C. Wright Mills believed that there is an important connection between individual people and society as a whole; “The Sociological Imagination” demonstrates this connection. Mills states “Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.” The sociological imagination tells us that there is a relationship that exists between Private Troubles and Public Issues which people are often unaware of.

Mills explains that the distinction of private troubles and public issues is essential in grasping the sociological imagination. The distinction can be made in that private troubles are personal because of the individuals’ character. Public Issues; however, differ in that they are problems that have come from society and in turn effect the people within that society. The problem which occurs is that an individual often takes on the burden of a society created issue as their own private trouble, often without realising they have done so.
An example of this given to us by Mills is marriage and in turn divorce. Individuals often feel that because their marriage is a private relationship the issues which grow within must be their own troubles. However the sociological imagination tells us that with substantial divorce rates, there must be a more logical explanation which is being overlooked. If divorce rates were low, this would indicate personal troubles. However as divorce rates continue to be so high there must therefore be a society based force causing the decline in marriages being sustained.
The sociological imagination demonstrates that individuals must come to realise that making these public issues their own trouble prevents change. If people are able to let these troubles go back into a public issue social change may be possible.

Domestic Violence is another issue which is too often considered a private matter when in fact is a public issue. Domestic Violence effects both men and woman from different religions, backgrounds and with different lifestyles. The abuse can be kept a secret by the victim and abuser but could also spill out into a social setting. Like divorce, there is an alarming number of domestic incidents recorded each year. The Scottish Government released that in 2009-10 there were 51,926 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by Police in Scotland. The problem that we face is that for many years’ people have felt that what goes on within a couple’s relationship is their own business which again gives the impression that problems within that relationship are their own. Outsiders often feel uncomfortable when the subject of domestic violence within a relationship arises. As explained by the sociological imagination we know that if people begin to speak openly and discuss domestic violence, it will begin to devolve to its correct public issue. We have seen in recent years steps being taken to make this a possibility.