Why are people afraid of using the word "problem" and replacing it with that omnipresent meaningless "issue"?

Question

I am an issue of my parents. Papers/magazines have different issues

Answer 1

It's the new language of the politically correct and those who want to look smarter than they really are.

Answer 2

problem |ˈpräbləm| noun 1 a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome : mental health problems | [as adj. ] city planners consider it a problem district. • a thing that is difficult to achieve or accomplish : motivation of staff can also be a problem.

issue |ˈi sh oō| noun 1 an important topic or problem for debate or discussion : the issue of global warming | money is not an issue. • ( issues) personal problems or difficulties : a nice guy with a great sense of humor and not too many issues.


Seems to me that there is a very slight difference in the meanings of these words. A "problem" has a more hopeless feeling in a way. An "issue" just seems to be an obstacle that needs to be confronted with no judgement on if it is good or bad.

Answer 3

Good question. I think it depends on the context. Sometimes when you want to put a positive outlook on something you may choose to say it is an 'issue' rather than a 'problem'. Other times its not clear whether the subject is a problem or not, so 'issue' is more suitable. Also the word 'issue' covers all parts of the subject rather than just the 'problem' part e.g. we could describe Politicians as an issue to be discussed or a problem to be discussed, but the word 'issue' is more appropriate, because (allthough a lot of them are) not all politians are 'problems'.

Answer 4

Well I can think of two reasons. First the word problem implies that the specific topic of discussion is bad, an enigma, or something that needs to be FIXED. This may be okay when your talking about poverty as a problem. But if you refer to gay rights or marriage as a problem or religious rights as a problem then you tend to vilify one side of the debate. Which will not be taken well, especially if you are a plublic figure.
Secondly, besides pointing out the obvious multiple meanings of the word issue....PROBLEM implies a solution or multiple solutions. Sometimes there is no solution only ways of dealing with things. In that case its an ISSUE to be dealt with continuously.

Answer 5

I like your question - it's a question of semantics and euphemisms.

Perhaps issue sounds neutral and without blame or fault, and problem sounds like something is wrong with the people and the situation.

Also issue may sound like it's something easier to deal with and problem may sound like it's going to be hard work to solve.

Issue may be something that everyone has and problem something that you are stuck with because you are part of the problem.

In the last analysis maybe it's that problem has responsibility and accountability to deal with and issue can be less important, serious and without dreaded consequences for actions taken or not taken.

Shall I say your question is an interesting issue or problem?

Answer 6

The word problem is (rightly or wrongly) seen as a negative.
i.e. when I was going on a job interview my wife advised me that when I give examples of skills that I have used, I must never say " I solved a problem by.................". But instead to say I improved such and such by doing such and such, or I overcame the barrier by etc. I think that the reasoning behind this approach is that you are not to show the interviewer that you see things as problems but as challenges (opportunities to develop etc). I have not researched this, it is just my reasoning.

Answer 7

issue can mean to "come forth from, arise from" as the way you are using it, issue of your parents, issues can also arise between people, as someone above stated, issue puts it in the context of something to take notice of, perhaps deal with, and to me represents interaction needed with someone or something
so its not meaningless at all, to me

Answer 8

Because "problems" beg for solutions, and when we arrive at solutions to those problems, we are then compelled to change-- and that is one of the truths of our existence that we resist the most (change.) "Issue" seems to be a way of evading this apparent predicament.

Answer 9

A "problem" has a solution.

An "issue" is a matter of opinion.

Answer 10

"Problem" suggests something bad that should be eliminated. "Issue" is more like a part of life or a circumstance that requires attention, with no judgment about it.