Social Problems : A Down-to-Earth Approach

by Henslin, James M.

• ISBN13: 9780131105560
• ISBN10: 0131105566
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This theoretically balanced text provides the latest research findings and a consistent structure to help&students analyze&major social problems facing the United States.& Henslin presents boths sides of an argument with a neutral voice and has a "down-to-earth" writing style. & When students complete this text, not only do they gain a sociological understanding of social problems, but also they are able to exploreand evaluatetheir own opinions about specific social problems.&They will gain a greater awareness of the social forces that shape their orientations to social problems and their perspectives on social life. The ideas in this book, then, can penetrate students' thinking and give shape to their views of the world.

Table of Contents

Boxes	xv
Preface	xvii
PART I THE SOCIOLOGY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS
How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma	1	(23)
The Sociological Imagination	2	(1)
What Is a Social Problem?	3	(4)
The Essential Elements of a Social Problem	3	(2)
Social Problems Are Relative	5	(2)
The Natural History of Social Problems	7	(6)
The First Stage: Defining the Problem, the Emergence of Leaders, and Beginning to Organize	8	(1)
The Second Stage: Crafting the Official Response	8	(1)
The Third Stage: Reacting to the Official Response	9	(1)
The Fourth Stage: Developing Alternative Strategies	10	(3)
The Role of Sociology in Social Problems	13	(8)
Sociology as a Tool for Breaking Through Emotions and Defenses	13	(3)
Sociology and Common Sense	16	(1)
Methods for Studying Social Problems	17	(3)
Should Sociologists Take Sides?	20	(1)
Should Sociologists Define Social Problems?	20	(1)
The Working Consensus	21	(1)
Summary	21	(1)
Key Terms	22	(1)
For Reference	23	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	23	(1)
Interpreting Social Problems: Aging	24	(24)
Sociological Theories and Social Problems	26	(1)
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems	27	(4)
The Development of Symbolic Interactionism	28	(2)
Applying Symbolic Interactionism	30	(1)
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems: A Summary	30	(1)
Functionalism and Social Problems	31	(5)
The Development of Functionalism	32	(1)
Applying Functionalism to Social Problems	33	(2)
Functionalism and Social Problems: A Summary	35	(1)
Conflict Theory and Social Problems	36	(3)
The Development of Conflict Theory	36	(1)
Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems	37	(2)
Conflict Theory and Social Problems: A Summary	39	(1)
The Future of the Problem: The Pendulum Swings	39	(5)
Summary	44	(1)
Key Terms	45	(2)
Critical Thinking Questions	47	(1)
PART II NORM VIOLATIONS IN SOCIAL CONTEXT
Prostitution, Homosexuality, and Pornography	48	(38)
Sexual Behaviors as Social Problems	49	(1)
Prostitution	50	(12)
Background: Getting the Larger Picture	50	(1)
Prostitution Viewed Theoretically: Applying Functionalism	51	(2)
Research on Prostitution	53	(9)
Homosexuality	62	(11)
Background: Getting the Larger Picture	62	(3)
Homosexuality Viewed Theoretically: Applying Conflict Theory	65	(2)
Research on Homosexuality	67	(5)
Differences Between Male and Female Homosexuals	72	(1)
Pornography	73	(6)
Background: Getting the Larger Picture	73	(2)
Pornography Viewed Theoretically: Applying Symbolic Interactionism	75	(1)
Controversy and Research on Pornography	76	(3)
Social Policy	79	(3)
Criminalization of Consensual Arts	79	(1)
Alternatives to Criminalization	80	(2)
The Future of the Problem	82	(2)
Prostitution and the Future	82	(1)
Homosexuality and the Future	83	(1)
Pronography and the Future	84	(1)
Summary	84	(1)
Key Terms	85	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	85	(1)
Alcohol and Other Drugs	86	(44)
The Problem in Social Perspective	87	(2)
The Scope of the Problem	89	(3)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	92	(7)
Symbolic Interactionism	92	(2)
Functionalism	94	(1)
Conflict Theory	95	(4)
Research Findings	99	(21)
The Medicalization of Human Problems	99	(3)
The Effects of Drugs	102	(1)
The Recreational Mood Elevators	102	(12)
The Hallucinogens	114	(2)
The Amphetamines and Barbiturates	116	(1)
The Narcotics	117	(3)
Social Policy	120	(6)
The Future of the Problem	126	(1)
Summary	127	(1)
Key Terms	128	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	129	(1)
Violence in Society: Rape and Murder	130	(36)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	131	(1)
The Scope of the Problem	132	(3)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	135	(6)
