Introduction to Social Problems

ISBN 13:
9780205449057
ISBN 10:
0205449050
Edition: 7th
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/01/2006
Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Newer Edition

Note: Not guaranteed to come with supplemental materials (access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.)

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Summary

This social problems text features an applied approach that looks at the interplay between research and policy in finding solutions, along with a built-in student study guide. Sullivans Introduction to Social Problems explores the nature and extent of social problems, documents the advances and setbacks that we as a society have made, and analyzes what works and what doesn't work regarding solutions to today's problems. The author, an applied sociologist, shows how science research is used to address and correct some of the most difficult and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.

Preface

xxii

About the Author

xxix

Approaches to the Study of Social Problems

What Is a Social Problem?

(4)

Personal Troubles, Public Issues, and Social Problems

(1)

The Social Context of Social Problems

(2)

The Sociological Imagination

(1)

Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems

(5)

The Functionalist Perspective

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

(2)

The Interactionist Perspective

(1)

Using the Theoretical Perspectives

(1)

Constructing Social Problems: The Mass Media and Other Influences

(1)

Research on Social Problems

(5)

The Scientific Method

(1)

Conducting Research

(1)

Applied Research Untangling Myths and Facts About Social Problems

(1)

Values, Interest Groups, and Objectivity

(1)

Assessing Data: Problems and Pitfalls

(2)

Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems

(4)

What Can We Do About Social Problems?

(1)

The Interplay of Social Policy and Research

(1)

Who Provides Solutions?

(1)

Policy Issues Domestic Violence: How to Intervene?

(2)

Should We Solve the Problem?

(1)

International Perspectives: Social Problems in Other Societies

(1)

Linkages

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

(1)

Study and Review

(6)

Growth of Corporate and Government Power

Myths and Facts: About Business and Government

(1)

Types of Economic Systems

(2)

Capitalism

(1)

Socialism

(1)

Mixed Economies

(1)

The Concentration of Economic and Political Power

(5)

The Corporate Economy

(2)

Unionization

(1)

Big Government

(2)

Perspectives on the Concentration of Power

(6)

The Functionalist Perspective

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

(1)

Is There a Power Elite in the United States?

(1)

International Perspectives Global Economic Concentration

(2)

Applied Research Corporate Concentration and Globalization of the Media

(2)

The World Economic System

(1)

Problems Created by the Concentration of Power

(5)

Effects on Competition

(1)

Conflict Between Societal and Corporate Goals

(1)

Threats to Democratic Institutions

(1)

The Dwindling of Unions

(1)

Worker Dislocation and Unemployment

(2)

Abuse of Government Authority

(1)

Future Prospects

(4)

Reducing Government and Deficits

(1)

Government Reorganization

(1)

Collective Action by Citizens

(1)

The Globalization of Labor

(1)

Economic Reorganization

(2)

Policy Issues What Role Should the Government Play in the Global Economy?

(1)

Linkages

(1)

Study and Review

(2)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

(6)

Family-Related Problems

Myths and Facts About the Family

(1)

The Family in Society

(5)

The Functionalist Perspective

(2)

The Conflict Perspective

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

(1)

Applied Research Day Care: Problem or Solution?

(1)

Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family

(2)

Divorce

(3)

The Divorce Rate

(2)

Who Gets Divorced?

(1)

The Effects of Divorce

(1)

Emerging Family Lifestyles

(5)

Dual-Earner Families

(1)

Singlehood

(1)

Cohabitation

(1)

Single Parenthood

(1)

A Global Perspective

(1)

Violence in the Family

(3)

Intimate Partner Violence

(1)

Policy Issues Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized?

(1)

Child Abuse

(1)

Abuse of the Elderly

(1)

Constructing Family Problems: Media Images

(1)

Future Prospects

(4)

The Future of Divorce

(1)

Reducing Family Violence

(1)

Children and the Family

(1)

International Perspectives Families and Children in Other Societies

(1)

Linkages

(1)

Study and Review

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

(6)

Health and Illness

Myths and Facts About Health and Health Care

(1)

Perspectives on Health Care

(3)

The Functionalist Perspective

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

(1)

Politics, Stigma, and the AIDS Epidemic

(1)

Health, Illness, and Society

(7)

Health and Societal Development

(1)

Applied Research Combating the Spread of AIDS

(3)

Social Factors in Health and Illness

(3)

Mental Illness

(3)

The Nature of Mental Illness

(2)

The Treatment of Mental Disorders

(1)

Problems in Health Care

(5)

Rising Health-Care Costs

(1)

Access to Medical Services

100

(1)

Quality of Medical Services

100

(1)

Gender Inequality in Health Care

101

(2)

The Corporatization of Health Care

103

(1)

Bioethics: Technology and Health

104

(2)

The Prolongation of Life

105

(1)

Whom Shall We Treat?

