Introduction to Social Problems

by Sullivan, Thomas J.

• ISBN13: 9780205449057
• ISBN10: 0205449050
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This social problems text features an applied approach that looks at the interplay between research and policy in finding solutions, along with a built-in student study guide. Sullivans Introduction to Social Problems explores the nature and extent of social problems, documents the advances and setbacks that we as a society have made, and analyzes what works and what doesn't work regarding solutions to today's problems. The author, an applied sociologist, shows how science research is used to address and correct some of the most difficult and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxii
About the Author	xxix
Approaches to the Study of Social Problems
What Is a Social Problem?	2	(4)
Personal Troubles, Public Issues, and Social Problems	2	(1)
The Social Context of Social Problems	3	(2)
The Sociological Imagination	5	(1)
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems	6	(5)
The Functionalist Perspective	6	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	7	(2)
The Interactionist Perspective	9	(1)
Using the Theoretical Perspectives	9	(1)
Constructing Social Problems: The Mass Media and Other Influences	10	(1)
Research on Social Problems	11	(5)
The Scientific Method	11	(1)
Conducting Research	11	(1)
Applied Research Untangling Myths and Facts About Social Problems	12	(1)
Values, Interest Groups, and Objectivity	13	(1)
Assessing Data: Problems and Pitfalls	14	(2)
Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems	16	(4)
What Can We Do About Social Problems?	16	(1)
The Interplay of Social Policy and Research	16	(1)
Who Provides Solutions?	16	(1)
Policy Issues Domestic Violence: How to Intervene?	17	(2)
Should We Solve the Problem?	19	(1)
International Perspectives: Social Problems in Other Societies	19	(1)
Linkages	20	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	20	(1)
Study and Review	20	(6)
Growth of Corporate and Government Power
Myths and Facts: About Business and Government	26	(1)
Types of Economic Systems	26	(2)
Capitalism	27	(1)
Socialism	27	(1)
Mixed Economies	28	(1)
The Concentration of Economic and Political Power	28	(5)
The Corporate Economy	28	(2)
Unionization	30	(1)
Big Government	31	(2)
Perspectives on the Concentration of Power	33	(6)
The Functionalist Perspective	33	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	33	(1)
Is There a Power Elite in the United States?	33	(1)
International Perspectives Global Economic Concentration	34	(2)
Applied Research Corporate Concentration and Globalization of the Media	36	(2)
The World Economic System	38	(1)
Problems Created by the Concentration of Power	39	(5)
Effects on Competition	40	(1)
Conflict Between Societal and Corporate Goals	40	(1)
Threats to Democratic Institutions	40	(1)
The Dwindling of Unions	41	(1)
Worker Dislocation and Unemployment	41	(2)
Abuse of Government Authority	43	(1)
Future Prospects	44	(4)
Reducing Government and Deficits	44	(1)
Government Reorganization	44	(1)
Collective Action by Citizens	45	(1)
The Globalization of Labor	46	(1)
Economic Reorganization	46	(2)
Policy Issues What Role Should the Government Play in the Global Economy?	48	(1)
Linkages	48	(1)
Study and Review	48	(2)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	50	(6)
Family-Related Problems
Myths and Facts About the Family	56	(1)
The Family in Society	56	(5)
The Functionalist Perspective	57	(2)
The Conflict Perspective	59	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	59	(1)
Applied Research Day Care: Problem or Solution?	60	(1)
Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family	61	(2)
Divorce	63	(3)
The Divorce Rate	63	(2)
Who Gets Divorced?	65	(1)
The Effects of Divorce	65	(1)
Emerging Family Lifestyles	66	(5)
Dual-Earner Families	67	(1)
Singlehood	68	(1)
Cohabitation	68	(1)
Single Parenthood	69	(1)
A Global Perspective	70	(1)
Violence in the Family	71	(3)
Intimate Partner Violence	71	(1)
Policy Issues Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized?	72	(1)
Child Abuse	73	(1)
Abuse of the Elderly	74	(1)
Constructing Family Problems: Media Images	74	(1)
Future Prospects	75	(4)
The Future of Divorce	76	(1)
Reducing Family Violence	76	(1)
Children and the Family	77	(1)
International Perspectives Families and Children in Other Societies	78	(1)
Linkages	79	(1)
Study and Review	79	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	80	(6)
Health and Illness
Myths and Facts About Health and Health Care	86	(1)
