The approach offered by this book is threefold: 1.) to humanize the social problems with voices of experience, i.e. the poverty stricken, to the voices of change, i.e. the social workers, policy makers, student community volunteers; 2.) each chapter will address the consequences and responses to a social problem; 3.) to provide an effective platform for discussion thru the use of boxed features, learning checks integrated into chapter presentations, discussion questions, and the use of a limited virtual classroom on a companion website. The hallmarks of the book will be its integrated theme of race, class, and gender; emphasis on 'service learning' (which focuses on student awareness of effective community responses to social problems); critical thinking and active learning thru the text presentation and pedagogy to go beyond the often disheartening parade of social problems; and the use of the internet and unique print supplements to expand on what is intended to be a briefer book than most. The book is intended to have a strong U.S. focus with a global perspective interwoven where appropriate.Social Problems offers the following unique features and benefits: Voices in the Community u a section in each chapter offering testimony from those experiencing or doing something about social problems Visual Essays in each section to highlight a particular social problem or solution in the context of actual family and individual experiences. Chapters will have photos interspersed.Internet and community exercises at the end of each chapter to present the opportunity for further research and to give students a chance to explore chapter concepts in a direct way in the community What Does it Mean to Me? A feature intended to bring the analysis of the problem being studied down to the level of the individual.Inclusion of four theoretical perspectives for each problem studied: conflict, social interactionist, functionalist and feminist perspectives End of chapter Community, Policy and Social Action sections focuse on social policy, advocacy, and community innovation in response to social problems. This feature encourages students to examine and become a part of their own community. This is a unique, service learning-oriented benefit taking students out of the classroom, away from their texts, and into their community. Podcasts recorded by the author for each chapter reviews concepts and focuses on a specific case studya

Table of Contents:
Social Problems-Personal Troubles or Public Issues? Visual Essay I. Seeing Problems Sociologically Sociology and the Study of Social Problems The Bases of Inequality Visual Essay II. "Invisible" Dividing Lines Social Class and Poverty Race and Ethnicity Gender Sexual Orientation Age and Aging Our Social Institutions Visual Essay III. What Is a Family? Families Education Work and the Economy Health and Medicine The Media Our Social and Physical Worlds Visual Essay IV. Drug Legacy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Crime and Criminal Justice Cities and Suburbs The Environment War and Terrorism Individual Action and Social Change Visual Essay V. Thanks to Student Activists ... Social Problems and Social Action Preface