9780078026867

Social Problems and the Quality of Life is a thought-provoking text providing thorough coverage of the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives. Chapters define what a social problem is, and address a number of questions crucial to understanding social problems. Learning is supported through several pedagogical features such as Global Comparison boxes and public policy sections, as well as study questions, internet resources, and ample review materials.

List of Figures xii
List of Tables xiii
Preface xiv
Foundations 1
1 Understanding Social
Problems 2
Objectives 2
“Why Is It My Fault?” 3
Introduction 3
Personal versus SocialProblems 4
The Causes of Problems 5
The Consequences of Problems 5
A Model for Understanding 7
A Theory-Based Model 8
Quality of Life 10
Multiple Levels of Social Problems 11
Social Action for Resolution 12
The Changing Nature of Social Problems 13
Analyzing Social Problems 14
Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies 15
Fallacy of Dramatic Instance 15
Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism 16
Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness 17
Fallacy of Personal Attack 18
Fallacy of Appeal to Prejudice 18
Fallacy of Circular Reasoning 19
Fallacy of Authority 19
Fallacy of Composition 21
Fallacy of Non Sequitur 21
Involvement: How, and How Not,to Think 22
Fallacies and the Mass Media 22
The Sources of Data: Social Research 23
Survey Research 24
Statistical Analysis of Offi cial Records 25
Experiments 28
Participant Observation 29
Summary 31
Key Terms 31
Study Questions 31
Internet Resources/Exercises 32
For Further Reading 32
Problems of Behavioral Deviance 33
2 Alcohol and Other Drugs 34
Objectives 34
Despair and Hope 35
Introduction 36
Alcohol 37
Effects 37
Patterns of Use 38
Alcohol and the Quality of Life 39
Global Comparison: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe 41
Involvement: “I’d Kill Before I’d Drink” 42
Contributing Factors 43
Public Policy and Private Action 45
Other Drugs 47
Types and Effects 47
Patterns of Use 53
Drugs and the Quality of Life 55
Contributing Factors 59
Public Policy and Private Action 64
Summary 69
Key Terms 69
Study Questions 69
Internet Resources/Exercises 70
For Further Reading 70
3 Crime and Delinquency 72
Objectives 72
A Victim Recovers 73
Introduction 74
The Varieties of Crime 75
Predatory Crime 75
Illegal Service Crimes 76
Public Disorder Crimes 76
Crimes of Negligence 76
Cyber Crime 76
White-Collar Crime 77
Organized Crime 79
Juvenile Delinquency 80
Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Gangs 80
The Extent of Crime and Delinquency 82
Sources of Data 82
Problems with Offi cial Records 83
The Amount of Crime and Delinquency 84
The Distribution of Crime 86
The Criminal Justice Process 86
Crime, Delinquency, and the Qualityof Life 88
Physical and Psychological Costs of Crime 88
Economic Costs of Crime 89
Contributing Factors 89
Social Structural Factors 89
Global Comparison: Alternatives to Imprisonment: Germany and Israel 92
Involvement: Coddling Criminals 93
Social Psychological Factors 96
Public Policy and Private Action 97
Punishment or Rehabilitation? 97
Capital Punishment 98
Innovative Alternatives 99
Community Action and Involvement 100
Aid to Victims 100
Summary 101
Key Terms 101
Study Questions 101
Internet Resources/Exercises 102
For Further Reading 102
4 Violence 104
Objectives 104
“I Felt Guilty” 105
Introduction 106
What Is Violence? 107
How Much Violence IsThere? 107
Interpersonal Violence 108
Intergroup Violence 109
Violence and the Quality of Life 110
Human Injury and Destruction 110
Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization 111
Violence as Seductive Self-Destruction 112
Economic Costs 112
Contributing Factors 113
Social Structural Factors 113
Involvement: Violently Opposedto Violence 116
Social Psychological Factors 120
Public Policy and Private Action 122
The Violence of Rape 123
Rape and the Quality of Life 124
Emotional and Physical Trauma 124
Physical Abuse 126
Contributing Factors 126
Social Structural Factors 126
Social Psychological Factors 127
Global Comparison: Attitudes of TurkishStudents Toward Rape 128
Public Policy and Private Action 130
Summary 132
Key Terms 132
Study Questions 132
Internet Resources/Exercises 133
For Further Reading 133
5 Sexual Deviance 134
Objectives 134
“My Husband Is a Porn Addict” 135
Introduction 136
Examples of Sexual Deviance 136
