9780072878837

Focusing on quality of life, this text defines what a social problem is and then addresses specific issues-for example, how can one gain a sociological understanding of social problems? What kinds of critical thinking should one engage in and what kinds should one avoid in attempting to understand social problems? How is the quality of one's life affected by particular problems? What causes these problems and how can we resolve them?Part One establishes key approaches to social problems; the remaining parts discuss the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives.

Part One Foundations
1 Understanding Social Problems
Learning Objectives
FocusQuestions
Personal vs. Social Problems
The Causes of Problems / The Consequences of Problems
A Model For Understanding
A Theory-Based Model / Quality of Life / Multiple Levels of Social Problems / Social Action for Resolution / The Changing Nature of Social Problems / Analyzing Social Problems
Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies
Fallacy of the Dramatic Instance / Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism / Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness / Fallacy of Personal Attack / Appeal to Prejudice / Circular Reasoning / Fallacy of Authority / Fallacy of Composition / Non Sequitur / Involvement--How, and How Not, To Think
The Sources of Data: Social Research
Survey Research / Statistical Analysis of Official Records / Experiments / Participant Observation
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
Part Two Problems of Behavioral Variance
2 Sexual Variance
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Examples of Sexual Variance
Prostitution
Prostitution and the Quality of Life / Contributing Factors / Comparisons: Child Prostitutes
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is To Be Done?
Pornography, Erotica, and Obscenity
Nature and Extent of the Problem / Pornography, Erotica, Obscenity and the Quality of Life / Involvement--Sexy or Disgusting? / Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Homosexuality and Homophobia
Homosexuality: Definition and Numbers / Why Are Some People Homosexual? / Homosexuality and the Quality of Life /Voices: "I Didn't Understand" / Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is To Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
3 Alcohol and Other Drugs
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Alcohol
Effects / Patterns of Use / Alcohol and the Quality of Life / Comparisons: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe / Contributing Factors / What Is to Be Done? / Involvement"I'd Kill before I'd Drink"
Other Drugs
Types and Effects / Patterns of Use / Drugs and the Quality of Life /Voices: Despair and Hope / Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Treating Addicts / Enforcement Programs / Education and Prevention Programs
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
4 Crime and Delinquency
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
The Varieties of Crime
Predatory Crime / Illegal Service Crimes / Public Disorder Crimes / Crimes of Negligence / White? Collar Crime / Organized Crime / Juvenile Delinquency / Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Gangs
The Extent of Crime and Delinquency
Sources of Data / Problems with Official Records / The Amount of Crime and Delinquency / The Distribution of Crime
The Criminal Justice Process
Crime, Delinquency, and the Quality of Life
Physical and Psychological Costs of Crime / Economic Costs of Crime / Voices: A Victim Recovers
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Comparisons: Alternatives to Imprisonment: Germany and Israel / Social Psychological Factors / Involvement--Coddling Criminals
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Punishment or Rehabilitation? / Community Action and Involvement / Aid to Victims
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
5 Violence
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
What Is Violence?
How Much Violence Is There?
Violence and the Quality of Life
Human Injury and Destruction / Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization / Violence as Seductive Self?Destruction /Economic Costs
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Involvement: Violently Opposed to Violence / Is There a Subculture of Violence? / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
The Violence of Rape
Number and Characteristics of Victims
Rape and the Quality of Life
Emotional Trauma / Voices: "I Felt Guilty" / Physical Abuse
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Comparisons: Correlates of Sexual Abuse Among Taiwanese College Students / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
Part Three Problems of Inequality
6 Poverty
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
What Is Poverty?
Extent of Poverty / Who Are the Poor? / Comparisons: Poverty in the World System / The Changing Nature of Poverty
Poverty and the Quality of Life
Voices: We Feel Like Deadbeats" / The Right to Life and Happiness / The Right to Dignity as a Human Being / Poverty and Health / Dilemmas of Poverty / InvolvementFrom Riches to Rags
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
7 Gender Inequality
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Biology or Society?
Gender and Biology / Mens Issues
Gender Inequality and the Quality of Life
The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities / Comparisons: Gender Inequality in the Workplace / Educational Attainment / Political Participation / The Right to Dignity as a Human Being / Voices: "I Didn't Need the Extra Hassles"
