Social Problems
Finding Solutions, Taking Action
Published on 13. October 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-0-19-005635-3 (ISBN)
Description
This new social problems book emphasizes how students can better understand social problems if they have a strong foundation in sociological theory. Ideal for students who are taking their first sociology course, it also presents a basic introduction to the discipline. The book highlights the social construction of social problems by taking a comparative approach - how are the problems we identify in US society understood and dealt with in other parts of the world? Finally, there is a heavy emphasis on solutions to social problems, providing students with the tools to think critically about how social problems can be effectively addressed.
Reviews / Votes
Social Problems is unique in that it includes a discussion of past and current solutions to each social problem. Students are interested in solving problems, not just reading about them. * Diane W. Lindley, ^lUniversity of Mississippi* Social Problems is practical/pragmatic; empathetic and in-tune to students' approach to learning. This text provides hope and optimism and empowerment for students. * John Mitrano, ^lCentral Connecticut State University
* I love the accessible writing style in Social Problems. This text is a global and solutions-based approach to teaching social problems. * Amy Ruedisueli, ^lTidewater Community College
* Social Problems is comprehensive, with a strong theoretical foundation that encourages a global perspective. The author's writing style demonstrates consistency and fosters critical thinking via the discussion of possible solutions. * J. Russell Willis, ^lGrambling State
*
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-19-005635-3 (9780190056353)
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
Content
- Preface
- CHAPTER 1
- What Is Sociology and Why Should I Care?
- What is Sociology?
- Stories as Tools
- The Sociological Perspective
- The Sociological Imagination
- What's Theory Got to Do with It?
- Structural Functionalism
- Conflict Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism
- Other Important Sociological Theories
- Feminist Theory
- Critical Theory
- Critical Race Theory
- Queer Theory
- Postmodern Theory
- How Sociologists Do Their Thing: Research Methods
- Surveys
- Experimental Methods
- Qualitative Research
- Ethnography/Participant Observation
- Interviews
- Using Research Methods in the Real World: Does This Program Really Work?
- What Is a Social Problem?
- The Evolution of a Social Problem
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- CHAPTER 2
- Why Is Crime Always in the News? Crime and Interpersonal Violence
- The Extent of Crime in the United States
- Crime Trends
- Are People Afraid of Crime?
- Why Is Crime Bad?
- Harm
- Costs
- The Public's Role in the Crime Problem
- Types of Crime
- Violent Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Public Order Crime
- Juvenile Crime
- Occupational (White Collar) and Corporate Crime
- Cybercrime
- What Roles Does Sociological Theory Play In Understanding Crime?
- Anomie and Strain Theory
- Conflict Theory and Crime
- Symbolic Interactionism and Crime
- The Criminal Justice System and its Impact on Crime
- The Police
- Courts
- Corrections
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Crime
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program
- Perry Preschool Project
- Hot Spots Policing
- Popular But Less Effective Programs
- D.A.R.E.
- Juvenile Boot Camps
- Weed and Seed
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: School Shootings
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Why is Crime in Japan so Low Compared to the United States?
- CHAPTER 3
- Are More People Getting High? Drug and Alcohol Abuse
- Why Alcohol and Drug Abuse are Social Problems
- Tobacco Use and Abuse
- Lawsuits and the Tobacco Industry
- E-cigarettes/Vaping
- Smokeless Tobacco
- Alcohol Use and Abuse
- Extent of Use
- Driving Under the Influence
- Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
- Behavioral Treatments
- Drug Use and Abuse
- The Opioid Epidemic
- Marijuana Use and Abuse
- Society's Response to Drug Abuse: The War on Drugs
- Sociological Theory and Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Functionalism and Drug Abuse
- Conflict Theory and Drug Abuse
- Symbolic Interactionism and Drug Abuse
- Critical Race Theory and Drug Abuse
- What Works? Effective Solutions To Address Alcoholism And Drug Addiction
- Tobacco Use: Breaking The Habit
- Opioid Addiction: Combining Approaches
- Alcohol Abuse: Limiting Access
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Marijuana and Enforcement Disparity
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Marijuana Use in Other Countries
- CHAPTER 4
- Why Are There So Many Poor People? Poverty and Inequality
- The Extent of Poverty in the United States
- The American Way and the American Dream: Middle Class Perceptions of Poverty and the Poor
- Social Class/Social Inequality in the United States
- Personal Attribution
- Systemic Attribution
- Defining Poverty
- The Poverty Line
- Profiling the Poor
- Children and the Poor
- Homelessness: The Other Side of Poverty
- A Profile of the Homeless
- Sociological Theory and Poverty
- Functionalism and Poverty
- Conflict Theory and Poverty
- Cultural Explanations
- Postmodernism and Poverty
- How We Help the Poor: Welfare and Social Policy
- How Did We Get Here?