Prostitution 138
Prostitution and the Quality of Life 140
Global Comparison: Child Prostitutes 143
Contributing Factors 144
Public Policy and Private Action 147
Pornography, Erotica, and Obscenity 148
Nature and Extent of the Problem 148
Pornography, Erotica, Obscenity, and the Qualityof Life 150
Involvement: Sexy or Disgusting? 152
Contributing Factors 152
Public Policy and Private Action 154
Summary 155
Key Terms 155
Study Questions 155
Internet Resources/Exercises 155
For Further Reading 155
Problems of Inequality 157
6 Poverty 158
Objectives 158
“We Feel Like Deadbeats” 159
Introduction 160
What Is Poverty? 160
Extent of Poverty 162
Who Are the Poor? 163
The Changing Nature of Poverty 166
Poverty and the Quality of Life 167
The Right to Life and Happiness 168
Global Comparison: Poverty in the World System 169
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being 170
Poverty and Health 173
Involvement: From Riches to Rags 173
Dilemmas of Poverty 174
Contributing Factors 175
Social Structural Factors 176
Social Psychological Factors 183
Public Policy and Private Action 184
Summary 187
Key Terms 187
Study Questions 187
Internet Resources/Exercises 188
For Further Reading 188
7 Gender and Sexual Orientation 190
Objectives 190
“I Didn’t Need the Extra Hassles” 191
Introduction 192
Gender Inequality 192
Biology or Society? 193
Gender Inequality and the Quality of Life 195
Global Comparison: Occupational Sex Segregation in Developing Countries 200
Contributing Factors 201
Involvement: You Are What You Read 205
Public Policy and Private Action 208
Homosexuality and Homophobia 210
Homosexuality: Defi nitions and Numbers 210
Why Are Some People Homosexual? 212
Homosexuality and the Quality of Life 214
Contributing Factors 217
Public Policy and Private Action 220
Summary 221
Key Terms 221
Study Questions 221
Internet Resources/Exercises 221
For Further Reading 222
8 Race, Ethnic Groups,and Racism 224
Objectives 224
Will It Ever End? 225
Introduction 226
The Meaning of Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism 226
Extent and Origin of Races and Racism in America 227
Racism in American History 229
Immigration 230
Race, Ethnicity, and the Quality of Life 231
The Rights of Citizenship 232
The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities 234
The Right to Life and Happiness 238
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being 241
Contributing Factors 242
Involvement: Becoming Color Blind 243
Social Structural Factors 243
Social Psychological Factors 247
Global Comparison: Prejudice in Europe 250
Public Policy and Private Action 251
Summary 253
Key Terms 253
Study Questions 253
Internet Resources/Exercises 253
For Further Reading 254
PART 4Problems of Social Institutions 255
9 Government and Politics 256
Objectives 256
“Why Isn’t There Help for People Like Me?” 257
Introduction 258
Why Government? 258
Protect the Citizenry 259
Secure Order 260
Distribute Power Equitably 260
Provide a Safety Net 260
Problems of Government and Politics 261
Inequalities in Power 261
The Failure of Trust 262
Involvement: Why Don’t People Trust the Government? 266
Waste, Corruption, and Scandals 266
Gridlock 269
Government, Politics, and the Quality of Life 269
Unequal Opportunities for a High Quality of Life 269
Inadequate Protection of Individual Rights 270
Lack of Responsiveness to Needs 271
Contributing Factors 272
Social Structural Factors 273
Global Comparison: Bureaucracy in Indonesia 278
Social Psychological Factors 281
Public Policy and Private Action 283
Summary 285
Key Terms 285
Study Questions 285
Internet Resources/Exercises 286
For Further Reading 286
10 Work and the Economy 288
Objectives 288
“I’m Not a Worrier. But . . .” 289
Introduction 290
The Economy, Work, and the Workforce in America 290
The Changing Economy 290
The Changing Workforce 293
The Changing Composition of the Labor Force 294
The Changing Meaning of Work 295
Work as a Social Problem 297
Unemployment and Underemployment 297
Dissatisfaction and Alienation 299
Work Hazards and Stress 299
Global Comparison: Unemployment Rates in Industrial Nations 300
Work and the Quality of Life 301
Work, Unemployment, and Health 301
Interpersonal Relationships 303
Contributing Factors 304
Social Structural Factors 304
Social Psychological Factors 309
Involvement: Fun and Games at Work 310
Public Policy and Private Action 311
Summary 314
Key Terms 314
Study Questions 314
Internet Resources/Exercises 314