Nonsociological Theories	135	(2)
Symbolic Interactionism	137	(2)
Functionalism	139	(1)
Conflict Theory	140	(1)
In Sum	141	(1)
Research Findings	141	(1)
Rape	142	(9)
The Natural History of Rape as a Social Problem	142	(1)
The Social Patterns of Rape	143	(2)
Profiling the Rapist	145	(3)
Unreported Rapes	148	(1)
Reactions to Rape	149	(2)
Murder	151	(9)
The Social Patterns of Murder	152	(2)
Social Bases of the Social Patterns	154	(6)
Social Policy	160	(3)
Dealing with Offenders	160	(1)
Dealing with Victims	161	(1)
Preventing Violence	162	(1)
The Future of the Problem	163	(1)
Summary	164	(1)
Key Terms	164	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	165	(1)
Crime and Criminal Justice	166	(45)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	167	(1)
The Scope of the Problem	168	(4)
Crime as a Social Problem	168	(1)
The Criminal Justice System as a Social Problem	169	(3)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	172	(6)
Symbolic Interactionism	173	(1)
Functionalism	174	(3)
Conflict Theory	177	(1)
Research Findings	178	(21)
Juvenile Delinquency	178	(6)
White-Collar Crime	184	(3)
Professional Crime	187	(1)
Organized Crime	188	(3)
Political Crime	191	(1)
The Criminal Justice System	192	(7)
Social Policy	199	(8)
The Future of the Problem	207	(1)
Summary	208	(1)
Key Terms	209	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	209	(2)
PART III PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty	211	(36)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	212	(4)
Economic Systems and Changes	212	(2)
Four Economic Problems Facing the United States	214	(2)
The Nature of Poverty	216	(1)
The Scope of the Problem	216	(6)
Social Inequality	217	(1)
Distribution of Income and Wealth	217	(3)
The Extent and Impact of Poverty	220	(2)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	222	(4)
Symbolic Interactionism	222	(1)
Functionalism	223	(1)
Conflict Theory	224	(2)
In Sum	226	(1)
Research Findings	226	(11)
Who Are the Poor?	226	(3)
Is There a Culture of Poverty?	229	(2)
Who Rules America?	231	(5)
Inequality and Global Poverty	236	(1)
Social Policy	237	(7)
Historical Changes in Social Policy	237	(2)
The Feminization of Poverty	239	(1)
Progressive Taxation	239	(1)
Four Types of Public Assistance Programs	240	(1)
Private Agencies and Volunteer Organizations	241	(1)
Regulating the Poor	242	(1)
Giving the Poor More Money	243	(1)
Education Accounts	243	(1)
Providing Jobs	244	(1)
The Future of the Problem	244	(1)
Summary	245	(1)
Key Terms	245	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	246	(1)
Race and Ethnic Relations	247	(38)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	248	(5)
The Scope of the Problem	253	(7)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	260	(6)
Symbolic Interactionism	260	(2)
Functionalism	262	(2)
Conflict Theory	264	(1)
In Sum	265	(1)
Research Findings	266	(13)
Native Americans	267	(3)
Latinos (Hispanics)	270	(3)
African Americans	273	(3)
Asian Americans	276	(3)
Social Policy	279	(2)
Encouraging Cultural Pluralism	279	(1)
Preventing Ethnic Discrimination	279	(1)
The Dilemma of Affirmative Action	280	(1)
Principles for Improving Ethnic Relations	281	(1)
The Future of the Problem	281	(2)
Summary	283	(1)
Key Terms	283	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	284	(1)
Sex Discrimination	285	(34)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	286	(1)
The Scope of the Problem	287	(1)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	288	(7)
Symbolic Interactionism	288	(3)
Functionalism	291	(3)
Conflict Theory	294	(1)
Research Findings	295	(17)
The Question of Natural Differences Between the Sexes	295	(3)
Discrimination in Everyday Life	298	(1)
Discrimination in Education	299	(2)
The Mass Media	301	(2)
The World of Politics	303	(1)
The World of Work	304	(4)
Why Is Our Work Force Segregated by Sex?	308	(1)
Sexual Harassment	308	(4)
Violence Against Women	312	(1)
Social Policy	312	(3)
An Area of Irreconcilable Ideologies	312	(2)
The Battle Lines	314	(1)
Ideology and Social Policy	315	(1)
The Future of the Problem	315	(2)
Summary	317	(1)
Key Terms	318	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	318	(1)
Medical Care: Problems of Physical and Mental Illness	319	(42)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	320	(5)
The Social Nature of Health and Illness	321	(1)
The Social Organization of Medicine as a Source of Problems	322	(3)
The Scope of the Problem	325	(7)
Illness as a Social Problem	325	(7)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	332	(5)
Symbolic Interactionism	332	(2)
Functionalism	334	(2)
Conflict Theory	336	(1)
Research Findings	337	(10)