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Poverty
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Law Enforcement and the Homeless
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Finland's Universal Basic Income
- CHAPTER 5
- Do You Want Fries with That? Work and the Economy
- The Nature of Economic Systems
- Traditional Economy
- Command Economy
- Socialism
- Market Economy
- Mixed Economy
- Comparing Capitalism and Socialism
- The Best of Both Worlds? Democratic Socialism
- Work and Employment in the United States
- The Impact of Globalization
- Deindustrialization
- The Impact of Economic Changes on Workers
- Automation and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
- A Living Wage
- The Gig Economy and Part-time Workers
- Unemployment and Underemployment
- Unions and the Protection of Workers
- The Underground Economy
- Sociological Theory, Work, and the Economy
- Functionalism and Work
- Conflict Theory and Work
- Symbolic Interactionism and Work
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Workplace Problems
- Flextime and Telecommuting
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fair Pay
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Social Democracy in Action
- CHAPTER 6
- Can't We All Just Get Along? Racial and Ethnic Inequalities
- Definitional Matters
- Race and Ethnicity
- The Social Construction of Race
- Minority Groups
- Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
- White Privilege and White Fragility
- Is the Problem about Race or Social Class?
- Institutional Discrimination and Systemic Racism
- Housing
- Education
- Employment and Income
- Criminal Justice
- Health Care and Illness
- Sociological Theory and Race
- Functionalism and Race
- Conflict Theory and Race
- Critical Race Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism and Race
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
- Affirmative Action
- Education
- Workplace Diversity Training
- Media Campaigns
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Policing While White
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Racial Tolerance
- CHAPTER 7
- Can I Stay A Little Longer? Immigration and Refugees
- An Overview of Immigration in the United States
- History of Immigration in the United States
- The Extent of Immigration in the United States Today
- Immigrants: A Profile
- Immigration and Politics
- Public Opinion and Immigration
- Refugees
- Immigrants and the Criminal Justice System
- Deportations
- Detentions
- Federal, State, and Local Policies and Immigration
- Sociological Theory and Immigration
- Functionalism and Immigration
- Conflict Theory and Immigration
- Symbolic Interactionism and Immigration
- Critical Race Theory and Immigration
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Address Problems of Immigration
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Families at the Border
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: The Refugee Crisis in Yemen
- CHAPTER 8
- Does Education Really Lead to a Better Life? Educational Inequalities
- An Overview of Education in the United States
- History of Public Education in the United States
- The Impact of Educational Inequalities in the United States
- Race and Educational Inequality
- Challenges to Public Education
- No Child Left Behind Act
- School Violence and School Shootings
- Zero-Tolerance Policies and Academic Achievement
- How Do Us and International Schools Compare?
- Why Do Some Public Schools Fail?
- Structural Factors
- Cultural and Individual Factors
- Responses to Challenges in Public Education
- Charter Schools
- School Vouchers
- Home Schooling
- English First Movement
- The Problem Does Not End in High School: Higher Education Issues
- Is a College Education Really Worth It?
- The High Cost of Dropping Out of College
- For-Profit Colleges and Online Education
- Sociological Theory and Education
- Functionalism and Education
- Conflict Theory and Education
- Symbolic Interactionism and Education
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Address Problems Of Education
- K-12 Programs
- Higher Education Programs
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Principal or Police?
