Social Problems

by Horsfall,Sara Towe

• ISBN13: 9780813345079
• ISBN10: 0813345073
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-02-01
• Publisher: WESTVIEW PRESS

Summary

This book represents a truly innovative and empowering approach to social problems. Instead of focusing solely on a seemingly tireless list of major problems, Sara Towe Horsfall considers how select key issues can be solved and pays particular attention to the advocate groups already on the front lines. Horsfall first provides a robust theoretical foundation to the study of social problems before moving on to the problems themselves, examining each through the lens of specific advocate groups working towards solutions. This concise and accessible text also incorporates useful learning tools including study questions to help reinforce reading comprehension, questions for further thought to encourage critical thinking and classroom discussion, a glossary of key terms, and a worksheet for researching advocate groups. Social Problems: An Advocate Group Approachis an essential resource for social problems courses and for anyone who is inspired to effect change.

Author Biography

Sara Towe Horsfall is associate professor of sociology at Texas Wes leyan University. She is coeditor of Chaos, Complexity, and Sociology and author of A Neighborhood Portrait. She has also worked as a foreign correspondent and international journalist, giving her unique insight into social problems and their solutions around the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
The Theoretical Basis of the Study of Social Problems
What is a Social Problem?	p. 3
Six Ingredients of Social Problems	p. 3
How Do Social Problems Occur?	p. 6
Levels of Social Problems	p. 15
Information and Claims Making	p. 17
Understanding Advocate Groups	p. 27
Who Are the Advocate Groups?	p. 27
Why Do Advocate Groups Form?	p. 32
Three Views of Human Nature	p. 39
Dynamics Within Advocate Groups	p. 42
Growth and Development of Advocate Groups	p. 46
A Typology of Advocate Group Change	p. 48
Ameliorating Actions, Reactions, and Consequences	p. 51
Ameliorating Actions
Legal Reform	p. 52
Government Programs	p. 56
Professional Agencies, Nonprofits, and Special Interest Groups	p. 57
Education and Public Awareness Campaigns	p. 59
Interpersonal Interaction, Apology, Reparation	p. 61
Independent, Individual Actions	p. 63
Reactions and Consequences
Opposition Groups: Campaigning Against Reform	p. 66
Consequences for the Target Group	p. 61
Unintended Consequences	p. 68
Assessing Overall Social Benefit	p. 69
Social Dynamics: The Change Process and Models of Change	p. 73
Processes/Patterns of Change
Change Is Linear: Progress and Evolution	p. 74
Change Is Cyclical: Growth and Decay	p. 75
Change Is Dialectical: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis	p. 77
Other Ideas of Social Change	p. 79
Causes of Change	p. 81
Models for Social Change
Human Interaction	p. 84
Organizational Principles	p. 88
Technology	p. 93
The Problems
Problems Addressed Through Government Programs	p. 101
Health Care	p. 102
Social Security	p. 122
Welfare	p. 132
Problems Addressed Through Government Legislation	p. 137
Discrimination	p. 138
Illegal Immigration	p. 159
Problems Addressed Through Professional Organizations,Nonprofit Groups, and Special Interest Groups	p. 173
Drugs and Alcohol	p. 174
Homelessness	p. 196
Domestic Violence (Spousal/Partner and Child Abuse)	p. 202
Teen Suicide and Gangs	p. 209
Problems with Active Opposition Groups	p. 217
Abortion	p. 218
Gender Discrimination	p. 227
Euthanasia	p. 237
Homosexuality	p. 240
Problems Addressed Through Education and Public Awareness, Interpersonal Interaction, Reparation, Apology, and Independent Individual Action	p. 245
Global Warming and Pollution	p. 247
Natural Resources: Water, Land, Energy, Endangered Species, and Rain Forests	p. 259
Sexually Transmitted Diseases/AIDS	p. 266
Rape, Date Rape, and Spousal Rape	p. 270
Prostitution	p. 274
Appendixes
Social Problem Analysis Worksheet	p. 281
Advocate Groups	p. 283
Notes on Similarities and Contrasts of Social Problems Textbooks	p. 307
Glossary	p. 311
Sources	p. 321
Index	p. 353
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