105

(1)

Future Prospects

106

(6)

Publicly Funded Health Insurance

106

(1)

Compulsory, Employer-Financed Health Insurance

107

(1)

HMOs and Managed Care

107

(1)

International Perspectives Paying for Health Care in Other Societies

108

(1)

New Health-Care Practitioners

109

(1)

Policy Issues Should Health Care Be for Profit?

110

(1)

Self-Care and Changing Lifestyles

111

(1)

Linkages

111

(1)

Study and Review

112

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

112

(6)

Poverty

Myths and Facts About the Poor

118

(1)

The Extent of Poverty

118

(4)

Defining Poverty

118

(1)

The Extent of Poverty in the United States

119

(2)

A Global View of Poverty

121

(1)

Who Are the Poor?

122

(5)

Social Characteristics

122

(3)

Social Circumstances

125

(2)

The Causes of Poverty

127

(5)

The Functionalist Perspective

127

(2)

The Conflict Perspective

129

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective and Cultural Analysis

130

(1)

Applied Research Structural Sources of Entrenched Poverty

131

(1)

Future Prospects

132

(6)

Full Employment

132

(1)

Education, Training, and Jobs

132

(2)

Income Maintenance Programs

134

(1)

Policy Issues Welfare Reform: How Well Is It Working?

134

(3)

International Perspectives Poverty and Welfare in Other Societies

137

(1)

Collective Action

138

(1)

Linkages

138

(1)

Study and Review

138

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

139

(5)

Race and Ethnic Relations

Myths and Facts About Race and Ethnicity

144

(1)

Minority Groups

144

(1)

Race and Ethnicity

144

(1)

Racism

145

(1)

Sources of Prejudice and Discrimination

145

(4)

Social Sources

146

(1)

Psychological Sources

147

(2)

Consequences of Discrimination

149

(1)

Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States

149

(10)

African Americans

149

(2)

Hispanic Americans

151

(2)

American Indians

153

(1)

Asian Americans

154

(2)

Today's Immigrants

156

(1)

Applied Research Combating Prejudice and Discrimination

156

(1)

The Social Construction of Minorities: Media Images

157

(2)

Future Prospects

159

(7)

Assimilation or Pluralism?

159

(1)

Race Relations Today: Race or Class?

160

(1)

Collective Protest and Civil Rights Legislation

161

(1)

Affirmative Action

161

(1)

School Programs and Busing

162

(1)

Policy Issues Should the Government Intervene to Improve Opportunities for Minorities?

162

(2)

International Perspectives Switzerland: Cooperation in a Multiethnic Society

164

(1)

Improving the Economy

165

(1)

Linkages

166

(1)

Study and Review

166

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

167

(5)

Gender and Social Inequality

Myths and Facts About Gender Inequality

172

(1)

Men and Women in Society

172

(3)

The Biological Perspective

172

(1)

The Functionalist Perspective

173

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

174

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

175

(1)

The Socialization of Men and Women

175

(4)

The Family

175

(1)

The Schools

176

(1)

The Media

177

(1)

Applied Research Fighting Sexism in Higher Education

177

(2)

The Extent of Gender Inequality in the United States

179

(5)

Economic Discrimination

179

(3)

Discrimination in the Military

182

(1)

Other Types of Discrimination

183

(1)

Gender Inequality Involving Males

183

(1)

A Global Perspective on Gender Inequality

184

(1)

Future Prospects

184

(7)

Collective Action and the Feminist Movement: A Global Struggle

184

(2)

International Perspectives The Treatment of Women in Other Societies

186

(1)

Changes in the Law

187

(1)

Changes in the Workplace

188

(1)

The Changing Face of Politics

189

(1)

Masculine, Feminine, or Human?

189

(1)

Policy Issues Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

190

(1)

Linkages

191

(1)

Study and Review

191

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

192

(6)

Age, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality

Myths and Facts About Age and Sexual Orientation

198

(1)

Age, Life Course, and Social Structure

198

(3)

The Functionalist Perspective

198

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

199

(1)

The Age Structure of Society

200

(1)

Problems of the Young

201

(2)

Economic Exploitation

201

(1)

Family Instability

202

(1)

Poverty

203

(1)

Sexual Exploitation

203

(1)

Child Abuse

203

(1)

Problems of the Elderly

203

(6)

Work and Retirement

203

(1)

Applied Research How Well Off Are Children and Youth in the United States?

204

(1)

Poverty and Financial Problems

205

(2)

Social Isolation

207

(1)

Domestic Violence

207

(1)

Health Problems

208

(1)

Fear of Crime

208

(1)

Institutions and Nursing Homes

208

(1)

Homosexuality and Homophobia

209

(5)

Theories of Sexual Orientation

209

(1)

Societal Reaction to Homosexuality

210

(4)

The Gay Community

214

(1)

Future Prospects

214

(7)

Reducing Risks for Children and Youth

214

(1)

Economic Resources of the Elderly

215

(1)

Policy Issues Should Medicare or Social Security Be Based on Age Rather than Need?