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: How US Students Are Falling Behind
- CHAPTER 9
- Why Can't a Woman Do That? Gender Inequalities
- DEFINING GENDER
- Differences Between Boys and Girls
- The Women's Movement in the United States
- Gender Socialization and Social Institutions
- Parents and Caretakers
- Peers
- Media
- Schools
- Gender, Life Chances, and Inequalities
- Work and Income
- Family and Career
- Military
- Crime and Victimization
- Female criminality
- CONTENTS
- Sexual Harassment
- Sociological Theory and Gender
- Functionalism and Gender
- Conflict Theory and Gender
- Symbolic Interactionism and Gender
- Feminist Theory and Gender
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Gender Inequality
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Gender Stereotypes and Children
- CHAPTER 10
- Love Is Love: Sexuality and Sexual Behavior
- Defining Sexual Orientation
- The History of LGBTQ People in the United States
- Challenges Facing LGTBQ People
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Same-Sex Marriages and Parenting
- Housing Discrimination
- Discrimination in The Military
- Criminal Victimization and Hate Crime
- Challenges for LGBTQ People in the Criminal Justice System
- LGBTQ People and the Police
- The Courts and LGBTQ People
- LGBTQ People and Prison Life
- Sociological Theory and Sexuality
- Functionalism and Sexuality
- Conflict Theory and Sexuality
- Symbolic Interactionism and Sexuality
- Feminist and Queer Theory and Sexuality
- What Works? Effective Solutions to LGBTQ Inequality
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Adoption and the LGBTQ Community
- CHAPTER 11
- Is Our Understanding of Family Changing?
- Defining Family
- Changes To Families
- The Decline of Marriage and the Birthrate
- Cohabitation and Childbearing
- Divorce
- Women in the Workforce
- Same-Sex Marriages
- Single-Parent Families
- Grandparent-led Families
- Family Problems
- Family Violence
- Child Neglect and Abuse
- Types of Neglect
- Reasons for Neglect
- Types of Child Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Intervention in Abuse Cases
- Teachers
- Medical Personnel
- Law Enforcement
- Foster Care
- Sociological Theory and the Family
- Functionalism and the Family
- Conflict and Feminist Theories and the Family
- Symbolic Interactionism and the Family
- Queer Theory and the Family
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Family Problems
- Family Skills Education
- Aging Out of Foster Care
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fostering a troubled child
- CHAPTER 12
- Is 70 the New 40? Population and Aging
- The Aging American Population
- The Elderly as Baby Boomers and Generation X
- Economics of Aging
- Income
- Older Americans in the Workforce
- Retirement Savings
- Crime And the Elderly
- Elderly Victims
- Elder Abuse
- Elderly Offenders
- Health Care and Aging
- Long-Term Care
- Dementia
- Death and Dying
- Family Relations and Aging
- Widowhood
- Social Isolation
- Sociological Theory and Aging
- Functionalism and Aging
- Conflict Theory and Aging
- Feminist Theory and Aging
- Symbolic Interactionism and Aging
- What Works? Effective Solutions to the Probloms of Aging
- Meals on Wheels
- Physical Activity Programs for the Elderly
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fighting Poverty and Loneliness
- CHAPTER 13
- Are You Feeling Okay? Health and Health Care
- The Costs of Health Care in the United States
- The Specialization of Medicine
- Longevity and the Aging of America
- Inequalities and Health Care in America
- Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Class
- How To Address The Spiraling Costs of Health Care
- The History of Health Insurance in America
- Private Insurance
- Public Insurance: Medicare and Medicaid
- The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare
- The GOP Alternative to Obamacare
- Misinformation, Skepticism, and Denial
- Sociological Theory and Health Care in The United States
- Functionalism and Health Care
- Conflict Theory and Health Care
- Symbolic Interactionism and Health Care
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Problems of Health Care
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Financing Medical Care
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Health Care in Singapore
- CHAPTER 14
- What's that Smell? The Environmental Crisis
- Environmental Issues
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- Addressing Climate Change and Climate Skeptics
- Air Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Land Pollution
- Radioactive Waste
- Environmental Racism
- Sociological Theory and Environmental Problems
- Functionalism and the Environment
- Conflict Theory and the Environment
- Symbolic Interactionism and the Environment
- What Works? Addressing Environmental Problems
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Profit or People?
