Many serious social problems threaten the United States and the world. By studying these problems, students will gain the tools and the insight that will enable them to analyze problems and solutions on their own. Intended to be a training manual for the study of social problems, this book 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 regarding solutions to today's problems. Students will study this constantly changing field by applying social science research to the solutions of some of the most difficult, agonizing, and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.

Table of Contents:
Each chapter concludes with “Linkages” and “Study and Review.” 1.Approaches to the Study of Social Problems. What Is a Social Problem? Personal Troubles, Public Issues, and Social Problems. The Social Context of Social Problems. The Sociological Imagination. Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Using the Theoretical Perspectives. Constructing Social Problems: The Mass Media and Other Influences. Research on Social Problems. The Scientific Method. Values, Interest Groups, and Objectivity. Applied Research: Untangling Myths and Facts about Social Problems. Assessing Data: Problems and Pitfalls. Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems. What Can We Do about Social Problems? The Interplay of Social Policy and Research. Who Provides Solutions? Policy Issues: Domestic Violence: How to Intervene? Should We Solve the Problem? International Perspectives: Social Problems in Other Societies. 2.Growth of Corporate and Government Power. Types of Economic Systems. Capitalism. Myths and Facts: About Business and Government. Socialism. Mixed Economies. The Concentration of Economic and Political Power. The Corporate Economy. Unionization. Big Government. Perspectives on the Concentration of Power. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. International Perspectives: Global Economic Concentration. Is There a Power Elite in the United States? Applied Research: The Power Elite, Corporate Mass Media, and Global Communications. The World Economic System. Problems Created by the Concentration of Power. Effects on Competition. Conflict Between Societal and Corporate Goals. Threats to Democratic Institutions. The Dwindling of Unions. Worker Dislocation and Unemployment. Abuse of Government Authority. Future Prospects. Reducing Government and Deficits. Government Reorganization. Collective Action by Citizens. The Globalization of Labor. Economic Reorganization. Policy Issues: Should the Government Take the Lead in U.S. Reindustrialization? 3.Family-Related Problems. The Family in Society. The Functionalist Perspective. Myths and Facts: About the Family. The Conflict Perspective. Applied Research: Day Care: Problem or Solution? The Interactionist Perspective. Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family. Divorce. The Divorce Rate. Who Gets Divorced? The Effects of Divorce. Emerging Family Lifestyles. Dual-Earner Families. Singlehood. Cohabitation. Single Parenthood. A Global Perspective. Violence in the Family. Marital Violence. Child Abuse. Policy Issues: Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized? Abuse of the Elderly. Constructing Family Problems: Media Images. Future Prospects. The Future of Divorce. Reducing Family Violence. Children and the Family. International Perspectives: Families and Children in Other Societies. 4.Health and Illness. Perspectives on Health Care. The Functionalist Perspective. Myths and Facts: About Health and Health Care. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Politics, Stigma, and the AIDS Epidemic. Health, Illness, and Society. Applied Research: Combatting the Spread of AIDS. Health and Societal Development. Social Factors in Health and Illness. Mental Illness. The Nature of Mental Illness. The Treatment of Mental Disorders. Problems in Health Care. Rising Health-Care Costs. Access to Medical Services. Quality of Medical Services. Gender Inequality in Health Care. The Corporatization of Health Care. Bioethics: Technology and Health. The Prolongation of Life. Whom Shall We Treat? Future Prospects. Publicly Funded Health Insurance. International Perspectives: Paying for Health Care in Other Societies. Compulsory, Employer-Financed Health Insurance. HMOs and Managed Care. New Health-Care Practitioners. Policy Issues: Should Health Care Be for Profit? Self-Care and Changing Life-Styles. 5.Poverty. The Extent of Poverty. Myths and Facts: About the Poor. Defining Poverty. The Extent of Poverty in the United States. A Global View of Poverty. Who Are the Poor? Social Characteristics. Social Circumstances. The Causes of Poverty. