Social Problems

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: Sociology's Basic Approach Chapter 1 Sociology: Studying Social Problems Part II: Problems of Social Inequality Chapter 2 Poverty and Wealth Chapter 3 Racial and Ethnic Inequality Chapter 4 Gender Inequality Chapter 5 Aging and Inequality Part III: Problems of Deviance, Conformity, and Well-Being Chapter 6 Crime, Violence, and Criminal Justice Chapter 7 Sexuality Chapter 8 Alcohol and Other Drugs Chapter 9 Physical and Mental Health Part IV: Problems of Social Institutions Chapter 10 Economy and Politics Chapter 11 Work and the Workplace Chapter 12 Family Life Chapter 13 Education Chapter 14 Urban Life COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS * Every chapter ends with: Going On from Here Defining Solutions Getting Involved: Applications & Exercises Making the Grade Visual Summary Sample Test Questions Preface Part I: Sociology's Basic Approach Chapter 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems Constructing the Social Problem Seeing Patterns: The Sociological Imagination Social Problems: The Basics Beyond Our Borders: A Global Perspective Analyzing Social Problems: Sociological Theory Finding the Facts: Sociological Research Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment A Call to Action: The Message of Martin Luther King Jr. Part II: Problems of Social Inequality Chapter 2: Poverty and Wealth Constructing the Social Problem Economic Inequality in the United States The Rich and the Poor: A Social Profile Problems Linked to Poverty Responding to Poverty: The Welfare System Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment U.S. Society Discovers Poverty Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Poverty Politics and Poverty: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 3: Racial and Ethnic Inequality Constructing the Social Problem Race and Ethnicity Patterns of Majority-Minority Interaction Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Rosa Parks: Saying No to Segregation The Social Standing of U.S. Minorities Prejudice Discrimination Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Racial and Ethnic Inequality Politics, Race, and Ethnicity: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 4: Gender Inequality Constructing the Social Problem What Is Gender? Gender and Social Institutions Gender Stratification Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Gender Inequality Feminism Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Claiming Women's Right to Equality Politics and Gender: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 5: Aging and Inequality Constructing the Social Problem Growing Old The Graying of the United States Problems of Aging Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment A Good Death: Cicely Saunders and Hospice Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Aging and Inequality Politics and Aging: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Part III: Problems of Deviance, Conformity, and Well-Being Chapter 6: Crime, Violence, and Criminal Justice Constructing the Social Problem Norms, Law, and Crime Crime: The Extent of the Problem "Street Crime": Who Are the Criminals? Other Dimensions of the Crime Problem Violence Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment U.S. Society Discovers Child Abuse The Criminal Justice System Explaining Crime: Biological and Psychological Theories Explaining Crime: Sociological Theories Politics and Crime: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 7: Sexuality Constructing the Social Problem What Is Sex? Sexual Attitudes in the United States Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Alfred Kinsey: Talking Openly about Sex Sexual Orientation Pornography Sexual Harassment Prostitution Teenage Pregnancy Abortion Sexually Transmitted Diseases Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Sexuality Politics and Sexuality: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 8: Alcohol and Other Drugs Constructing the Social Problem What Is a Drug? The Extent of Drug Use Types of Drugs Drugs and Other Social Problems Social Policy: Responding to the Drug Problem Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Bill Wilson: Alcoholics Can Learn to Be Sober Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Drug-Related Social Problems Politics and Drugs: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 9: Physical and Mental Health Constructing the Social Problem Health and Illness: A Global Perspective Health Policy: Paying for Care Health Care in the United States: A System in Crisis? Mental Health and Illness Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Dorothea Dix: Mentally Ill People Deserve Our Help Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Health Problems Politics and Health: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Part IV: Problems of Social Institutions Chapter 10: Economy and Politics Constructing the Social Problem Economic Systems: Defining Justice, Defining Problems The Economy and Politics Problems of the U.S. Political Economy Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Store Wars: Is Wal-Mart the Problem or the Solution? Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Economic and Political Problems Politics and the Economy: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 11: Work and the Workplace Constructing the Social Problem The Importance of Work Structural Changes in the U.S. Economy Other Problems of the U.S. Workplace Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Eugene Debs: Standing Up for the Union New Information Technology: The Brave New Workplace Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Work-Related Problems Politics and the Workplace: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 12: Family Life Constructing the Social Problem What Is a Family? Controversies over Family Life Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Same-Sex Marriage: The Massachusetts Decision Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Family Problems Politics and Family Life: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 13: Education Constructing the Social Problem Problems of Education: A Global Perspective Problems with U.S. Education Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Linda Brown: Fighting to Desegregate the Schools Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Educational Problems Politics and Education: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 14: Urban Life Constructing the Social Problem Cities: Then and Now Problems of Today's Cities Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Jacob Riis: Revealing the Horror of the Tenements [change Horror to Misery?] Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Urban Problems Politics and Urban Life: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Part V: Global Problems Chapter 15: Population and Global Inequality Constructing the Social Problem Global Population Increase Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Thomas Robert Malthus: Claiming Population Is a Problem [delete Claiming?] Global Inequality Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Global Inequality Politics and Global Inequality: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 16: Technology and the Environment Constructing the Social Problem Ecology: Studying the Natural Environment Environmental Problems Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Rachel Carson: Sounding an Environmental Wake-Up Call Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Environmental Problems Politics and the Environment: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Chapter 17: War and Terrorism Constructing the Social Problem War and Peace: Basic Definitions Terrorism Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment Mohandas Gandhi: Spreading a Message of Peace Theoretical Analysis: Understanding War and Terrorism Politics and War: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions Glossary References Photo Credits About the Author Name Index Subject Index