Perspectives on Health Care	86	(3)
The Functionalist Perspective	86	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	87	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	87	(1)
Politics, Stigma, and the AIDS Epidemic	88	(1)
Health, Illness, and Society	89	(7)
Health and Societal Development	89	(1)
Applied Research Combating the Spread of AIDS	90	(3)
Social Factors in Health and Illness	93	(3)
Mental Illness	96	(3)
The Nature of Mental Illness	96	(2)
The Treatment of Mental Disorders	98	(1)
Problems in Health Care	99	(5)
Rising Health-Care Costs	99	(1)
Access to Medical Services	100	(1)
Quality of Medical Services	100	(1)
Gender Inequality in Health Care	101	(2)
The Corporatization of Health Care	103	(1)
Bioethics: Technology and Health	104	(2)
The Prolongation of Life	105	(1)
Whom Shall We Treat?	105	(1)
Future Prospects	106	(6)
Publicly Funded Health Insurance	106	(1)
Compulsory, Employer-Financed Health Insurance	107	(1)
HMOs and Managed Care	107	(1)
International Perspectives Paying for Health Care in Other Societies	108	(1)
New Health-Care Practitioners	109	(1)
Policy Issues Should Health Care Be for Profit?	110	(1)
Self-Care and Changing Lifestyles	111	(1)
Linkages	111	(1)
Study and Review	112	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	112	(6)
Poverty
Myths and Facts About the Poor	118	(1)
The Extent of Poverty	118	(4)
Defining Poverty	118	(1)
The Extent of Poverty in the United States	119	(2)
A Global View of Poverty	121	(1)
Who Are the Poor?	122	(5)
Social Characteristics	122	(3)
Social Circumstances	125	(2)
The Causes of Poverty	127	(5)
The Functionalist Perspective	127	(2)
The Conflict Perspective	129	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective and Cultural Analysis	130	(1)
Applied Research Structural Sources of Entrenched Poverty	131	(1)
Future Prospects	132	(6)
Full Employment	132	(1)
Education, Training, and Jobs	132	(2)
Income Maintenance Programs	134	(1)
Policy Issues Welfare Reform: How Well Is It Working?	134	(3)
International Perspectives Poverty and Welfare in Other Societies	137	(1)
Collective Action	138	(1)
Linkages	138	(1)
Study and Review	138	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	139	(5)
Race and Ethnic Relations
Myths and Facts About Race and Ethnicity	144	(1)
Minority Groups	144	(1)
Race and Ethnicity	144	(1)
Racism	145	(1)
Sources of Prejudice and Discrimination	145	(4)
Social Sources	146	(1)
Psychological Sources	147	(2)
Consequences of Discrimination	149	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States	149	(10)
African Americans	149	(2)
Hispanic Americans	151	(2)
American Indians	153	(1)
Asian Americans	154	(2)
Today's Immigrants	156	(1)
Applied Research Combating Prejudice and Discrimination	156	(1)
The Social Construction of Minorities: Media Images	157	(2)
Future Prospects	159	(7)
Assimilation or Pluralism?	159	(1)
Race Relations Today: Race or Class?	160	(1)
Collective Protest and Civil Rights Legislation	161	(1)
Affirmative Action	161	(1)
School Programs and Busing	162	(1)
Policy Issues Should the Government Intervene to Improve Opportunities for Minorities?	162	(2)
International Perspectives Switzerland: Cooperation in a Multiethnic Society	164	(1)
Improving the Economy	165	(1)
Linkages	166	(1)
Study and Review	166	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	167	(5)
Gender and Social Inequality
Myths and Facts About Gender Inequality	172	(1)
Men and Women in Society	172	(3)
The Biological Perspective	172	(1)
The Functionalist Perspective	173	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	174	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	175	(1)
The Socialization of Men and Women	175	(4)
The Family	175	(1)
The Schools	176	(1)
The Media	177	(1)
Applied Research Fighting Sexism in Higher Education	177	(2)
The Extent of Gender Inequality in the United States	179	(5)
Economic Discrimination	179	(3)
Discrimination in the Military	182	(1)
Other Types of Discrimination	183	(1)
Gender Inequality Involving Males	183	(1)
A Global Perspective on Gender Inequality	184	(1)
Future Prospects	184	(7)
Collective Action and the Feminist Movement: A Global Struggle	184	(2)
International Perspectives The Treatment of Women in Other Societies	186	(1)
Changes in the Law	187	(1)
Changes in the Workplace	188	(1)
The Changing Face of Politics	189	(1)
Masculine, Feminine, or Human?	189	(1)
Policy Issues Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace	190	(1)
Linkages	191	(1)
Study and Review	191	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	192	(6)
