Social Problems and the Quality of Life with OLC

by Lauer, Robert H.

• ISBN13: 9780073205793
• ISBN10: 0073205796
• Edition: 10th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-06
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

Focusing on quality of life, this text defines what a social problem is and then addresses specific issues-- for example, how can one gain a sociological understanding of social problems? What kinds of critical thinking should one engage in and what kinds should one avoid in attempting to understand social problems? How is the quality of one's life affected by particular problems? What causes these problems and how can we resolve them? Part One establishes key approaches to social problems; the remaining parts discuss the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	xii
List of Tables	xiii
Preface	xiv
PART 1 Foundations	1	(32)
Understanding Social Problems	2	(31)
Objectives	2	(1)
``Why Is It My Fault?''	3	(1)
Introduction	3	(1)
Personal Versus Social Problems	4	(3)
The Causes of Problems	5	(1)
The Consequences of Problems	5	(2)
A Model for Understanding	7	(7)
A Theory-Based Model	7	(3)
Quality of Life	10	(1)
Multiple Levels of Social Problems	11	(1)
Social Action for Resolution	12	(1)
The Changing Nature of Social Problems	13	(1)
Analyzing Social Problems	14	(1)
Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies	14	(7)
Fallacy of Dramatic Instance	14	(1)
Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism	15	(1)
Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness	16	(1)
Fallacy of Personal Attack	17	(1)
Fallacy of Appeal to Prejudice	17	(1)
Fallacy of Circular Reasoning	18	(1)
Fallacy of Authority	18	(2)
Fallacy of Composition	20	(1)
Involvement: How, and How Not, to Think	21	(1)
Fallacy of Non Sequitur	21	(1)
The Sources of Data: Social Research	22	(8)
Survey Research	22	(2)
Statistical Analysis of Official Records	24	(2)
Experiments	26	(2)
Participant Observation	28	(2)
Summary	30	(1)
Key Terms	30	(1)
Study Questions	30	(1)
Internet Resources	31	(1)
For Further Reading	31	(2)
PART 2 Problems of Behavioral Variance	33	(128)
Sexual Variance	34	(32)
Objectives	34	(1)
``I Didn't Understand''	35	(1)
Introduction	36	(1)
Examples of Sexual Variance	36	(1)
Prostitution	37	(5)
Prostitution and the Quality of Life	39	(3)
Global Comparison: Child Prostitutes	42	(2)
Contributing Factors	42	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	44	(1)
Pornography, Erotica, and Obscenity	45	(4)
Nature and Extent of the Problem	45	(2)
Pornography, Erotica, Obscenity and the Quality of Life	47	(2)
Involvement: Sexy or Disgusting?	49	(2)
Contributing Factors	49	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	51	(1)
Homosexuality and Homophobia	52	(9)
Homosexuality: Definitions and Numbers	52	(1)
Why Are Some People Homosexual?	52	(3)
Homosexuality and the Quality of Life	55	(4)
Contributing Factors	59	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	61	(2)
Summary	63	(1)
Key Terms	63	(1)
Study Questions	63	(1)
Internet Resources	64	(1)
For Further Reading	64	(2)
Alcohol and Other Drugs	66	(34)
Objectives	66	(1)
Despair and Hope	67	(1)
Introduction	68	(1)
Alcohol	69	(4)
Effects	69	(1)
Patterns of Use	70	(1)
Alcohol and the Quality of Life	71	(2)
Global Comparison: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe	73	(1)
Involvement: ``I'd Kill before I'd Drink''	74	(2)
Contributing Factors	74	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	76	(2)
Other Drugs	78	(16)
Types and Effects	79	(2)
Patterns of Use	81	(3)
Drugs and the Quality of Life	84	(4)
Contributing Factors	88	(6)
Public Policy & Private Action	94	(3)
Summary	97	(1)
Key Terms	97	(1)
Study Questions	97	(1)
Internet Resources	98	(1)
For Further Reading	98	(2)
