Probably you did not discover a totally new social problem. Therefore, some laws or school rules may already exist related to your social problem. Despite these laws or rules, your problem still exists. Why?

Your social problem may still exist because the present policies are

• Not strong enough. For example, suppose a law in your city only gave young shoplifters a warning and no punishment. Many shoplifters would do it again. Your city may need a stronger policy. The city council could pass a law with a stronger punishment. The law could make shoplifters pay back what they stole and do community service. That would be a much stronger policy.
• Not being enforced because...
  • ...the problem is not a priority. School principals and police officers enforce policies for their school or city. They must deal with numerous problems. They have to spend most of their time on the more serious problems. Sometimes, therefore, some policies are not enforced. A new school rule or law could have the effect of making the problem a priority.
  • ...there is a lack of resources. People who break traffic laws cause accidents. This social problem is a priority. However, cities cannot afford to have police officers watch every stop sign or traffic light. There is a lack of police officers. There is a lack of money to hire enough police officers. A new law could add more money to the city budget to hire more police to deal with traffic.
• Ineffective
• ...ineffective laws need to be strengthened or changed. Laws that are totally ineffective may have to be abolished.