Introduction to Social Problems,9780205449057

Introduction to Social Problems

by
Edition: 7th
ISBN13: 9780205449057
ISBN10: 0205449050
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2006-01-01
Publisher(s): Allyn & Bacon
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List Price: $101.00

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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.

Table of Contents

Preface xxii
About the Author xxix
Approaches to the Study of Social Problems
What Is a Social Problem?
2(4)
Personal Troubles, Public Issues, and Social Problems
2(1)
The Social Context of Social Problems
3(2)
The Sociological Imagination
5(1)
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems
6(5)
The Functionalist Perspective
6(1)
The Conflict Perspective
7(2)
The Interactionist Perspective
9(1)
Using the Theoretical Perspectives
9(1)
Constructing Social Problems: The Mass Media and Other Influences
10(1)
Research on Social Problems
11(5)
The Scientific Method
11(1)
Conducting Research
11(1)
Applied Research Untangling Myths and Facts About Social Problems
12(1)
Values, Interest Groups, and Objectivity
13(1)
Assessing Data: Problems and Pitfalls
14(2)
Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems
16(4)
What Can We Do About Social Problems?
16(1)
The Interplay of Social Policy and Research
16(1)
Who Provides Solutions?
16(1)
Policy Issues Domestic Violence: How to Intervene?
17(2)
Should We Solve the Problem?
19(1)
International Perspectives: Social Problems in Other Societies
19(1)
Linkages
20(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
20(1)
Study and Review
20(6)
Growth of Corporate and Government Power
Myths and Facts: About Business and Government
26(1)
Types of Economic Systems
26(2)
Capitalism
27(1)
Socialism
27(1)
Mixed Economies
28(1)
The Concentration of Economic and Political Power
28(5)
The Corporate Economy
28(2)
Unionization
30(1)
Big Government
31(2)
Perspectives on the Concentration of Power
33(6)
The Functionalist Perspective
33(1)
The Conflict Perspective
33(1)
Is There a Power Elite in the United States?
33(1)
International Perspectives Global Economic Concentration
34(2)
Applied Research Corporate Concentration and Globalization of the Media
36(2)
The World Economic System
38(1)
Problems Created by the Concentration of Power
39(5)
Effects on Competition
40(1)
Conflict Between Societal and Corporate Goals
40(1)
Threats to Democratic Institutions
40(1)
The Dwindling of Unions
41(1)
Worker Dislocation and Unemployment
41(2)
Abuse of Government Authority
43(1)
Future Prospects
44(4)
Reducing Government and Deficits
44(1)
Government Reorganization
44(1)
Collective Action by Citizens
45(1)
The Globalization of Labor
46(1)
Economic Reorganization
46(2)
Policy Issues What Role Should the Government Play in the Global Economy?
48(1)
Linkages
48(1)
Study and Review
48(2)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
50(6)
Family-Related Problems
Myths and Facts About the Family
56(1)
The Family in Society
56(5)
The Functionalist Perspective
57(2)
The Conflict Perspective
59(1)
The Interactionist Perspective
59(1)
Applied Research Day Care: Problem or Solution?
60(1)
Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family
61(2)
Divorce
63(3)
The Divorce Rate
63(2)
Who Gets Divorced?
65(1)
The Effects of Divorce
65(1)
Emerging Family Lifestyles
66(5)
Dual-Earner Families
67(1)
Singlehood
68(1)
Cohabitation
68(1)
Single Parenthood
69(1)
A Global Perspective
70(1)
Violence in the Family
71(3)
Intimate Partner Violence
71(1)
Policy Issues Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized?
72(1)
Child Abuse
73(1)
Abuse of the Elderly
74(1)
Constructing Family Problems: Media Images
74(1)
Future Prospects
75(4)
The Future of Divorce
76(1)
Reducing Family Violence
76(1)
Children and the Family
77(1)
International Perspectives Families and Children in Other Societies
78(1)
Linkages
79(1)
Study and Review
79(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
80(6)
Health and Illness
Myths and Facts About Health and Health Care
86(1)
Perspectives on Health Care
86(3)
The Functionalist Perspective
86(1)
The Conflict Perspective
87(1)
The Interactionist Perspective
87(1)
Politics, Stigma, and the AIDS Epidemic
88(1)
Health, Illness, and Society
89(7)
Health and Societal Development
89(1)
Applied Research Combating the Spread of AIDS
90(3)
Social Factors in Health and Illness
93(3)
Mental Illness
96(3)
The Nature of Mental Illness
96(2)
The Treatment of Mental Disorders
98(1)
Problems in Health Care
99(5)
Rising Health-Care Costs
99(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

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