Social Problems in a Diverse Society

ISBN 13:
9780205337255
ISBN 10:
0205337252
Edition: 3rd
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/01/2004
Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
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Note: Not guaranteed to come with supplemental materials (access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.)

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Summary

Social Problems in a Diverse Society focuses on the significance of race, class, and gender; uses personal narratives to convey how problems are experienced by individuals and groups; and applies sociological perspectives throughout to examine social issues. The book includes five chapters on problems based on inequalities: wealth and poverty, race and ethnicity, gender, age, and sexual orientation. the author, who specializes in social theory, uses the three main sociological perspectives throughout the book, along with contemporary feminist and humanist perspectives.

Preface

Taking a New Look at Social Problems

(20)

What is a Social Problem?

(4)

Box 1.1 Social Problems and Social Policy

Do Guns Kill People or Do People Kill People?

(3)

Subjective Awareness and Objective Reality

(1)

Why Study Social Problems?

(1)

The Sociological Imagination and Social Problems

(1)

Sociological Perspectives on Social Problems

(7)

The Functionalist Perspective

(2)

The Conflict Perspective

(2)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

(2)

Social Research Methods for Studying Social Problems

(7)

Field Research

(1)

Survey Research

(1)

Secondary Analysis of Existing Data

(1)

Box 1.2 Social Problems in the Media

Violence in the Media

(2)

In Sum

(1)

Summary

(1)

Key Terms

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

(1)

Wealth and Poverty: U.S. and Global Economic Inequalities

(22)

Wealth and Poverty in Global Perspective

(2)

Analyzing U.S. Class Inequality

(5)

Box 2.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

``Cheap Labor'' and the Global Economy

(2)

Wealth versus Income Inequality

(2)

Divisions in the U.S. Class Structure

(1)

Poverty in the United States

(6)

Social Problems and Statistics

Poverty in the United States

(2)

The Poverty Line

(1)

Who Are the Poor?

(1)

Consequences of Poverty

(1)

Social Welfare in the United States

(7)

Box 2.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Following Up on Welfare Reform: Does One Size Fit All?

(2)

Explanations for Poverty

(1)

Can Class-Based Inequality Be Reduced?

(1)

Summary

(1)

Key Terms

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

(1)

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

(26)

Racial and Ethnic Inequality as a Social Problem

(2)

What Are Race and Ethnicity?

(1)

``Official'' Racial and Ethnic Classifications

(1)

Dominant and Subordinate Groups

(1)

Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

(3)

Box 3.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Racism in Canada

(1)

Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Inequality

(4)

Social-Psychological Perspectives

(1)

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives

(1)

Functionalist Perspectives

(1)

Conflict Perspectives

(1)

Box 3.2 Social Problems in the Media

Reflections on the TV Screen: The Portrayal of Latinas and Latinos

(2)

Inequalities Among Racial and Ethnic Groups

(11)

Native Americans (American Indians)

(1)

African Americans

(3)

Latinos/as (Hispanic Americans)

(1)

Social Problems and Statistics

Accurate and Inaccurate Comparisons

(2)

Asian and Pacific Americans

(2)

Box 3.3 Social Problems and Social Policy

Social Justice: Beyond Black and White

(1)

Summary

(1)

Can Racial and Ethnic Inequalities be Reduced?

(5)

Summary

(1)

Key Terms

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

(2)

Gender Inequality

(26)

Gender Inequality as a Social Problem

(1)

Defining Sex and Gender

(1)

Biological and Social Bases for Gender Roles

(1)

Gender Inequality and Socialization

(6)

Gender Socialization by Parents

(1)

Peers and Gender Socialization

(1)

Education and Gender Socialization

(2)

Sports and Gender Socialization

(1)

Social Problems and Statistics

Do Athletic Gains for Women Equal Losses for Men?

(1)

The Media and Gender Socialization

(2)

Contemporary Gender Inequality

(9)

The Gendered Division of Paid Work

(3)

The Wage Gap

(1)

Sexual Harassment

(1)

The Glass Ceiling and the Glass Escalator

(2)

Box 4.1 Social Problems and Social Policy

Men Being Taunted by Other Men: Is It Sexual Harassment?