Crime and Delinquency	100	(30)
Objectives	100	(1)
A Victim Recovers	101	(1)
Introduction	102	(1)
The Varieties of Crime	103	(7)
Predatory Crime	103	(1)
Illegal Service Crimes	104	(1)
Public Disorder Crime	104	(1)
Crimes of Negligence	104	(1)
Computer Crime	104	(1)
White-Collar Crime	105	(2)
Organized Crime	107	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency	108	(1)
Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Gangs	108	(2)
The Extent of Crime and Delinquency	110	(4)
Sources of Data	110	(1)
Problems with Official Records	110	(2)
The Amount of Crime and Delinquency	112	(2)
The Distribution of Crime	114	(1)
The Criminal Justice Process	114	(1)
Crime, Delinquency, and the Quality of Life	115	(2)
Physical and Psychological Costs of Crime	116	(1)
Economic Costs of Crime	116	(1)
Contributing Factors	117	(3)
Social Structural Factors	117	(3)
Global Comparison: Alternatives to Imprisonment: Germany and Israel	120	(1)
Involvement: Coddling Criminals	121	(3)
Social Psychological Factors	123	(1)
Public Policy & Private Action	124	(4)
Summary	128	(1)
Key Terms	128	(1)
Study Questions	128	(1)
Internet Resources	129	(1)
For Further Reading	129	(1)
Violence	130	(31)
Objectives	130	(1)
``I Felt Guilty''	131	(1)
Introduction	132	(1)
What Is Violence?	133	(2)
How Much Violence Is There?	133	(1)
Interpersonal Violence	134	(1)
Intergroup Violence	135	(1)
Violence and the Quality of Life	135	(3)
Human Injury and Destruction	135	(1)
Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization	136	(1)
Violence as Seductive Self-Destruction	137	(1)
Economic Costs	137	(1)
Contributing Factors	138	(3)
Social Structural Factors	138	(3)
Involvement: Violently Opposed to Violence	141	(6)
Social Psychological Factors	143	(4)
Public Policy & Private Action	147	(1)
The Violence of Rape	148	(1)
Rape and the Quality of Life	148	(4)
Emotional and Physical Trauma	149	(2)
Physical Abuse	151	(1)
Contributing Factors	152	(2)
Social Structural Factors	152	(1)
Social Psychological Factors	152	(2)
Global Comparison: Attitudes of Turkish Students toward Rape	154	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	156	(2)
Summary	158	(1)
Key Terms	158	(1)
Study Questions	158	(1)
Internet Resources	159	(1)
For Further Reading	159	(2)
PART 3 Problems of Inequality	161	(92)
Poverty	162	(30)
Objectives	162	(1)
``We Feel Like Deadbeats''	163	(1)
Introduction	164	(1)
What Is Poverty?	164	(6)
Extent of Poverty	166	(1)
Who Are the Poor?	167	(2)
The Changing Nature of Poverty	169	(1)
Poverty and the Quality of Life	170	(2)
The Right to Life and Happiness	171	(1)
Global Comparison: Poverty in the World System	172	(4)
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being	174	(1)
Poverty and Health	175	(1)
Involvement: From Riches to Rags	176	(2)
Dilemmas of Poverty	177	(1)
Public Policy & Private Action	178	(2)
Contributing Factors	180	(9)
Social Structural Factors	180	(7)
Social Psychological Factors	187	(2)
Summary	189	(1)
Key Terms	189	(1)
Study Questions	189	(1)
Internet Resources	190	(1)
For Further Reading	190	(1)
Endnotes	190	(2)
Gender Inequality	192	(30)
Objectives	192	(1)
``I Didn't Need the Extra Hassles''	193	(1)
Introduction	194	(1)
Biology or Society?	195	(2)
Gender and Biology	195	(1)
Men's Issues	196	(1)
Gender Inequality and the Quality of Life	197	(5)
The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities	197	(5)
Global Comparison: Occupational Sex Segregation in Developing Countries	202	(4)
Political Participation	202	(2)
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being	204	(2)
Contributing Factors	206	(5)
Social Structural Factors	206	(5)
Involvement: You Are What You Read	211	(5)
Social Psychological Factors	212	(4)
Public Policy & Private Action	216	(3)
Summary	219	(1)
Key Terms	219	(1)
