Social Problems
Constructionist Readings
1st Edition
Published on 20. September 2017
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-138-53289-2 (ISBN)
Description
This collection of focused essays is directed at several levels of students of social problems. It is accessible to the uninitiated, who are not familiar with the constructionist literature, and aimed at those who are not particularly interested in subtle theoretical and empirical issues of concern to academics studying social problems from constructionist perspectives. Some readings focus on the construction of problems by scientists and other professionals; others examine the work of social activists, mass media, and social service personnel. Among the topics included are studies of social inequalities and individual deviance; a comparison of the images of social problems in the United States with those in other countries; and an examination of the importance of politics and power in constructing public images of social problems.
Constructionist perspectives have become the leading theoretical approach for sociology and allied fields in studying social problems. Yet constructionists' impact on the teaching of social problems has been far less dramatic. Undergraduate courses on social problems are often subject to a theoretical barrage of eclectic perspectives. Just as the first social problems textbooks did almost a century ago, textbooks continue to present a series of unrelated chapters, each devoted to a particular social problem. Social Problems is an effort at systematic analysis rather than random thought on the subject.
Social Problems presents detailed case studies demonstrating how constructionist perspectives can actually be applied to understand particular social problems. While these articles can be read alone, the editors have organized these selections to correspond with the chapter topics in the second edition of Donileen Loseke's Thinking about Social Problems, an accessible introduction to constructionist approaches. At the same time, some instructors who use this edited collection might wish to provide their own mix to the selection process. Many of the contributions make multiple points and so reasonably could be used to illustrate other basic texts or classic studies in the field of social problems.
Constructionist perspectives have become the leading theoretical approach for sociology and allied fields in studying social problems. Yet constructionists' impact on the teaching of social problems has been far less dramatic. Undergraduate courses on social problems are often subject to a theoretical barrage of eclectic perspectives. Just as the first social problems textbooks did almost a century ago, textbooks continue to present a series of unrelated chapters, each devoted to a particular social problem. Social Problems is an effort at systematic analysis rather than random thought on the subject.
Social Problems presents detailed case studies demonstrating how constructionist perspectives can actually be applied to understand particular social problems. While these articles can be read alone, the editors have organized these selections to correspond with the chapter topics in the second edition of Donileen Loseke's Thinking about Social Problems, an accessible introduction to constructionist approaches. At the same time, some instructors who use this edited collection might wish to provide their own mix to the selection process. Many of the contributions make multiple points and so reasonably could be used to illustrate other basic texts or classic studies in the field of social problems.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
571 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-138-53289-2 (9781138532892)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2017
1st Edition
Routledge
€67.49
Available for download
E-Book
07/2017
Routledge
€67.49
Available for download
Donileen R. Loseke | Joel Best
Social Problems: Constructionist Readings
A companion Reader to "Thinking About Social Problems". (Social Problems and Social Issues)
Book
03/2003
1st Edition
AldineTransaction
€73.50
Shipment within 10-15 days
Person
Donileen Loseke
Content
Preface
I. Examining Social Problems
Introduction
1 The Changing Meanings of Spanking - Phillip W. Davis
2 Bullying as a Social Problem in Great Britain - Frank Furedi
3 The Problem with the Earthquake Problem - Robert A. Stallings
4 Reality Television Constructs Crime - Gray Cavender