(2)

The Double Shift

(1)

Perspectives on Gender Inequality

(2)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

(1)

The Functionalist Perspective

(1)

Conflict and Feminist Perspectives

(1)

Global Gender Inequality

(3)

Box 4.2 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Sex-Selective Abortion: Missing Girls in China

(2)

Can Gender Inequality in the United States Be Reduced?

(3)

Summary

(1)

Key Terms

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

(2)

Inequality Based on Age

(20)

Ageism as a Social Problem

(9)

Age-Based Stereotypes

(1)

Social Inequality and the Life Course

(1)

Box 5.1 Social Problems in the Media

Media Ageism and Reporting on Teenagers

100

(4)

Social Problems and Statistics

Drawing the Wrong Conclusion

104

(1)

Death and Dying

105

(1)

Problems Associated with Aging

106

(5)

Workplace Discrimination

106

(1)

Retirement and Changing Roles

107

(1)

Health, Illness, and Health Care

107

(1)

Box 5.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Government-Funded Health Care for Older People: Medicare

108

(1)

Victimization

109

(1)

Family Problems and Social Isolation

109

(1)

Housing Patterns and Long-Term Care Facilities

110

(1)

Perspectives on Aging and Social Inequality

111

(1)

The Functionalist Perspective

111

(1)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

111

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

112

(1)

Can Age-Based Inequality be Reduced?

112

(4)

Summary

114

(1)

Key Terms

115

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

115

(1)

Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

116

(20)

Nature and Extent of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

118

(1)

Social Problems and Statistics

How Many Gays and Lesbians?

118

(1)

Ideological Bases of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

119

(4)

Box 6.1 Social Problems in the Media

Depictions of Gay Men and Lesbians: Accurate Portrayals in Television Programming?

120

(1)

Religion and Sexual Orientation

120

(2)

Law and Sexual Orientation

122

(1)

Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

123

(5)

Lack of Marital Rights

123

(1)

Parental Rights

124

(1)

Housing Discrimination

124

(1)

Discrimination in Medical Care

124

(1)

Occupational Discrimination

125

(1)

Discrimination in the Military

126

(1)

Victimization and Hate Crimes

126

(1)

Box 6.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

School's Out: Closing the Books on Homophobia

127

(1)

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Social Inequality

128

(4)

Biological and Psychological Perspectives

128

(2)

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives

130

(1)

Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives

131

(1)

Can Inequalities Based on Sexual Orientation be Reduced?

132

(4)

Summary

134

(1)

Key Terms

135

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

135

(1)

Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry

136

(20)

Deviance, the Sex Industry, and Social Problems

137

(1)

Prostitution in Global Perspective

138

(4)

The World's Oldest Profession?

139

(1)

The Global Sex Industry

139

(1)

Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women

140

(1)

Box 7.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Economic Development or Childhood Sexual Slavery?

140

(2)

Prostitution in the United States

142

(4)

The Nature of Prostitution

142

(1)

The Extent of Prostitution

143

(1)

Social Problems and Statistics

What We Know and Don't Know about Prostitution

143

(1)

Prostitution and Age, Class, and Race

143

(3)

Sociological Perspectives on Prostitution

146

(1)

The Functionalist Perspective

146

(1)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

146

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

147

(1)

Pornography

147

(5)

The Social Construction of Pornography as a Social Problem

148

(1)

The Nature and Extent of Pornography

149

(1)

Research on Pornography

149

(1)

Box 7.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

The Issue of Real versus Virtual Actors in Internet Child Pornography

150

(1)

Pornography and Age, Gender, Class, and Race

150

(2)

The Future of Pornography and the Sex Industry

152

(4)

Summary

154

(1)

Key Terms

155

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

155

(1)

Alcohol and Other Drugs

156

(26)

Drug Use and Abuse

157

(2)

Defining Drug Abuse

158

(1)

Drug Addiction

158

(1)

Alcohol Use and Abuse

159

(5)

Alcohol Consumption and Class, Gender, Age, and Race

159

(2)

Alcohol-Related Social Problems

161

(1)

Box 8.1 Social Problems in the Media

A Fading Drumbeat against Drunken Driving?