Age, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality
Myths and Facts About Age and Sexual Orientation	198	(1)
Age, Life Course, and Social Structure	198	(3)
The Functionalist Perspective	198	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	199	(1)
The Age Structure of Society	200	(1)
Problems of the Young	201	(2)
Economic Exploitation	201	(1)
Family Instability	202	(1)
Poverty	203	(1)
Sexual Exploitation	203	(1)
Child Abuse	203	(1)
Problems of the Elderly	203	(6)
Work and Retirement	203	(1)
Applied Research How Well Off Are Children and Youth in the United States?	204	(1)
Poverty and Financial Problems	205	(2)
Social Isolation	207	(1)
Domestic Violence	207	(1)
Health Problems	208	(1)
Fear of Crime	208	(1)
Institutions and Nursing Homes	208	(1)
Homosexuality and Homophobia	209	(5)
Theories of Sexual Orientation	209	(1)
Societal Reaction to Homosexuality	210	(4)
The Gay Community	214	(1)
Future Prospects	214	(7)
Reducing Risks for Children and Youth	214	(1)
Economic Resources of the Elderly	215	(1)
Policy Issues Should Medicare or Social Security Be Based on Age Rather than Need?	216	(1)
Health Care of the Elderly	217	(1)
Living Arrangements of the Elderly	217	(1)
International Perspectives Public and Familial Assistance for the Elderly in Other Societies	218	(2)
Collective Action by the Elderly	220	(1)
Collective Action by Gays and Lesbians	220	(1)
Linkages	221	(1)
Study and Review	221	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	222	(6)
Crime and Delinquency
Myths and Facts About Crime	228	(1)
Explanations of Crime	228	(4)
The Functionalist Perspective	229	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	230	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	231	(1)
Types of Crime	232	(4)
Violent and Property Crime	233	(1)
Organized Crime	233	(1)
White-Collar Crime	233	(1)
Victimless Crime	234	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency	234	(1)
The Crime Rate in the United States	234	(2)
Who Are the Criminals?	236	(3)
Gender	236	(1)
Age	236	(2)
Socioeconomic Status	238	(1)
Race	239	(1)
Who Are the Victims?	239	(1)
The Criminal Justice System	239	(8)
The Police	239	(1)
The Courts	240	(1)
Sentencing and Punishment	241	(1)
Applied Research Does the Death Penalty Deter Crime?	242	(2)
The Prisons	244	(1)
Constructing the Crime Problem: The Role of the Mass Media	245	(1)
Policy Issues Should States Let Private Companies Run Correctional Facilities?	246	(1)
Future Prospects	247	(4)
Social Reform	247	(1)
Legalization of Some Crimes	248	(1)
International Perspectives Crime in Other Societies	248	(1)
Better Law Enforcement	249	(1)
Judicial Reform	250	(1)
Alternatives to Prison	250	(1)
Prison Reform	250	(1)
Linkages	251	(1)
Environmental Opportunities	251	(1)
Victim Restitution	251	(1)
Study and Review	251	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	252	(6)
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Myths and Facts About Drug Abuse	258	(1)
Drugs and Their Consequences	258	(2)
Drug Use and Abuse	258	(1)
The Societal Costs of Drug Abuse	259	(1)
The Extent of Drug Abuse in the United States	260	(10)
Alcohol	260	(3)
Marijuana and Hashish	263	(2)
Stimulants	265	(2)
Depressants	267	(1)
Narcotics	267	(1)
Applied Research Discovering the Role of Drugs in Crime and Violence	268	(1)
Hallucinogens	269	(1)
Explanations of Drug Abuse	270	(2)
Biological Explanations	270	(1)
Psychological Explanations	271	(1)
Sociological Explanations	271	(1)
Future Prospects	272	(8)
Prohibition: The War on Drugs and Alcohol	272	(1)
Legalization	273	(1)
International Perspectives The Political Economy of the Global Drug Trade	274	(2)
Policy Issues Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized in the United States?	276	(1)
Primary Prevention	276	(1)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Communities	277	(1)
Behavior Modification	278	(1)
Social Policy and Public Pressure	279	(1)
Social Reform	280	(1)
Linkages	280	(1)
Study and Review	280	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	281	(5)
Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade
Myths and Facts About Prostitution and Pornography	286	(1)
Variety in Human Sexuality	286	(2)
A Cross-Cultural View	286	(1)
Sexual Standards and Variety in the United States	287	(1)
Prostitution	288	(3)
Extent of Prostitution	289	(1)
Who Becomes a Prostitute?	290	(1)
Pornography	291	(5)
International Perspectives The Global Sex Industry	292	(2)
Defining Pornography	294	(1)
Pornography and Censorship	294	(2)
Pornography and Sexual Violence	296	(1)
Perspectives on Sexual Deviance	296	(4)
