This is a comprehensive mid-level paperback textbook that takes a theoretically balanced, student-centered approach to social problems.

The text progresses from a micro- to macro-level of analysis, focusing first on such problems as illness and health care, drugs and alcohol, and family problems and then broadening to the larger issues of poverty and inequality, population growth, environmental problems, and conflict around the world.

The social problem in each chapter is framed in a global as well as U.S. context. In every chapter, the three major theoretical perspectives are applied to the social problem under discussion, and the consequences of the problem, as well as alternative solutions, are explored. Pedagogical features such as The Human Side and Self and Society enable students to grasp how social problems affect the lives of individuals and apply their understanding of social problems to their own lives.

"Essentially it is what I want to teach my students and what I want them to learn."

"...it is a complete text, with many overarching themes (among chapters) that can be related to and discussed all semester."

"Comprehensive, thorough, easily understood, adaptable."

"The authors do an excellent job incorporating the three major sociological theories in each chapter along with a discuss on research methods."

"Outstanding!"