- CHAPTER 15
- Do We Need to Be Afraid? War and Terrorism
- War as a Social Problem
- Costs
- Harm
- Technology and Warfare
- Terrorism
- Costs of Terrorism
- Types of Terrorism
- Fear and Public Opinion about Terrorism in the United States
- Sociological Theory on War and Terrorism
- Functionalism, War, and Terrorism
- Conflict Theory, War, and Terrorism
- Symbolic Interactionism, War, and Terrorism
- What Works? Effective Solutions to the Problems of War and Terrorism
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Incidences of Terror Around the Globe
- Glossary
- References
- Credits 485
- Index
- CHAPTER 1
- What Is Sociology and Why Should I Care?
- What is Sociology?
- Stories as Tools
- The Sociological Perspective
- The Sociological Imagination
- What's Theory Got to Do with It?
- Structural Functionalism
- Conflict Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism
- Other Important Sociological Theories
- Feminist Theory
- Critical Theory
- Critical Race Theory
- Queer Theory
- Postmodern Theory
- How Sociologists Do Their Thing: Research Methods
- Surveys
- Experimental Methods
- Qualitative Research
- Ethnography/Participant Observation
- Interviews
- Using Research Methods in the Real World: Does This Program Really Work?
- What Is a Social Problem?
- The Evolution of a Social Problem
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- CHAPTER 2
- Why Is Crime Always in the News? Crime and Interpersonal Violence
- The Extent of Crime in the United States
- Crime Trends
- Are People Afraid of Crime?
- Why Is Crime Bad?
- Harm
- Costs
- The Public's Role in the Crime Problem
- Types of Crime
- Violent Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Public Order Crime
- Juvenile Crime
- Occupational (White Collar) and Corporate Crime
- Cybercrime
- What Roles Does Sociological Theory Play In Understanding Crime?
- Anomie and Strain Theory
- Conflict Theory and Crime
- Symbolic Interactionism and Crime
- The Criminal Justice System and its Impact on Crime
- The Police
- Courts
- Corrections
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Crime
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program
- Perry Preschool Project
- Hot Spots Policing
- Popular But Less Effective Programs
- D.A.R.E.
- Juvenile Boot Camps
- Weed and Seed
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: School Shootings
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Why is Crime in Japan so Low Compared to the United States?
- CHAPTER 3
- Are More People Getting High? Drug and Alcohol Abuse
- Why Alcohol and Drug Abuse are Social Problems
- Tobacco Use and Abuse
- Lawsuits and the Tobacco Industry
- E-cigarettes/Vaping
- Smokeless Tobacco
- Alcohol Use and Abuse
- Extent of Use
- Driving Under the Influence
- Treatment of Alcohol Abuse
- Behavioral Treatments
- Drug Use and Abuse
- The Opioid Epidemic
- Marijuana Use and Abuse
- Society's Response to Drug Abuse: The War on Drugs
- Sociological Theory and Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Functionalism and Drug Abuse
- Conflict Theory and Drug Abuse
- Symbolic Interactionism and Drug Abuse
- Critical Race Theory and Drug Abuse
- What Works? Effective Solutions To Address Alcoholism And Drug Addiction
- Tobacco Use: Breaking The Habit
- Opioid Addiction: Combining Approaches
- Alcohol Abuse: Limiting Access
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Marijuana and Enforcement Disparity
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Marijuana Use in Other Countries
- CHAPTER 4
- Why Are There So Many Poor People? Poverty and Inequality
- The Extent of Poverty in the United States
- The American Way and the American Dream: Middle Class Perceptions of Poverty and the Poor
- Social Class/Social Inequality in the United States
- Personal Attribution
- Systemic Attribution
- Defining Poverty
- The Poverty Line
- Profiling the Poor
- Children and the Poor
- Homelessness: The Other Side of Poverty
- A Profile of the Homeless
- Sociological Theory and Poverty
- Functionalism and Poverty
- Conflict Theory and Poverty
- Cultural Explanations
- Postmodernism and Poverty
- How We Help the Poor: Welfare and Social Policy
- How Did We Get Here?
