What factors affect the formation of a person’s attitude towards social problems? In our society, contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society? How do you explain the existence of these contrasting attitudes?

Constitution of India provides for various principles that can guide the social shaping of common values & principles. For example: Fundamental duties in Article 51A call for right treatment of women, senior citizens etc. and Fundamental Rights provide for abolishing untouchability & human trafficking. However, Social attitudes prevent us from achieving these principles. Attitudes of Patriarchy, caste rigidity, disrespect for women & viewing them as inferior, attitude of religious purity & impurity etc. lead to roadblocking of change in society as envisioned by the Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar called this as "Social contradictions" that exist in society.

Hurdles in changing such attitudes:

1. Cognitive hurdles exist such as societal rules by Khap Panchayats that are in violation of the constitution as well as regressive in nature.

2. Socialisation that occurs in family, friends & school is often biased & creates such attitudes at the very foundational level of our upbringing.

3. Failure of institutions & laws to enforce constitutional provisions. For example: The failure of Police during violence in Jat Reservation issue in Haryana was based on caste lines → This institutional failure threatened rule of law.