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective and Cultural Analysis. Future Prospects. Full Employment. Applied Research: Structural Sources of Entrenched Poverty. Education, Training, and Jobs. Income-Maintenance Programs. Policy Issues: Does Welfare Work? Collective Action. International Perspectives: Poverty and Welfare in Other Societies. 6.Race and Ethnic Relations. Minority Groups. Race and Ethnicity. Myths and Facts: About Race and Ethnicity. Sources of Prejudice and Discrimination. Social Sources. Psychological Sources. Consequences of Discrimination. Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States. African Americans. Hispanic Americans. American Indians. Asian Americans. Applied Research: Combating Prejudice and Discrimination. Today's Immigrants. The Social Construction of Minorities: Media Images. Future Prospects. Assimilation or Pluralism? Race Relations Today: Race or Class? Collective Protest and Civil Rights Legislation. Affirmative Action. School Programs and Busing. Policy Issues: Should the Government Intervene to Improve Opportunities for Minorities? International Perspectives: Switzerland: Cooperation in a Multiethnic Society. Improving the Economy. 7.Gender and Social Inequality. Men and Women in Society. The Biological Perspective. Myths and Facts: About Gender Inequality. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. The Socialization of Men and Women. The Family. The Schools. The Media. Applied Research: Fighting Sexism in Higher Education. The Extent of Gender Inequality in the United States. Economic Discrimination. Discrimination in the Military. Other Types of Discrimination. Gender Inequality Involving Males. A Global Perspective on Gender Inequality. International Perspectives: The Treatment of Women in Other Societies. The Future of Gender Inequality. Collective Action and the Feminist Movement: A Global Struggle. Changes in the Law. Policy Issues: Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Changes in the Workplace. The Changing Face of Politics. Masculine, Feminine, or Human? 8.Age, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality. Age, Life Course, and Social Structure. The Functionalist Perspective. Myths and Facts: About Age and Social Orientation. The Conflict Perspective. The Age Structure of Society. Problems of the Young. Economic Exploitation. Family Instability. Poverty. Sexual Exploitation. Child Abuse. Problems of the Elderly. Work and Retirement. Applied Research: How Well off Are Children and Youth in the United States? Poverty and Financial Problems. Social Isolation. Domestic Violence. Health Problems. Fear of Crime. Institutions and Nursing Homes. Homosexuality and Homophobia. Theories of Sexual Orientation. Societal Reaction to Homosexuality. The Gay Community. Future Prospects. Reducing Risks for Children and Youth. Economic Resources of the Elderly. Policy Issues: Should Medicare or Social Security Be Based on Age Rather Than Need? Health Care of the Elderly. Living Arrangements of the Elderly. Collective Action by the Elderly. International Perspectives: Public and Familial Assistance for the Elderly in Other Societies. Collective Action by Gays and Lesbians. 9.Crime and Delinquency. Explanations of Crime. The Functionalist Perspective. Myths and Facts: About Crime. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Types of Crime. Violent and Property Crime. Organized Crime. White-Collar Crime. Victimless Crime. Juvenile Delinquency. The Crime Rate in the United States. Who Are the Criminals? Gender. Age. Socioeconomic Status. Race. Who Are the Victims? The Criminal Justice System. The Police. The Courts. The Prisons. Policy Issues: Should States Let Private Companies Run Correctional Facilities? Constructing the Crime Problem: The Role of the Mass Media. Future Prospects. Social Reform. Legalization of Some Crimes. International Perspectives: Crime in Other Societies. Better Law Enforcement. Judicial Reform. Alternatives to Prison. Prison Reform. Applied Research: Does the Death Penalty Deter Crime? Environmental Opportunities. Victim Restitution. Citizen Action. 10.Alcohol and Other Drugs. Drugs and Their Consequences. Drug Use and Abuse. Myths and Facts: About Drug Abuse. The Societal Costs of Drug Abuse. The Extent of Drug Abuse in the United States. Alcohol. Marijuana and Hashish. Stimulants. Depressants. Applied Research: Discovering the Role of Drugs in Crime and Violence. Narcotics. Hallucinogens. Explanations of Drug Abuse. Biological Explanations. Psychological Explanations. Sociological Explanations. International Perspectives: The Political Economy of the Global Drug Trade. Future Prospects. Prohibition: The War on Drugs and Alcohol. Legalization. Policy Issues: Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized in the United States? Primary Prevention. