For undergraduate survey courses in social problems.   Features an applied approach that looks at the interplay between research and policy in finding solutions, along with a built-in student study guide.   Sullivan’s Introduction to Social Problems explores the nature and extent of social problems, documents the advances and setbacks that we have made as a society, and analyzes what works and what doesn't work regarding solutions to today's problems. The author, an applied sociologist, shows how scientific research is used to address and correct some of the most difficult and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.  Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with Pearson eText (at no additional cost). ValuePack ISBN-10: 020586354X / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205863549

Table of Contents:
IN THIS SECTION: 1. BRIEF 2. COMPREHENSIVE     BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:     CHAPTER 1:   Approaches to the Study of Social Problems CHAPTER 2:   Growth of Corporate and Government Power  CHAPTER 3:   Family-Related Problems CHAPTER 4:   Health and Illness CHAPTER 5:   Education, Science, and Technology CHAPTER 6:   Poverty  CHAPTER 7:   Race and Ethnic Relations CHAPTER 8:   Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality  CHAPTER 9:   Age And Social Inequality CHAPTER 10: Crime and Delinquency  CHAPTER 11: Alcohol and Other Drugs CHAPTER 12: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade CHAPTER 13: Population Growth and Urbanization CHAPTER 14: Environmental Problems CHAPTER 15: Violence, War, and Terrorism   COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:   Contents Preface  About the Author    CHAPTER 1:  Approaches to the Study of Social Problems                             What Is a Social Problem?                                Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems                               Research on Social Problems                                 APPLIED RESEARCH: Untangling Myths and Facts About Social Problems                                 Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems                                 POLICY ISSUES: Domestic Violence: How to Intervene?                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet      CHAPTER 2: Growth of Corporate and Government Power                             Types of Economic Systems                                MYTHS AND FACTS: About Business and Government                                The Concentration of Economic and Political Power                                Perspectives on the Concentration of Power                                INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Global Economic Concentration                                APPLIED RESEARCH Corporate Concentration and Globalization of the Media                                Problems Created by the Concentration of Power                                Future Prospects                                Policy issues What Role Should the Government Play in the Global Economy?                                Study and Review                                Researching Social Problems on the Internet      CHAPTER 3: Family-Related Problems                             The Family in Society                                MYTHS AND FACTS About the Family                                  APPLIED RESEARCH Day Care: Problem or Solution?                                Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family                                Divorce                                Diverse Family Lifestyles                                Violence in the Family                                  POLICY ISSUES Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized?                                Constructing Family Problems: Media Images                                Future Prospects                                INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Families and Children in Other Societies                                Study and Review                                Researching Social Problems on the Internet      CHAPTER 4: Health and Illness                             Perspectives on Health Care                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Health and Health Care                                Health, Illness, and Society                                  APPLIED RESEARCH Combating the Spread of AIDS                                Mental Illness                                Problems in Health Care                                   Bioethics: Technology and Health                                    Future Prospects                                   INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Paying for Health Care in Other Societies                                  POLICY ISSUES Should Health Care Be for Profit?                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet       CHAPTER 5: Education, Science, and Technology                             MYTHS AND FACTS About Education, Science, and Technology                                 Growth of Education and Technology                                 Perspectives on Education, Science, and Technology                                 Problems in Education                                   APPLIED RESEARCH Evaluating the Equality of Educational Opportunities in the United States                                 Problems of Science and Technology                                    Future Prospects                                 POLICY ISSUES Biotechnology Raises the Issue: Whose Life Is It, Anyway?                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Education in Other Societies                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet       CHAPTER 6: Poverty                             The Extent of Poverty                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About the Poor                                 Who Are the Poor?                                    The Causes of Poverty                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Structural Sources of Entrenched Poverty                                 Future Prospects                                  POLICY ISSUES Welfare Reform: How Well Is It Working?                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Poverty and Welfare in Other Societies                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 7: Race and Ethnic Relations                             Minority Groups                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Race and Ethnicity                                 Sources of Prejudice and Discrimination                                 Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Combating Prejudice and Discrimination                                 Future Prospects                                 POLICY ISSUES Should the Government Intervene to Improve Opportunities for Minorities?                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Switzerland: Cooperation in a Multiethnic Society                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 8: Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality                             Men and Women in Society                                   MYTHS AND FACTS About Gender Inequality                                   The Socialization of Men and Women                                  APPLIED RESEARCH Fighting Sexism in Higher Education                                 The Extent of Gender Inequality in the United States                                  A Global Perspective on Gender Inequality                                  Homosexuality and Homophobia                                  Future Prospects                                  INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Treatment of Women in Other Societies                                 POLICY ISSUES Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 9: Age And Social Inequality                             Age, Life Course, and Social Structure                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Age and Sexual Orientation                                 Problems of the Young                                 APPLIED RESEARCH How Well Off Are Children and Youth in the United States?                                 Problems of the Elderly                                   Future Prospects                                 POLICY ISSUES Should Medicare or Social Security Be Based on Age Rather than Need?                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Public and Familial Assistance for the Elderly in Other Societies                                    Study and Review                                  Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 10: Crime and Delinquency                             Explanations of Crime                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Crime                                 Types of Crime                                 Who Are the Criminals?                                 The Criminal Justice System                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Does the Death Penalty Deter Crime?                                 POLICY ISSUES Should States Let Private Companies Run Correctional Facilities?                                Future Prospects                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Crime in Other Societies                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 11: Alcohol and Other Drugs                             Drugs and Their Consequences                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Drug Abuse                                 The Extent of Drug Abuse in the United States                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Discovering the Role of Drugs in Crime and Violence                                 Explanations of Drug Abuse                                 Future Prospects                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Political Economy of the Global Drug Trade                                 POLICY ISSUES Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized in the United States?                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 12: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade                             Variety in Human Sexuality                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About Prostitution and Pornography                                 Prostitution                                 Pornography                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Global Sex Industry                                    Perspectives on Sexual Deviance                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Does Pornography Lead to Violence Against Women?                                 Future Prospects                                 POLICY ISSUES How Should We Regulate Pornography in an Internet and Cell Phone World?                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 13: Population Growth and Urbanization                             MYTHS AND FACTS About Population Growth and Urbanization                                 Population Growth                                 The Growth of Cities                                 Perspectives on Population and Urban Problems                                 Consequences of World Population Growth                                 Problems in Cities of the United States                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Working to Improve Urban Life                                 Future Prospects                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Population Policy and Family Planning in China                                 POLICY ISSUES Should the Government Regulate Growth and Development in Urban Areas?                                  Study and Review                                  Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 14: Environmental Problems                             The Ecosystem                                 MYTHS AND FACTS About the Environment                                 Social Sources of Environmental Problems                                 Perspectives on Environmental Problems                                 The Social Construction of Environmental Problems                                 Extent of Environmental Problems                                 APPLIED RESEARCH Assessing the Extent of Environmental Justice: Race, Class, and Pollution                                 Future Prospects                                 POLICY ISSUES Do We Need Government Regulation to Control Environmental Problems?                                 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Environmental Practices and Policies in Other Societies                                 Study and Review                                 Researching Social Problems on the Internet     CHAPTER 15: Violence, War, and Terrorism                              The Extent of Violence                                   MYTHS AND FACTS About Collective Violence and War                                   INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Global Arms Trade and the Military–Industrial Complex                                   Explanations of Collective Violence and War                                   APPLIED RESEARCH The Social Roots of Terrorist Violence                                   The Consequences of War and Terrorism                                   Future Prospects                                   POLICY ISSUES War and Terrorism in a Nuclear Age                                   Study and Review                                   Researching Social Problems on the Internet