additional clarification. Interview is inclusive as it can be used by both literate and illiterate people.
• Reading different books and other materials related to the problem: Sometimes answers to the problems can be found in books, journals and other written material which provide the necessary data needed by the researcher. These data are known as secondary data. By reading previous studies the problem seeker can see how other people tried to get the related problems. Materials should be of recent and related to the problem investigated. In that way the problem seeker is able to spell out the problem clearly.
• Mass media by means of audio and audio-vision materials (i.e. documentary review): Radio, television, newspaper and magazine are good examples of mass media. Through different programs we can get a lot of information related to the problem whether directly or indirectly. Also different ways of solving problem can be learnt from the radio and television. Eventually, the problem seeker develops strategies of solving the problem.
• Scientific experiments: Experiments of this kind are used by mostly specialists of different disciplines. The aim of using scientific experiment is to find out all important facts about the problem that need solution. Through scientific experiments much information can be gathered and recognised by the specialist to deal with the problem.

3. Defining the problem
After gathering the information, one can state the problem. One can easily tell the factors which cause the problem to be solved. A person can precisely make a statement about the problem in a particular area with the aid of the collected information. For instance, the researcher can generalize that poor academic performance is mainly caused by truancy. Normally the definition or statement of the problem has to be precise. Stating the problem is sometimes a hard thing to do, especially if one has no supporting facts. Otherwise, with supporting facts it is a simple exercise.


4. Generating alternatives


The aim of collecting information about the problem is to find possible answers to the underlying problem. Normally, the information gathered provides a general picture about possible causes of a particular problem. For example, the outbreak of cholera can be attributed by the use of unclear or no-boiled water, lack of proper toilets and other agents which facilitate cholera transmission. Knowing the reason or factor for occurrence of the problem leads to the proper development of solutions. Taking the example of cholera above, boiling are water, constructing toilets, educating people on the use of toilets properly and proper waste disposal can be suggested as solutions to the problem, since the causes are known. As causes of problems vary, also alternatives for solving the problems depending on the nature of the problem to be solved will vary. Suggestions given to people suffering from malaria differ from those given to people who are subjected to poverty.


5. Agreeing in solution


In order for suggested solutions to be effective, there should be agreements. These agreements can involve what to do in order to avoid the re-occurrence of the same problem. For example poor academic performance which is mainly caused by absentees in school; the tendency of attending to school will ensure good, students will also be required to work hard and behave in a good manner. In order for these processes to be implemented effectively, there must be conducive school environment. Contrary to that, all those solutions may not succeed.

          6. Following through to see that the plan is carried outs. This is the stage of implementing and 
               testing  the solution to see if it works.

Applying problem solving technique in difficult facing society help to;

1. Bring a peace by solving conflict between tribesmen of the community.
2. Raise the living standard of the society, e.g. improving housing, health services etc.
3. Ensure fairly treatment of all members of the community.
4. Put stop to vices such as drug abuse, child labour and prostitution.
5. Protect the environment e.g. By recycling plastic containers instead of throwing them away or burning them.