For Further Reading 315
11 Education 316
Objectives 316
“I Kept My Mouth Shut” 317
Introduction 318
Why Education? 318
Educational Attainment and Payoff 319
Levels of Attainment 319
Attainment and Payoff 321
Global Comparison: Educational Attainment, by Country 322
Education and the Quality of Life 324
Inequality of Opportunity and Attainment 324
The Atmosphere: Learning or Surviving? 327
The Payoff: A Great Training Robbery? 329
American Education: A Tide of Mediocrity? 330
Contributing Factors 331
Social Structural Factors 331
Involvement: What Is the Purpose of Education? 333
Social Psychological Factors 336
A Concluding Note on Inequality in Education 337
Public Policy and Private Action 339
Use of Vouchers 339
Quality Enhancement Measures 340
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Inequality 342
Compensatory and Other Innovative Programs 342
The Deschooling Movement 343
Summary 344
Key Terms 344
Study Questions 344
Internet Resources/Exercises 345
For Further Reading 345
12 Family Problems 346
Objectives 346
“I Survived the Abuse” 347
Introduction 348
Is the Family Doomed? 348
Alternative Forms of the Family 349
The Changing American Family 350
Functions of the Family 351
The Extent of Family Problems 352
Disrupted and Reconstituted Families 352
Family Violence 354
Global Comparison: Marital Quality and Well-Being of Children 355
Family Problems and the Quality of Life 357
Physical and Emotional Diffi culties 358
Poverty 361
Deviant Behavior 362
Maladjustment 362
Contributing Factors 363
Social Structural Factors 363
Social Psychological Factors 367
Involvement: One Big Happy Family 370
Public Policy and Private Action 372
Summary 374
Key Terms 374
Study Questions 374
Internet Resources/Exercises 375
For Further Reading 375
13 Health Care and Illness:
Physical and Mental 376
Objectives 376
“If You Want to Live a Long Life” 377
Introduction 378
Nature of the Problem: Health Care and Illness 379
Physical Illness 379
Global Comparison: The Worldwide Challenge of
Infectious Diseases 382
Mental Illness 383
Involvement: Except Me and Thee? 385
Health Care, Illness, and the Quality of Life 386
Stress and Suffering 386
Interpersonal Relationships 387
Inadequate Care 388
Deinstitutionalization 390
Individual Freedom 392
Economic Costs 392
Contributing Factors 393
Social Structural Factors 393
Social Psychological Factors 399
Public Policy and Private Action 402
Health Care Reform 403
Innovations in the Delivery of Health Care 403
Innovations in Treatment 404
Prevention 405
Summary 406
Key Terms 406
Study Questions 406
Internet Resources/Exercises 407
For Further Reading 407
PART 5 Global Social Problems 409
14 War and Terrorism 410
Objectives 410
“I Didn’t Want to See It” 411
Introduction 412
War, Civil War, and Terrorism 412
The New Face of War 412
The Extent of the Problem 413
War, Terrorism, and the Quality of Life 414
Human Destruction and Injury 414
Psychological and Interpersonal Disruption and
Dehumanization 419
Environmental Destruction 423
The Economic Costs 424
War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties 426
Global Comparison: Militarism: “A World Gone Insane” 428
Contributing Factors 429
Social Structural Factors 430
Social Psychological Factors 433
Involvement: “What a Great War That Was” 434
Public Policy and Private Action 436
Summary 439
Key Terms 439
Study Questions 439
Internet Resources/Exercises 439
For Further Reading 440
Endnotes 440
15 The Environment 442
Objectives 442
“We’re Not Safe Here Anymore” 443
Introduction 444
The Ecosystem 444
Types of Environmental Problems 445
Environmental Pollution 445
Environmental Depletion 449
How Big Are These Environmental Problems? 450
Environmental Pollution 451
Environmental Depletion 453
Global Comparison: World Energy Consumption and
Production 454
Environmental Problems and the Quality of Life 456
The Environmental Threat to Life and Health 456
Threat to the Ecological Balance 458
The Economic Costs 459
Threat to World Peace 460
Contributing Factors 461
Social Structural Factors 461
Involvement: Nature Bats Last 465
Social Psychological Factors 465
Public Policy and Private Action 467
What Can Individuals Do? 467
What Can Business and Industry Do? 468
What Can the Government Do? 468
Summary 470
Key Terms 470
Study Questions 470
Internet Resources/Exercises 470
For Further Reading 471
Glossary 472
References 477
Credits 538
Name Index 539
Subject Index 550