II. Claims-Makers and Audiences
Introduction
5 Audiences Evaluate Statistics - Joel Best
6 Promoters of Hate Crime Legislation - Valerie Jenness and Kendal Broad
7 Psychiatrists Construct Homosexuality - Stuart A. Kirk and Herb Kutchins
8 Television Talk Shows Construct Morality - Kathleen S. Lowney
III. Constructing Conditions
Introduction
9 Smoking Problems in Japan - Jun Ayukawa
10 Crime Frames and their Sponsors - Theodore Sasson
11 Framing in the Fathers' Rights Movement - Gwyneth I. Williams and Rhys H. Williams
12 Factory Farming as a Social Problem - Karl R. Kunkel
IV. Constructing People
Introduction
13 The Rhetorical Appeal of Random Violence - Joel Best
14 Prostitutes Respond to AIDS - Valerie Jenness
15 Science Constructs PMS - Anne E. Figert
16 Multicultural Education as Moral Drama - Shan Netson-Rowe
V. Constructing Solutions
Introduction
17 The Homeless Mentally 111 and Involuntary Hospitalization - Donileen R. Loseke
18 Constructing a War on Drugs - Craig Reinarman and Harry G. Levine
19 Urine Testing and Social Control - William J. Staudenmeier
20 The Size Acceptance Movement - Jeffery Sobal
VI. Social Problems and Everyday Life
Introduction
21 Constructing the Need for "Low Fat" Food - S. Bryn Austin
22 Pregnant Women as a Social Problem - Carol Brooks-Gardner
23 Constructing Sexually Marginalized Catholics - Donileen R. Loseke and James C. Cavendish
24 The Beliefs of Recovery Religion - Kathleen S. Lowney
VII. Social Problems and Troubled People
Introduction
25 Medicalizing Childhood - Dorothy Pawluch
26 Teaching Gifted Children - Leslie Margolin
27 Constructing Insanity in Involuntary Commitment Hearings - James A. Holstein
28 Formula Stories and Support Groups for Battered Women - Donileen'R. Loseke
VIII. Evaluating Constructionist Perspectives on Social Problems
Introduction
29 "Crack Babies" and the Politics of Mothering - Jacqueline Litt and Maureen McNeil
30 The Symbolic Meanings of "Pedophile Priests" - Philip Jenkins
31 Horror Stories and the Construction of Child Abuse - John M. Johnson
32 Constructing the "Jewish Problem" in Nazi Germany - Ronald J. Berger
I. Examining Social Problems
Introduction
1 The Changing Meanings of Spanking - Phillip W. Davis
2 Bullying as a Social Problem in Great Britain - Frank Furedi
3 The Problem with the Earthquake Problem - Robert A. Stallings
4 Reality Television Constructs Crime - Gray Cavender
II. Claims-Makers and Audiences
Introduction
5 Audiences Evaluate Statistics - Joel Best
6 Promoters of Hate Crime Legislation - Valerie Jenness and Kendal Broad
7 Psychiatrists Construct Homosexuality - Stuart A. Kirk and Herb Kutchins
8 Television Talk Shows Construct Morality - Kathleen S. Lowney
III. Constructing Conditions
Introduction
9 Smoking Problems in Japan - Jun Ayukawa
10 Crime Frames and their Sponsors - Theodore Sasson
11 Framing in the Fathers' Rights Movement - Gwyneth I. Williams and Rhys H. Williams
12 Factory Farming as a Social Problem - Karl R. Kunkel
IV. Constructing People
Introduction
13 The Rhetorical Appeal of Random Violence - Joel Best
14 Prostitutes Respond to AIDS - Valerie Jenness
15 Science Constructs PMS - Anne E. Figert
16 Multicultural Education as Moral Drama - Shan Netson-Rowe
V. Constructing Solutions
Introduction
17 The Homeless Mentally 111 and Involuntary Hospitalization - Donileen R. Loseke
18 Constructing a War on Drugs - Craig Reinarman and Harry G. Levine
19 Urine Testing and Social Control - William J. Staudenmeier
20 The Size Acceptance Movement - Jeffery Sobal
VI. Social Problems and Everyday Life
Introduction
21 Constructing the Need for "Low Fat" Food - S. Bryn Austin
22 Pregnant Women as a Social Problem - Carol Brooks-Gardner
23 Constructing Sexually Marginalized Catholics - Donileen R. Loseke and James C. Cavendish
24 The Beliefs of Recovery Religion - Kathleen S. Lowney
VII. Social Problems and Troubled People
Introduction
25 Medicalizing Childhood - Dorothy Pawluch
26 Teaching Gifted Children - Leslie Margolin
27 Constructing Insanity in Involuntary Commitment Hearings - James A. Holstein
28 Formula Stories and Support Groups for Battered Women - Donileen'R. Loseke
VIII. Evaluating Constructionist Perspectives on Social Problems
Introduction
29 "Crack Babies" and the Politics of Mothering - Jacqueline Litt and Maureen McNeil
30 The Symbolic Meanings of "Pedophile Priests" - Philip Jenkins
31 Horror Stories and the Construction of Child Abuse - John M. Johnson
32 Constructing the "Jewish Problem" in Nazi Germany - Ronald J. Berger