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Poverty
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Law Enforcement and the Homeless
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Finland's Universal Basic Income
- CHAPTER 5
- Do You Want Fries with That? Work and the Economy
- The Nature of Economic Systems
- Traditional Economy
- Command Economy
- Socialism
- Market Economy
- Mixed Economy
- Comparing Capitalism and Socialism
- The Best of Both Worlds? Democratic Socialism
- Work and Employment in the United States
- The Impact of Globalization
- Deindustrialization
- The Impact of Economic Changes on Workers
- Automation and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
- A Living Wage
- The Gig Economy and Part-time Workers
- Unemployment and Underemployment
- Unions and the Protection of Workers
- The Underground Economy
- Sociological Theory, Work, and the Economy
- Functionalism and Work
- Conflict Theory and Work
- Symbolic Interactionism and Work
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Workplace Problems
- Flextime and Telecommuting
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fair Pay
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Social Democracy in Action
- CHAPTER 6
- Can't We All Just Get Along? Racial and Ethnic Inequalities
- Definitional Matters
- Race and Ethnicity
- The Social Construction of Race
- Minority Groups
- Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
- White Privilege and White Fragility
- Is the Problem about Race or Social Class?
- Institutional Discrimination and Systemic Racism
- Housing
- Education
- Employment and Income
- Criminal Justice
- Health Care and Illness
- Sociological Theory and Race
- Functionalism and Race
- Conflict Theory and Race
- Critical Race Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism and Race
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
- Affirmative Action
- Education
- Workplace Diversity Training
- Media Campaigns
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Policing While White
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Racial Tolerance
- CHAPTER 7
- Can I Stay A Little Longer? Immigration and Refugees
- An Overview of Immigration in the United States
- History of Immigration in the United States
- The Extent of Immigration in the United States Today
- Immigrants: A Profile
- Immigration and Politics
- Public Opinion and Immigration
- Refugees
- Immigrants and the Criminal Justice System
- Deportations
- Detentions
- Federal, State, and Local Policies and Immigration
- Sociological Theory and Immigration
- Functionalism and Immigration
- Conflict Theory and Immigration
- Symbolic Interactionism and Immigration
- Critical Race Theory and Immigration
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Address Problems of Immigration
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Families at the Border
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: The Refugee Crisis in Yemen
- CHAPTER 8
- Does Education Really Lead to a Better Life? Educational Inequalities
- An Overview of Education in the United States
- History of Public Education in the United States
- The Impact of Educational Inequalities in the United States
- Race and Educational Inequality
- Challenges to Public Education
- No Child Left Behind Act
- School Violence and School Shootings
- Zero-Tolerance Policies and Academic Achievement
- How Do Us and International Schools Compare?
- Why Do Some Public Schools Fail?
- Structural Factors
- Cultural and Individual Factors
- Responses to Challenges in Public Education
- Charter Schools
- School Vouchers
- Home Schooling
- English First Movement
- The Problem Does Not End in High School: Higher Education Issues
- Is a College Education Really Worth It?
- The High Cost of Dropping Out of College
- For-Profit Colleges and Online Education
- Sociological Theory and Education
- Functionalism and Education
- Conflict Theory and Education
- Symbolic Interactionism and Education
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Address Problems Of Education
- K-12 Programs
- Higher Education Programs
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Principal or Police?
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: How US Students Are Falling Behind
- CHAPTER 9
- Why Can't a Woman Do That? Gender Inequalities
- DEFINING GENDER
- Differences Between Boys and Girls
- The Women's Movement in the United States
- Gender Socialization and Social Institutions
- Parents and Caretakers
- Peers
- Media
- Schools
- Gender, Life Chances, and Inequalities
- Work and Income
- Family and Career
- Military
- Crime and Victimization
- Female criminality
- CONTENTS
- Sexual Harassment
- Sociological Theory and Gender
- Functionalism and Gender
- Conflict Theory and Gender
- Symbolic Interactionism and Gender
- Feminist Theory and Gender
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Gender Inequality
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Gender Stereotypes and Children
- CHAPTER 10
- Love Is Love: Sexuality and Sexual Behavior
- Defining Sexual Orientation
- The History of LGBTQ People in the United States
- Challenges Facing LGTBQ People
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Same-Sex Marriages and Parenting
- Housing Discrimination
- Discrimination in The Military
- Criminal Victimization and Hate Crime
- Challenges for LGBTQ People in the Criminal Justice System
- LGBTQ People and the Police
- The Courts and LGBTQ People
- LGBTQ People and Prison Life
- Sociological Theory and Sexuality
- Functionalism and Sexuality
- Conflict Theory and Sexuality
- Symbolic Interactionism and Sexuality
- Feminist and Queer Theory and Sexuality
- What Works? Effective Solutions to LGBTQ Inequality
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Adoption and the LGBTQ Community
- CHAPTER 11
- Is Our Understanding of Family Changing?