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors
Involvement--You Are What You ReadPublic Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
8 Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
The Meaning of Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism
Extent and Origin of Races and Racism in America
Race, Ethnicity and the Quality of Life
The Rights of Citizenship / The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities / The Right to Life and Happiness / Voices: Will It Ever End? / The Right to Dignity as a Human Being
Contributing Factors
Involvement--Becoming Color Blind / Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors / Comparisons: Prejudice in Europe
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
Part Four Problems of Social Institutions
9 Government and Politics
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Introduction
Why Government?
Protect the Citizenry / Secure Order / Distribute Power Equitably / Provide a Safety Net
Problems of Government and Politics
Inequalities in Power / The Failure of Trust / Involvement: Why Don't People Trust the Government? / Waste, Corruption, and Scandals / Gridlock Government, Politics, and the Quality of LifeUnequal Opportunities for a High Quality of Life / Inadequate Protection of Individual Rights / Lack of Responsiveness to Needs / Voices: "Why Isn't There Help for People Like Me?"
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Comparisons: Bureaucracy in Indonesia / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
10 Work and the Economy
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
The Economy, Work, and the Work Force in America
The Changing Economy / The Changing Occupational Structure / The Changing Composition of the Labor Force / The Changing Meaning of Work
Work as a Social Problem
Unemployment and Underemployment / Comparisons: Unemployment Rates in Industrial Nations / Dissatisfaction and Alienation / Work Hazards and Stress
Work and the Quality of Life
Work, Unemployment, and Health / Voices: "I'm Not a Worrier, but. . ." / Interpersonal Relationships
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors / Involvement--Fun and Games at Work
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
11 Education
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Why Education?
Educational Attainment and Payoff
Levels of Attainment / Comparisons: Educational Attainment, by Country / Attainment and Payoff
Education and the Quality of Life
Inequality of Opportunity and Attainment / The Atmosphere: Learning or Surviving? / The Payoff: A Great Training Robbery? / American Education: A Tide of Mediocrity?
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Involvement--What is the Purpose of Education? / Voices: "I Kept My Mouth Shut" / Social Psychological Factors / A Concluding Note on the Inequality in Education
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?Use of Vouchers / Quality Enhancement Measures / The Desegregation Process / Compensatory and Other Innovative Programs / The Deschooling Movement
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
12 Family Problems
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Is the Family Doomed?
Alternative Forms of the Family / The Changing American Family / Comparisons: Household Composition / Functions of the Family
The Extent of Family Problems
Disrupted and Reconstituted Families / Family ViolenceFamily Problems and the Quality of LifePhysical and Emotional Difficulties / Voices: "I Survived the Abuse" / Poverty / Deviant Behavior / Maladjustment
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors / Involvement--One Big Happy Family
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
l3 Health Care and Illness: Physical and Mental
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
Nature of the Problem: Health Care and Illness
Physical Illness / AIDS / Comparisons: The Worldwide Challenge of Infectious Diseases / Mental Illness / Involvement--Except Me and Thee? / Voices: "If You Want to Live a Long Life. . ."
Health Care, Illness, and the Quality of Life
Stress and Suffering / Interpersonal Relationships / Inadequate Care / Deinstitutionalization / Individual Freedom / Economic Costs
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
Notes
Part Five Global Social Problems
14 War and Terrorism
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
War, Civil War, and Terrorism
The New Face of War / Extent of the Problem
War, Terrorism and the Quality of Life
Human Destruction and Injury / Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization / Environmental Destruction / Voices: "I Didn't Want to See It" / The Economic Costs / Civil Liberties
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Comparisons: Militarism: "A World Gone Insane" / Social Psychological Factors / Involvement: "What a Great War That Was"
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading
15 The Environment
Learning Objectives
Focus Questions
The Ecosystem
Types of Environmental Problems
Environmental Pollution / Environmental Depletion
How Big Are Our Environmental Problems?
Environmental Pollution / Environmental Depletion / Comparisons: World Energy Consumption and Production
Environmental Problems and the Quality of Life
The Hazards of Overpopulation / The Environmental Threat to Life and Health / Voices: "We're Not Safe Here Anymore" / Threat to the Ecological Balance / The Economic Costs / Threat to World Peace
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors / Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?
Involvement: Nature Bats Last
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
For Further Reading