162

(2)

Tobacco (Nicotine) Use as a Social Problem

164

(1)

Prescription Drugs, Over-the-Counter Drugs, and Caffeine

165

(2)

Prescription Drugs

166

(1)

Over-the-Counter Drugs

166

(1)

Caffeine

167

(1)

Illegal Drug Use and Abuse

167

(6)

Marijuana

167

(1)

Box 8.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

The Battle over Marijuana: Medicalization or Legalization?

168

(1)

Stimulants

169

(2)

Depressants

171

(1)

Narcotics

171

(1)

Hallucinogens

172

(1)

Explanations of Drug Abuse

173

(3)

Biological Explanations

173

(1)

Psychological Explanations

173

(1)

Sociological Explanations

174

(2)

The Future of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

176

(6)

Prevention Programs

176

(2)

Treatment Programs

178

(2)

Summary

180

(1)

Key Terms

181

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

181

(1)

Crime and Criminal Justice

182

(30)

Crime as a Social Problem

183

(3)

Problems with Official Statistics

184

(1)

Defining Crime and Delinquency

184

(2)

Types of Crimes

186

(9)

Violent Crime

186

(2)

Box 9.1 Social Problems in the Media

What Makes Murder So Newsworthy?

188

(3)

Property Crime

191

(2)

Occupational (White-Collar) Crime

193

(1)

Corporate Crime

193

(1)

Organized Crime

194

(1)

Juvenile Delinquency

194

(1)

Who Commits Crimes?

195

(2)

Biological and Psychological Explanations of Crime

197

(1)

Biological Explanations

197

(1)

Psychological Explanations

197

(1)

Sociological Explanations of Crime

198

(5)

The Functionalist Perspective

198

(2)

The Conflict Perspective

200

(1)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

200

(2)

Box 9.2 Social Problems in the Media

The Virtual World of Extreme Violence

202

(1)

The Criminal Justice System

203

(9)

The Police

204

(1)

The Courts

205

(1)

Punishment and the Prisons

206

(1)

The Death Penalty

207

(1)

Box 9.3 Social Problems and Social Policy

Crime Prevention or the Prison-Industrial Complex?

208

(1)

Summary

209

(1)

Key Terms

210

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

211

(1)

Health Care: Problems of Physical and Mental Illness

212

(24)

Health Care as a Social Problem

213

(6)

Acute and Chronic Diseases and Disability

216

(2)

Box 10.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Global Enemies of Health: The Double Burden of Low-Income Nations

218

(1)

The AIDS Crisis

218

(1)

Mental Illness as a Social Problem

219

(5)

Treatment of Mental Illness

221

(1)

Race, Class, Gender, and Mental Disorders

222

(2)

The Crisis in U.S. Health Care

224

(7)

Health Care Organization, Rising Costs, and Unequal Access

224

(1)

Box 10.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Health Care: The Canadian Model

225

(3)

Social Problems and Statistics

Families without Health Insurance

228

(1)

The Uninsured and the Underinsured

229

(1)

Race, Class, Gender, and Health Care

230

(1)

Sociological Explanations for Health Care Problems

231

(5)

The Functionalist Perspective

231

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

232

(1)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

233

(1)

Summary

234

(1)

Key Terms

235

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

235

(1)

The Changing Family

236

(24)

The Nature of Families

237

(4)

Changing Family Structure and Patterns

238

(1)

Are U.S. Families in Decline?