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Social Problems and the Quality of Life

Social Problems and the Quality of Life

0078026865

Summary

Table of Contents

List of Tables xiii

Preface xiv

Foundations 1

1 Understanding Social

Problems 2

Objectives 2

“Why Is It My Fault?” 3

Introduction 3

Personal versus SocialProblems 4

The Causes of Problems 5

The Consequences of Problems 5

A Model for Understanding 7

A Theory-Based Model 8

Quality of Life 10

Multiple Levels of Social Problems 11

Social Action for Resolution 12

The Changing Nature of Social Problems 13

Analyzing Social Problems 14

Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies 15

Fallacy of Dramatic Instance 15

Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism 16

Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness 17

Fallacy of Personal Attack 18

Fallacy of Appeal to Prejudice 18

Fallacy of Circular Reasoning 19

Fallacy of Authority 19

Fallacy of Composition 21

Fallacy of Non Sequitur 21

Involvement: How, and How Not,to Think 22

Fallacies and the Mass Media 22

The Sources of Data: Social Research 23

Survey Research 24

Statistical Analysis of Offi cial Records 25

Experiments 28

Participant Observation 29

Summary 31

Key Terms 31

Study Questions 31

Internet Resources/Exercises 32

For Further Reading 32

Problems of Behavioral Deviance 33

2 Alcohol and Other Drugs 34

Objectives 34

Despair and Hope 35

Introduction 36

Alcohol 37

Effects 37

Patterns of Use 38

Alcohol and the Quality of Life 39

Global Comparison: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe 41

Involvement: “I’d Kill Before I’d Drink” 42

Contributing Factors 43

Public Policy and Private Action 45

Other Drugs 47

Types and Effects 47

Patterns of Use 53

Drugs and the Quality of Life 55

Contributing Factors 59

Public Policy and Private Action 64

Summary 69

Key Terms 69

Study Questions 69

Internet Resources/Exercises 70

For Further Reading 70

3 Crime and Delinquency 72

Objectives 72

A Victim Recovers 73

Introduction 74

The Varieties of Crime 75

Predatory Crime 75

Illegal Service Crimes 76

Public Disorder Crimes 76

Crimes of Negligence 76