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Social Problems and the Quality of Life with Making the Grade Student CD-ROM and PowerWeb

Social Problems and the Quality of Life with Making the Grade Student CD-ROM and PowerWeb

0072878835

Summary

Table of Contents

1 Understanding Social Problems

Learning Objectives

FocusQuestions

Personal vs. Social Problems

The Causes of Problems / The Consequences of Problems

A Model For Understanding

A Theory-Based Model / Quality of Life / Multiple Levels of Social Problems / Social Action for Resolution / The Changing Nature of Social Problems / Analyzing Social Problems

Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies

Fallacy of the Dramatic Instance / Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism / Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness / Fallacy of Personal Attack / Appeal to Prejudice / Circular Reasoning / Fallacy of Authority / Fallacy of Composition / Non Sequitur / Involvement--How, and How Not, To Think

The Sources of Data: Social Research

Survey Research / Statistical Analysis of Official Records / Experiments / Participant Observation

Summary

Key Terms

Study Questions

For Further Reading

Part Two Problems of Behavioral Variance

2 Sexual Variance

Learning Objectives

Focus Questions

Examples of Sexual Variance

Prostitution

Prostitution and the Quality of Life / Contributing Factors / Comparisons: Child Prostitutes

Public Policy and Private Action: What Is To Be Done?

Pornography, Erotica, and Obscenity

Nature and Extent of the Problem / Pornography, Erotica, Obscenity and the Quality of Life / Involvement--Sexy or Disgusting? / Contributing Factors

Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?

Homosexuality and Homophobia

Homosexuality: Definition and Numbers / Why Are Some People Homosexual? / Homosexuality and the Quality of Life /Voices: "I Didn't Understand" / Contributing Factors

Public Policy and Private Action: What Is To Be Done?

Summary

Key Terms

Study Questions

For Further Reading

3 Alcohol and Other Drugs

Learning Objectives

Focus Questions

Alcohol

Effects / Patterns of Use / Alcohol and the Quality of Life / Comparisons: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe / Contributing Factors / What Is to Be Done? / Involvement"I'd Kill before I'd Drink"

Other Drugs

Types and Effects / Patterns of Use / Drugs and the Quality of Life /Voices: Despair and Hope / Contributing Factors

Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?

Treating Addicts / Enforcement Programs / Education and Prevention Programs

Summary

Key Terms

Study Questions

For Further Reading

4 Crime and Delinquency

Learning Objectives

Focus Questions

The Varieties of Crime

Predatory Crime / Illegal Service Crimes / Public Disorder Crimes / Crimes of Negligence / White? Collar Crime / Organized Crime / Juvenile Delinquency / Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Gangs

The Extent of Crime and Delinquency

Sources of Data / Problems with Official Records / The Amount of Crime and Delinquency / The Distribution of Crime

The Criminal Justice Process

Crime, Delinquency, and the Quality of Life

Physical and Psychological Costs of Crime / Economic Costs of Crime / Voices: A Victim Recovers

Contributing Factors

Social Structural Factors / Comparisons: Alternatives to Imprisonment: Germany and Israel / Social Psychological Factors / Involvement--Coddling Criminals

Public Policy and Private Action: What Is to Be Done?

Punishment or Rehabilitation? / Community Action and Involvement / Aid to Victims

Summary

Key Terms

Study Questions

For Further Reading

5 Violence

Learning Objectives

Focus Questions

What Is Violence?

How Much Violence Is There?

Violence and the Quality of Life

Human Injury and Destruction / Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization / Violence as Seductive Self?Destruction /Economic Costs

Contributing Factors

Social Structural Factors / Involvement: Violently Opposed to Violence / Is There a Subculture of Violence? / Social Psychological Factors