238

(1)

Box 11.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

The Changing Family around the World

239

(1)

Changing Views on Marriage and Families

240

(1)

Sociological Perspectives on Family-Related Problems

241

(3)

Functionalist Perspectives

242

(1)

Conflict and Feminist Perspectives

242

(1)

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives

243

(1)

Diversity in Intimate Relationships and Families

244

(3)

Singlehood

244

(1)

Postponing Marriage

244

(1)

Cohabitation and Domestic Partnerships

245

(1)

Dual-Earner Marriages

246

(1)

Comparing Two-Parent and One-Parent Households

246

(1)

Child-Related Family Issues

247

(5)

Reproductive Freedom, Contraception, and Abortion

248

(1)

Infertility and New Reproductive Technologies

249

(1)

Adoption

250

(1)

Teen Pregnancies and Unmarried Motherhood

250

(2)

Divorce and Remarriage

252

(2)

Social Problems and Statistics

The Odds of Getting Divorced

253

(1)

Domestic Violence

254

(3)

Child Abuse

254

(1)

Spouse Abuse

255

(1)

Social Responses to Domestic Violence

256

(1)

Family-Related Problems in the Twenty-First Century

257

(3)

Box 11.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Day Care: Jump-Starting the Stalled Revolution

257

(1)

Summary

258

(1)

Key Terms

259

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

259

(1)

Problems in Education

260

(22)

Sociological Perspectives on Education

261

(5)

Functionalist Perspectives

262

(1)

Conflict Perspectives

263

(1)

Box 12.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Education in Japan: The Underside of Excellence

263

(2)

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives

265

(1)

Problems in U.S. Education

266

(6)

What Can Be Done about Illiteracy?

266

(1)

Immigration and Increasing Diversity in School

267

(2)

Educational Opportunities and Race, Class, and Gender

269

(2)

School Violence

271

(1)

Problems in School Financing

272

(3)

Box 12.2 Social Problems in the Media

Channel One: Commercialism in the Classroom

273

(2)

Problems in Higher Education

275

(3)

The Soaring Cost of a College Education

275

(1)

Social Problems and Statistics

Does Spending More Money Guarantee a Better Education?

276

(1)

The Continuing Debate over Affirmative Action

277

(1)

Educational Problems in the Twenty-First Century

278

(4)

Summary

279

(1)

Key Terms

280

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

281

(1)

Problems in Politics and the Global Economy

282

(22)

Types of Economies

284

(2)

Preindustrial Economies

284

(1)

Industrial Economies

284

(1)

Postindustrial Economies

284

(2)

Three Major Modern Economic Systems

286

(1)

Problems in the Global Economy

286

(2)

Transnational Corporations and the Lack of Accountability

287

(1)

Box 13.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Global Consumerism: Something for Everyone?

288

(1)

Problems in the U.S. Economy

288

(4)

Concentration of Wealth

288

(2)

The National Debt and Consumer Debt

290

(1)

Corporate Welfare

291

(1)

Problems in Political Participation Around the World

292

(1)

Problems in U.S. Politics

293

(5)

Voter Apathy and the Gender Gap

293

(1)

Politics and Money in Political Campaigns

293

(1)

Box 13.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Campaign Finance Reform

294

(2)

Government by Special-Interest Groups

296

(1)

Government by Bureaucracy

296

(1)

The Military-Industrial Complex

297

(1)

Sociological Perspectives on the Political Economy

298

(2)

The Functionalist Perspective

298

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

299

(1)

Problems in Politics and the Economy in the Twenty-First Century

300

(4)

Summary

301

(1)

Key Terms

302

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

303

(1)

Problems in the Media

304

(20)

The Political Economy of Media Industries

306

(6)

Media Ownership and Control

307

(2)

Problems Associated with Convergence

309

(1)

Box 14.1 Social Problems in the Media

Virtual Media versus the Mainstream Press

310

(2)

Global Media Issues

312

(2)

Box 14.2 Social Problems in the Global Perspective

The Depiction of Africa by the Global Media: Omissions and Commissions

313

(1)

Potential Media Effects

314

(4)

Aggression, Violence, and the Media

314

(2)

Perpetuation of Race and Gender Stereotypes in the Media

316

(2)

Sociological Perspectives on Media-Related Problems

318

(2)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

318

(1)

The Functionalist Perspective

319

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

319

(1)