216

(1)

Health Care of the Elderly

217

(1)

Living Arrangements of the Elderly

217

(1)

International Perspectives Public and Familial Assistance for the Elderly in Other Societies

218

(2)

Collective Action by the Elderly

220

(1)

Collective Action by Gays and Lesbians

220

(1)

Linkages

221

(1)

Study and Review

221

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

222

(6)

Crime and Delinquency

Myths and Facts About Crime

228

(1)

Explanations of Crime

228

(4)

The Functionalist Perspective

229

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

230

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

231

(1)

Types of Crime

232

(4)

Violent and Property Crime

233

(1)

Organized Crime

233

(1)

White-Collar Crime

233

(1)

Victimless Crime

234

(1)

Juvenile Delinquency

234

(1)

The Crime Rate in the United States

234

(2)

Who Are the Criminals?

236

(3)

Gender

236

(1)

Age

236

(2)

Socioeconomic Status

238

(1)

Race

239

(1)

Who Are the Victims?

239

(1)

The Criminal Justice System

239

(8)

The Police

239

(1)

The Courts

240

(1)

Sentencing and Punishment

241

(1)

Applied Research Does the Death Penalty Deter Crime?

242

(2)

The Prisons

244

(1)

Constructing the Crime Problem: The Role of the Mass Media

245

(1)

Policy Issues Should States Let Private Companies Run Correctional Facilities?

246

(1)

Future Prospects

247

(4)

Social Reform

247

(1)

Legalization of Some Crimes

248

(1)

International Perspectives Crime in Other Societies

248

(1)

Better Law Enforcement

249

(1)

Judicial Reform

250

(1)

Alternatives to Prison

250

(1)

Prison Reform

250

(1)

Linkages

251

(1)

Environmental Opportunities

251

(1)

Victim Restitution

251

(1)

Study and Review

251

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

252

(6)

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Myths and Facts About Drug Abuse

258

(1)

Drugs and Their Consequences

258

(2)

Drug Use and Abuse

258

(1)

The Societal Costs of Drug Abuse

259

(1)

The Extent of Drug Abuse in the United States

260

(10)

Alcohol

260

(3)

Marijuana and Hashish

263

(2)

Stimulants

265

(2)

Depressants

267

(1)

Narcotics

267

(1)

Applied Research Discovering the Role of Drugs in Crime and Violence

268

(1)

Hallucinogens

269

(1)

Explanations of Drug Abuse

270

(2)

Biological Explanations

270

(1)

Psychological Explanations

271

(1)

Sociological Explanations

271

(1)

Future Prospects

272

(8)

Prohibition: The War on Drugs and Alcohol

272

(1)

Legalization

273

(1)

International Perspectives The Political Economy of the Global Drug Trade

274

(2)

Policy Issues Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized in the United States?

276

(1)

Primary Prevention

276

(1)

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Communities

277

(1)

Behavior Modification

278

(1)

Social Policy and Public Pressure

279

(1)

Social Reform

280

(1)

Linkages

280

(1)

Study and Review

280

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

281

(5)

Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade

Myths and Facts About Prostitution and Pornography

286

(1)

Variety in Human Sexuality

286

(2)

A Cross-Cultural View

286

(1)

Sexual Standards and Variety in the United States

287

(1)

Prostitution

288

(3)

Extent of Prostitution

289

(1)

Who Becomes a Prostitute?

290

(1)

Pornography

291

(5)

International Perspectives The Global Sex Industry

292

(2)

Defining Pornography

294

(1)

Pornography and Censorship

294

(2)

Pornography and Sexual Violence

296

(1)

Perspectives on Sexual Deviance

296

(4)

The Functionalist Perspective

296

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

297

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

298

(1)

Applied Research Does Pornography Lead to Violence Against Women?

298

(2)

Future Prospects

300

(3)

Policy Issues Should We Censor Pornography on the Internet?

302

(1)

Linkages

302

(1)

Study and Review

303

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

304

(6)

Population Growth and Urbanization

Population Growth

310

(5)

Elements of Demographic Change

310

(1)

Myths and Facts About Population Growth and Urbanization

311

(1)

World Population Growth

312

(1)

The Demographic Transition

313

(1)

The Extent of Overpopulation

314

(1)

The Growth of Cities

315

(1)

Urbanization

315

(1)

Suburbanization

316

(1)

The Postindustrial City

316

(1)

Perspectives on Population and Urban Problems

316

(2)

The Functionalist Perspective

316

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

317

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

318

(1)

Consequences of World Population Growth

318

(3)

Crowding

319

(1)

Food Shortages

319

(1)

Depletion of Resources

320

(1)

Intergroup Conflict

320

(1)

Problems in Cities in the United States

321

(3)

Economic Decline

321

(1)

Housing

321

(1)

Segregation

322

(1)

Crime

323

(1)

Educational Problems

323

(1)

Applied Research Working to Improve Urban Life

324

(1)

Future Prospects

324

(8)

Population Problems

324

(2)

International Perspectives Population Policy and Family Planning in China

326

(2)

Urban Problems

328

(2)

Policy Issues Should the Government Regulate Growth and Development in Urban Areas?