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Communities. Behavior Modification. Social Policy and Public Pressure. Social Reform. 11.Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade. Variety in Human Sexuality. A Cross-Cultural View. Myths and Facts: About Prostitution and Pornography. Sexual Standards and Variety in the United States. Prostitution. Extent of Prostitution. Who Becomes a Prostitute? Pornography. Defining Pornography. International Perspectives: The Global Sex Industry. Pornography and Censorship. Pornography and Sexual Violence. Perspectives on Sexual Deviance. The Functionalist Perspective. Applied Research: Does Pornography Lead to Violence against Women? The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Future Prospects. Policy Issues: Should We Censor Pornography on the Internet? 12.Population Growth and Urbanization. Population Growth. Elements of Demographic Change. Myths and Facts: About Population Growth and Urbanization. World Population Growth. The Demographic Transition. The Extent of Overpopulation. The Growth of Cities. Urbanization. Suburbanization. The Postindustrial City. Perspectives on Population and Urban Problems. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Consequences of World Population Growth. Crowding. Food Shortages. Depletion of Resources. Intergroup Conflict. Problems in Cities in the United States. Economic Decline. Housing. Segregation. Crime. Educational Problems. Future Prospects. Population Problems. Applied Research: Working to Improve Urban Life. International Perspectives: Population Policy and Family Planning in China. Urban Problems. Policy Issues: Should the Government Regulate Growth and Development in Urban Areas? 13.Environmental Problems. The Ecosystem. Myths and Facts: About the Environment. Social Resources of Environmental Problems. Population Growth. Affluence. Technology. Economic Growth. Cultural Values. Perspectives on Environmental Problems. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Social Construction of Environmental Problems. Extent of Environmental Problems. Water Supply and Pollution. Solid and Toxic Wastes. Nuclear Wastes. Applied Research: Assessing the Extent of Environmental Justice: Race, Class, and Pollution. Land Degradation. Declining Biodiversity. Air Pollution. Pesticides and Other Chemicals. Energy Resources. Future Prospects. Collective Action by Interest Groups. Moderating Economic Growth. Government Regulation. Environmental Partnerships. Policy Issues: Do We Need Government Regulation to Control Environmental Problems? International Perspectives: Environmental Practices and Policies in Other Societies. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Renewable Energy Resources. International Cooperation. New Cultural Values and Social Institutions. 14.Violence, War, and Terrorism. The Extent of Violence. Civil Disorders. Myths and Facts: About Collective Violence and War. Political Violence. War. The Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Terrorism. International Perspectives: The Global Arms Trade and the Military Industrial Complex. Explanations of Collective Violence and War. Biological Approaches. Social Sources of Collective Violence and War. Applied Research: The Los Angeles Riot: Failing to Act on What We Know. Theoretical Perspectives on Collective Violence and War. Constructing War: The Role of the Mass Media. The Consequences of War. Death, Injury, and Social Dislocation. Crime. Political Turmoil. Economic Problems. Nuclear Annihilation. Future Prospects. Social Reform and Social Justice. Gun Control. Media Control. Preventing War. Policy Issues: Should We Set a Goal of World-Wide Nuclear Disarmament? 15.Education, Science, and Technology. Growth of Education and Technology. Myths and Facts: About Education, Science, and Technology. Perspectives on Education, Science, and Technology. The Functionalist Perspective. The Conflict Perspective. The Interactionist Perspective. Problems in Education. The Credentials Race. Tracking. Applied Research: Evaluating the Equality of Educational Opportunities in the United States. Effectiveness: Low Performance and Dropouts. Race, Ethnicity, and Segregation. Violence in the Schools. Problems of Science and Technology. Unemployment. Alienation. Loss of Control. Loss of Privacy. Should We Play God? The Case of Genetic Engineering. Future Prospects. Reforms and Trends in Education. Policy Issues: Biotechnology Raises the Issue: Whose Life Is It Anyway? International Perspectives: Education in Other Societies. Science and Technology. Glossary. Bibliography. Photo Credits. Name Index. Subject Index.