- Defining Family
- Changes To Families
- The Decline of Marriage and the Birthrate
- Cohabitation and Childbearing
- Divorce
- Women in the Workforce
- Same-Sex Marriages
- Single-Parent Families
- Grandparent-led Families
- Family Problems
- Family Violence
- Child Neglect and Abuse
- Types of Neglect
- Reasons for Neglect
- Types of Child Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Intervention in Abuse Cases
- Teachers
- Medical Personnel
- Law Enforcement
- Foster Care
- Sociological Theory and the Family
- Functionalism and the Family
- Conflict and Feminist Theories and the Family
- Symbolic Interactionism and the Family
- Queer Theory and the Family
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Family Problems
- Family Skills Education
- Aging Out of Foster Care
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fostering a troubled child
- CHAPTER 12
- Is 70 the New 40? Population and Aging
- The Aging American Population
- The Elderly as Baby Boomers and Generation X
- Economics of Aging
- Income
- Older Americans in the Workforce
- Retirement Savings
- Crime And the Elderly
- Elderly Victims
- Elder Abuse
- Elderly Offenders
- Health Care and Aging
- Long-Term Care
- Dementia
- Death and Dying
- Family Relations and Aging
- Widowhood
- Social Isolation
- Sociological Theory and Aging
- Functionalism and Aging
- Conflict Theory and Aging
- Feminist Theory and Aging
- Symbolic Interactionism and Aging
- What Works? Effective Solutions to the Probloms of Aging
- Meals on Wheels
- Physical Activity Programs for the Elderly
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Fighting Poverty and Loneliness
- CHAPTER 13
- Are You Feeling Okay? Health and Health Care
- The Costs of Health Care in the United States
- The Specialization of Medicine
- Longevity and the Aging of America
- Inequalities and Health Care in America
- Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Class
- How To Address The Spiraling Costs of Health Care
- The History of Health Insurance in America
- Private Insurance
- Public Insurance: Medicare and Medicaid
- The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare
- The GOP Alternative to Obamacare
- Misinformation, Skepticism, and Denial
- Sociological Theory and Health Care in The United States
- Functionalism and Health Care
- Conflict Theory and Health Care
- Symbolic Interactionism and Health Care
- What Works? Effective Solutions to Problems of Health Care
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Financing Medical Care
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Health Care in Singapore
- CHAPTER 14
- What's that Smell? The Environmental Crisis
- Environmental Issues
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- Addressing Climate Change and Climate Skeptics
- Air Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Land Pollution
- Radioactive Waste
- Environmental Racism
- Sociological Theory and Environmental Problems
- Functionalism and the Environment
- Conflict Theory and the Environment
- Symbolic Interactionism and the Environment
- What Works? Addressing Environmental Problems
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL: Profit or People?
- CHAPTER 15
- Do We Need to Be Afraid? War and Terrorism
- War as a Social Problem
- Costs
- Harm
- Technology and Warfare
- Terrorism
- Costs of Terrorism
- Types of Terrorism
- Fear and Public Opinion about Terrorism in the United States
- Sociological Theory on War and Terrorism
- Functionalism, War, and Terrorism
- Conflict Theory, War, and Terrorism
- Symbolic Interactionism, War, and Terrorism
- What Works? Effective Solutions to the Problems of War and Terrorism
- So What Can I Do?
- Conclusion
- Summary
- Key Terms
- Discussion Questions
- BOXES
- YOU MAKE THE CALL
- GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: Incidences of Terror Around the Globe
- Glossary
- References
- Credits 485
- Index