330

(2)

Linkages

332

(1)

Study and Review

332

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

333

(5)

Environmental Problems

Myths and Facts About the Environment

338

(1)

The Ecosystem

338

(1)

Social Sources of Environmental Problems

339

(2)

Population Growth

339

(1)

Affluence

340

(1)

Technology

340

(1)

Economic Growth

340

(1)

Cultural Values

341

(1)

Perspectives on Environmental Problems

341

(2)

The Functionalist Perspective

341

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

342

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

342

(1)

The Social Construction of Environmental Problems

343

(1)

Extent of Environmental Problems

344

(9)

Water Supply and Pollution

344

(2)

Solid and Toxic Wastes

346

(2)

Radioactive Wastes

348

(1)

Applied Research Assessing the Extent of Environmental Justice: Race, Class, and Pollution

348

(1)

Land Degradation

348

(2)

Declining Biodiversity

350

(1)

Air Pollution

350

(2)

Pesticides and Other Chemicals

352

(1)

Energy Resources

352

(1)

Future Prospects

353

(7)

Collective Action by Interest Groups

353

(1)

Moderating Economic Growth

354

(1)

Policy Issues Do We Need Government Regulation to Control Environmental Problems?

354

(1)

Government Regulation

355

(1)

Environmental Partnerships

355

(1)

International Perspectives Environmental Practices and Policies in Other Societies

356

(1)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

356

(1)

Renewable Energy Resources

357

(1)

International Cooperation

358

(1)

New Cultural Values and Social Institutions

359

(1)

Linkages

359

(1)

Study and Review

360

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

360

(6)

Violence, War, and Terrorism

Myths and Facts About Collective Violence and War

366

(1)

The Extent of Violence

366

(7)

Civil Disorders

366

(1)

Political Violence

367

(1)

War

367

(2)

The Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction

369

(1)

International Perspectives The Global Arms Trade and the Military--Industrial Complex

370

(1)

Terrorism

370

(3)

Explanations of Collective Violence and War

373

(6)

Biological Approaches

373

(1)

Social Sources of Collective Violence and War

374

(2)

Applied Research The Social Roots of Terrorist Violence

376

(1)

Theoretical Perspectives on Collective Violence and War

377

(1)

Constructing War: The Role of the Mass Media

378

(1)

The Consequences of War and Terrorism

379

(1)

Death, Injury, and Social Dislocation

379

(1)

Crime

379

(1)

Political Turmoil

379

(1)

Economic Problems

380

(1)

Nuclear Annihilation

380

(1)

Future Prospects

380

(6)

Social Reform and Social Justice

380

(1)

Gun Control

381

(1)

Media Control

381

(1)

Preventing War

381

(1)

Policy Issues American Empire: A New World Order?

382

(4)

Linkages

386

(1)

Study and Review

386

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

387

(5)

Education, Science, and Technology

Myths and Facts About Education, Science, and Technology

392

(1)

Growth of Education and Technology

392

(2)

Perspectives on Education, Science, and Technology

394

(2)

The Functionalist Perspective

394

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

395

(1)

The Interactionist Perspective

396

(1)

Problems in Education

396

(5)

The Credentials Race

396

(3)

Applied Research Evaluating the Equality of Educational Opportunities in the United States

399

(1)

Tracking

399

(1)

Effectiveness: Low Performance and Dropouts

399

(1)

Race, Ethnicity, and Segregation

400

(1)

Violence in the Schools

401

(1)

Problems of Science and Technology

401

(6)

Unemployment

402

(1)

Alienation

403

(1)

Loss of Control

403

(1)

Loss of Privacy

404

(1)

Should We Play God? The Case of Genetic Engineering

405

(2)

Future Prospects

407

(9)

Reforms and Trends in Education

407

(1)

Policy Issues Biotechnology Raises the Issue: Whose Life Is It, Anyway?

408

(2)

International Perspectives Education in Other Societies

410

(3)

Science and Technology

413

(2)

Linkages

415

(1)

Researching Social Problems on the Internet

416

(1)

Study and Review

416

(4)

Glossary

420

(5)

Bibliography

425

(24)

Photo Credits

449

(1)

Study and Review Answer Key

450

(3)

Name Index

453

(6)

Subject Index

459

Introduction to Social Problems

9780205449057

0205449050

Summary

Table of Contents

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