An Overview of Health Problems	338	(1)
How Disease is Related to Behavior and Environment: The Case of AIDS	338	(4)
Social Inequalities in Physical Illness	342	(1)
Social Inequalities in Mental Illness	343	(4)
Social Policy	347	(9)
Being Paid to Stay Healthy	347	(1)
Prepaid Medical Care	348	(1)
Physician Extenders	349	(1)
Training Physicians	349	(1)
Outreach Services	350	(1)
Practicing Preventive Medicine	351	(4)
Humanizing Health Care	355	(1)
Self-Care Groups	355	(1)
The Future of the Problem	356	(3)
Technology	356	(1)
Redirecting Medicine	357	(2)
Summary	359	(1)
Key Terms	359	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	360	(1)
PART IV SOCIAL CHANGE AND MEGAPROBLEMS
The Changing Family	361	(37)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	362	(3)
The Scope of the Problem	365	(7)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	372	(7)
Symbolic Interactionism	373	(2)
Functionalism	375	(2)
Conflict Theory	377	(2)
Research Findings	379	(10)
Cohabitation and the Changing Age at First Marriage	379	(1)
Childlessness	380	(1)
Family Violence	381	(3)
Sexual Abuse in the Family	384	(2)
Old Age and Widowhood	386	(2)
The Death of the Family?	388	(1)
Social Policy	389	(5)
The Future of the Problem	394	(2)
Summary	396	(1)
Key Terms	397	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	397	(1)
Urban Problems	398	(36)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	399	(4)
The Scope of the Problem	403	(1)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	403	(5)
Symbolic Interactionism	404	(2)
Functionalism	406	(1)
Conflict Theory	407	(1)
Research Findings	408	(17)
Is the City Inherently Alienating?	408	(5)
The Decline of the Central City	413	(2)
Urban Violence	415	(5)
The City in Change	420	(3)
The Emerging Megalopolis	423	(2)
Social Policy	425	(4)
Specific Programs	426	(2)
Educating the Poor	428	(1)
The Future of the Problem	429	(3)
Summary	432	(1)
Key Terms	432	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	433	(1)
Population and Food	434	(33)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	435	(5)
The Scope of the Problem	440	(2)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	442	(6)
Symbolic Interactionism	442	(2)
Functionalism	444	(3)
Conflict Theory	447	(1)
Research Findings	448	(9)
The New Malthusians	448	(2)
The Anti-Malthusians	450	(2)
Has the Population Explosion Peaked?	452	(1)
Problems in Forecasting Population Growth	453	(1)
Does the United States Have a Population Problem?	454	(3)
Social Policy	457	(4)
Exploring Western Agriculture	457	(1)
Policy Implications of the Anti-Malthusians	458	(1)
Policy Implications of the New Malthusians	458	(3)
Restructuring International Markets	461	(1)
The Future of the Problem	461	(4)
The New Malthusian Viewpoint	461	(1)
The Anti-Malthusian Viewpoint	462	(1)
The Long-Term Anti-Mathusian Viewpoint	463	(1)
Which Will It Be?	463	(2)
Summary	465	(1)
Key Terms	465	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	466	(1)
The Environmental Crisis	467	(41)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	468	(2)
The Scope of the Problem	470	(2)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	472	(5)
Symbolic Interactionism	472	(2)
Functionalism	474	(1)
Conflict Theory	475	(2)
Research Findings	477	(21)
Air Pollution	477	(2)
Land Pollution	479	(2)
Water Pollution	481	(2)
Toxic Chemicals	483	(1)
Nuclear Pollution	484	(2)
Food Pollution	486	(3)
Pollution in the Industrializing Nations	489	(2)
Getting the Other Side	491	(1)
In Sum	492	(1)
Energy and Resources	493	(3)
The Coming Resolution	496	(2)
Social Policy	498	(6)
The Steady State Society	498	(1)
Pollution	498	(4)
Energy	502	(1)
Determining National Priorities	503	(1)
The Future of the Problem	504	(2)
Summary	506	(1)
Key Terms	507	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	507	(1)
War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power	508	(39)
The Problem in Sociological Perspective	509	(3)
The Scope of the Problem	512	(2)
Looking at the Problem Theoretically	514	(4)
Symbolic Interactionism	514	(1)
Functionalism	515	(2)
Conflict Theory	517	(1)
Research Findings	518	(20)
What Reduces War? An Overview of Findings	518	(1)
The Costs of War	519	(6)
The Military-Industrial Complex	525	(2)
The Possibility of Accidental War	527	(4)
Biological and Chemical Warfare	531	(1)
Political Terrorism	532	(6)
Social Policy	538	(4)
Political Terrorism	539	(1)
Nuclear Warfare and the Elusive Path to Peace	539	(3)
The Future of the Problem	542	(2)
Summary	544	(1)
Key Terms	545	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	545	(2)
Bibliography	547	(34)
Photo Credits	581	(2)
Name Index	583	(12)
Subject Index	595