Study Questions	219	(1)
Internet Resources	220	(1)
For Further Reading	220	(2)
Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism	222	(31)
Objectives	222	(1)
Will It Ever End?	223	(1)
Introduction	224	(1)
The Meaning of Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism	224	(1)
Extent and Origin of Races and Racism in America	225	(3)
Race, Ethnicity, and the Quality of Life	228	(11)
The Rights of Citizenship	228	(2)
The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities	230	(4)
The Right to Life and Happiness	234	(3)
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being	237	(2)
Contributing Factors	239	(1)
Involvement: Becoming Color Blind	240	(7)
Social Structural Factors	240	(4)
Social Psychological Factors	244	(3)
Global Comparison: Prejudice in Europe	247	(1)
Public Policy & Private Action	248	(3)
Summary	251	(1)
Key Terms	251	(1)
Study Questions	251	(1)
Internet Resources	251	(1)
For Further Reading	251	(1)
Endnotes	252	(1)
PART 4 Problems of Social Institutions	253	(150)
Government and Politics	254	(30)
Objectives	254	(1)
``Why Isn't There Help for People Like Me?''	255	(1)
Introduction	256	(1)
Why Government?	256	(3)
Protect the Citizenry	257	(1)
Secure Order	258	(1)
Distribute Power Equitably	258	(1)
Provide a Safety Net	258	(1)
Problems of Government and Politics	259	(5)
Inequalities in Power	259	(1)
The Failure of Trust	260	(4)
Involvement: Why Don't People Trust the Government?	264	(2)
Waste, Corruption, and Scandals	264	(2)
Gridlock	266	(1)
Government, Politics, and the Quality of Life	266	(3)
Unequal Opportunities for a High Quality of Life	266	(1)
Inadequate Protection of Individual Rights	267	(1)
Lack of Responsiveness to Needs	268	(1)
Contributing Factors	269	(4)
Social Structural Factors	269	(4)
Global Comparison: Bureaucracy in Indonesia	273	(7)
Social Psychological Factors	278	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	280	(2)
Summary	282	(1)
Key Terms	282	(1)
Study Questions	282	(1)
Internet Resources	283	(1)
For Further Reading	283	(1)
Work and the Economy	284	(28)
Objectives	284	(1)
``I'm Not a Worrier, But . . .''	285	(1)
Introduction	286	(1)
The Economy, Work, and the Workforce in America	286	(6)
The Changing Economy	286	(2)
The Changing Workforce	288	(2)
The Changing Composition of the Labor Force	290	(1)
The Changing Meaning of Work	291	(1)
Work as a Social Problem	292	(3)
Unemployment and Underemployment	292	(2)
Dissatisfaction and Alienation	294	(1)
Global Comparison: Unemployment Rates in Industrial Nations	295	(1)
Work Hazards and Stress	295	(1)
Work and the Quality of Life	296	(3)
Work, Unemployment, and Health	296	(3)
Interpersonal Relationships	299	(1)
Contributing Factors	299	(6)
Social Structural Factors	299	(5)
Social Psychological Factors	304	(1)
Involvement: Fun and Games at Work	305	(1)
Public Policy & Private Action	306	(3)
The Ideology and Reality of Work	308	(1)
Summary	309	(1)
Key Terms	309	(1)
Study Questions	309	(1)
Internet Resources	310	(1)
For Further Reading	310	(1)
Endnotes	310	(2)
Education	312	(30)
Objectives	312	(1)
``I Kept My Mouth Shut''	313	(1)
Introduction	314	(1)
Why Education?	314	(1)
Educational Attainment and Payoff	315	(3)
Levels of Attainment	315	(2)
Attainment and Payoff	317	(1)
Global Comparison: Educational Attainment, by Country	318	(2)
Education and the Quality of Life	320	(7)
Inequality of Opportunity and Attainment	320	(2)
The Atmosphere: Learning or Surviving?	322	(2)
The Payoff: A Great Training Robbery?	324	(1)
American Education: A Tide of Mediocrity?	325	(2)
Contributing Factors	327	(1)
Social Structural Factors	327	(1)
Involvement: What Is the Purpose of Education?	328	(7)
Social Psychological Factors	332	(1)
A Concluding Note on Inequality in Education	333	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	335	(5)