The Media in the Twenty-First Century

320

(4)

Summary

321

(2)

Key Terms

323

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

323

(1)

Population and the Environmental Crisis

324

(26)

Global Overpopulation

325

(7)

Population Growth

325

(3)

The Impact of Population Growth

328

(1)

Box 15.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Worldwide Migration

328

(2)

World Hunger

330

(2)

Controlling Fertility

332

(2)

Family Planning

333

(1)

Zero Population Growth

333

(1)

Immigration and its Consequences

334

(2)

Population and the Environment

336

(8)

Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation

337

(1)

Air Pollution

337

(3)

Problems with Water, Soil, and Forests

340

(1)

Solid, Toxic, and Nuclear Wastes

341

(1)

Box 15.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

What to Do with Waste? NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard!)

342

(2)

Sociological Perspectives on Population and the Environment

344

(2)

The Functionalist Perspective

344

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

345

(1)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

346

(1)

Population and the Environment in the Twenty-First Century

346

(4)

Summary

347

(1)

Key Terms

348

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

349

(1)

Urban Problems

350

(22)

Changes in U.S. Cities

352

(2)

Early Urban Growth and Social Problems

352

(1)

Contemporary Urban Growth

352

(2)

Urban Problems in the United States

354

(8)

Fiscal Crisis in Cities

354

(2)

The Crisis in Health Care

356

(1)

Housing Problems

356

(1)

Box 16.1 Social Problems in the Media

Homelessness and the Holidays

357

(3)

Racial and Ethnic Segregation

360

(2)

Problems in Global Cities

362

(3)

Sociological Perspectives on Urban Problems

365

(4)

The Functionalist Perspective

365

(1)

The Conflict Perspective

366

(1)

Box 16.2 Social Problems and Social Policy

Who Will Benefit Most from the Community Renewal Initiative?

366

(2)

The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

368

(1)

Urban Problems in the Twenty-First Century

369

(3)

Summary

370

(1)

Key Terms

371

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

371

(1)

Global Social Problems: War and Terrorism

372

(20)

War as a Social Problem

374

(5)

The Nature of War

374

(1)

The Consequences of War

375

(1)

Box 17.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective

Surviving the War in Bosnia

375

(4)

Military Technology and War

379

(1)

Global Terrorism

380

(2)

Domestic Terrorism in the United States

382

(3)

Box 17.2 Social Problems in the Media

Media and Terrorism: What Is the Line between Information and Fear?

383

(2)

Explanations of War and Terrorism

385

(3)

Biological Perspectives

385

(1)

Psychological Perspectives

386

(1)

Sociological Explanations

387

(1)

War and Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century

388

(4)

Summary

389

(1)

Key Terms

390

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

391

(1)

Can Social Problems Be Solved?

392

(20)

A Review of Major Social Theories on Social Problems

394

(1)

Social Change and Reducing Social Problems

395

(1)

Microlevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems

396

(1)

Seeking Individual Solutions to Personal Problems

396

(1)

Limitations of the Microlevel Solutions Approach

397

(1)

Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems

397

(5)

Groups That Help People Cope with Their Problems

397

(1)

Grassroots Groups That Work for Community-Based Change

398

(2)

Box 18.1 Social Problems and Social Policy

Floating Homeless Shelters: A Solution or a Problem for Homeless People?

400

(1)

Limitations of the Midlevel Solutions Approach

401

(1)

Macrolevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems

402

(10)

Working through Special-Interest Groups for Political Change

402

(1)

Working through National and International Social Movements to Reduce Problems

403

(4)

Limitations of the Macrolevel Solution Approach

407

(1)

Box 18.2 Social Problems in the Media

Mobilizing for Change through the Echo Effect

407

(2)

Summary

409

(1)

Key Terms

410

(1)

Questions for Critical Thinking

411

(1)

Glossary

412

(7)

References

419

(29)

Name Index

448

(7)

Subject Index

455

Social Problems in a Diverse Society

9780205337255

0205337252

Summary

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