Summary	340	(1)
Key Terms	340	(1)
Study Questions	340	(1)
Internet Resources	341	(1)
For Further Reading	341	(1)
Family Problems	342	(30)
Objectives	342	(1)
``I Survived the Abuse''	343	(1)
Introduction	344	(1)
Is the Family Doomed?	345	(3)
Alternate Forms of the Family	345	(1)
The Changing American Family	346	(1)
Functions of the Family	347	(1)
The Extent of Family Problems	348	(3)
Disrupted and Reconstituted Families	348	(2)
Family Violence	350	(1)
Global Comparison: Marital Quality and Well-Being of Children	351	(2)
Family Problems and the Quality of Life	353	(6)
Physical and Emotional Difficulties	354	(3)
Poverty	357	(1)
Deviant Behavior	357	(1)
Maladjustment	358	(1)
Contributing Factors	359	(6)
Social Structural Factors	359	(4)
Social Psychological Factors	363	(2)
Involvement: One Big Happy Family	365	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	367	(2)
Summary	369	(1)
Key Terms	369	(1)
Study Questions	369	(1)
Internet Resources	370	(1)
For Further Reading	370	(2)
Health Care and Illness: Physical and Mental	372	(31)
Objectives	372	(1)
``If You Want to Live a Long Life''	373	(1)
Introduction	374	(1)
Nature of the Problem: Health Care and Illness	375	(3)
Physical Illness	375	(3)
Global Comparison: The Worldwide Challenge of Infectious Diseases	378	(3)
Mental Illness	379	(2)
Involvement: Except Me and Thee?	381	(2)
Health Care, Illness, and the Quality of Life	383	(6)
Stress and Suffering	383	(1)
Interpersonal Relationships	384	(1)
Inadequate Care	385	(1)
Deinstitutionalization	386	(1)
Individual Freedom	387	(1)
Economic Costs	388	(1)
Contributing Factors	389	(9)
Social Structural Factors	389	(6)
Social Psychological Factors	395	(3)
Public Policy & Private Action	398	(3)
Summary	401	(1)
Key Terms	401	(1)
Study Questions	401	(1)
Internet Resources	402	(1)
For Further Reading	402	(1)
PART 5 Global Social Problems	403	(60)
War and Terrorism	404	(30)
Objectives	404	(1)
``I Didn't Want to See It''	405	(1)
Introduction	406	(1)
War, Civil War, and Terrorism	406	(2)
The New Face of War	406	(1)
The Extent of the Problem	407	(1)
War, Terrorism, and the Quality of Life	408	(12)
Human Destruction and Injury	408	(4)
Psychological and Interpersonal Disruption and Dehumanization	412	(4)
Environmental Destruction	416	(1)
The Economic Costs	417	(2)
War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties	419	(1)
Global Comparison: Militarism: ``A World Gone Insane''	420	(2)
Contributing Factors	422	(4)
Social Structural Factors	422	(3)
Social Psychological Factors	425	(1)
Involvement: ``What a Great War That Was''	426	(2)
Public Policy & Private Action	428	(3)
Summary	431	(1)
Key Terms	431	(1)
Study Questions	431	(1)
Internet Resources	432	(1)
For Further Reading	432	(1)
Endnotes	432	(2)
The Environment	434	(29)
Objectives	434	(1)
``We're Not Safe Here Anymore''	435	(1)
Introduction	436	(1)
The Ecosystem	436	(1)
Types of Environmental Problems	437	(7)
Environmental Pollution	437	(4)
Environmental Depletion	441	(3)
How Big Are These Environmental Problems?	444	(2)
Environmental Pollution	444	(2)
Global Comparison: World Energy Production and Consumption	446	(3)
Environmental Depletion	447	(2)
Environmental Problems and the Quality of Life	449	(5)
The Environmental Threat to Life and Health	449	(2)
Threat to the Ecological Balance	451	(1)
The Economic Costs	452	(1)
Threat to World Peace	453	(1)
Contributing Factors	454	(3)
Social Structural Factors	454	(3)
Involvement: Nature Bats Last	457	(1)
Social Psychological Factors	457	(1)
Public Policy & Private Action	458	(3)
Summary	461	(1)
Key Terms	461	(1)
Study Questions	461	(1)
Internet Resources	461	(1)
For Further Reading	462	(1)
Glossary	463	(5)
References	468	(58)
Credits	526	(1)
Name Index	527	(18)
Subject Index	545