The Functionalist Perspective	296	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	297	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	298	(1)
Applied Research Does Pornography Lead to Violence Against Women?	298	(2)
Future Prospects	300	(3)
Policy Issues Should We Censor Pornography on the Internet?	302	(1)
Linkages	302	(1)
Study and Review	303	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	304	(6)
Population Growth and Urbanization
Population Growth	310	(5)
Elements of Demographic Change	310	(1)
Myths and Facts About Population Growth and Urbanization	311	(1)
World Population Growth	312	(1)
The Demographic Transition	313	(1)
The Extent of Overpopulation	314	(1)
The Growth of Cities	315	(1)
Urbanization	315	(1)
Suburbanization	316	(1)
The Postindustrial City	316	(1)
Perspectives on Population and Urban Problems	316	(2)
The Functionalist Perspective	316	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	317	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	318	(1)
Consequences of World Population Growth	318	(3)
Crowding	319	(1)
Food Shortages	319	(1)
Depletion of Resources	320	(1)
Intergroup Conflict	320	(1)
Problems in Cities in the United States	321	(3)
Economic Decline	321	(1)
Housing	321	(1)
Segregation	322	(1)
Crime	323	(1)
Educational Problems	323	(1)
Applied Research Working to Improve Urban Life	324	(1)
Future Prospects	324	(8)
Population Problems	324	(2)
International Perspectives Population Policy and Family Planning in China	326	(2)
Urban Problems	328	(2)
Policy Issues Should the Government Regulate Growth and Development in Urban Areas?	330	(2)
Linkages	332	(1)
Study and Review	332	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	333	(5)
Environmental Problems
Myths and Facts About the Environment	338	(1)
The Ecosystem	338	(1)
Social Sources of Environmental Problems	339	(2)
Population Growth	339	(1)
Affluence	340	(1)
Technology	340	(1)
Economic Growth	340	(1)
Cultural Values	341	(1)
Perspectives on Environmental Problems	341	(2)
The Functionalist Perspective	341	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	342	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	342	(1)
The Social Construction of Environmental Problems	343	(1)
Extent of Environmental Problems	344	(9)
Water Supply and Pollution	344	(2)
Solid and Toxic Wastes	346	(2)
Radioactive Wastes	348	(1)
Applied Research Assessing the Extent of Environmental Justice: Race, Class, and Pollution	348	(1)
Land Degradation	348	(2)
Declining Biodiversity	350	(1)
Air Pollution	350	(2)
Pesticides and Other Chemicals	352	(1)
Energy Resources	352	(1)
Future Prospects	353	(7)
Collective Action by Interest Groups	353	(1)
Moderating Economic Growth	354	(1)
Policy Issues Do We Need Government Regulation to Control Environmental Problems?	354	(1)
Government Regulation	355	(1)
Environmental Partnerships	355	(1)
International Perspectives Environmental Practices and Policies in Other Societies	356	(1)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle	356	(1)
Renewable Energy Resources	357	(1)
International Cooperation	358	(1)
New Cultural Values and Social Institutions	359	(1)
Linkages	359	(1)
Study and Review	360	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	360	(6)
Violence, War, and Terrorism
Myths and Facts About Collective Violence and War	366	(1)
The Extent of Violence	366	(7)
Civil Disorders	366	(1)
Political Violence	367	(1)
War	367	(2)
The Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction	369	(1)
International Perspectives The Global Arms Trade and the Military--Industrial Complex	370	(1)
Terrorism	370	(3)
Explanations of Collective Violence and War	373	(6)
Biological Approaches	373	(1)
Social Sources of Collective Violence and War	374	(2)
Applied Research The Social Roots of Terrorist Violence	376	(1)
Theoretical Perspectives on Collective Violence and War	377	(1)
Constructing War: The Role of the Mass Media	378	(1)
The Consequences of War and Terrorism	379	(1)
Death, Injury, and Social Dislocation	379	(1)
Crime	379	(1)
Political Turmoil	379	(1)
Economic Problems	380	(1)
Nuclear Annihilation	380	(1)
Future Prospects	380	(6)
Social Reform and Social Justice	380	(1)
Gun Control	381	(1)
Media Control	381	(1)
Preventing War	381	(1)
Policy Issues American Empire: A New World Order?	382	(4)
Linkages	386	(1)
Study and Review	386	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	387	(5)
Education, Science, and Technology
Myths and Facts About Education, Science, and Technology	392	(1)
Growth of Education and Technology	392	(2)
Perspectives on Education, Science, and Technology	394	(2)
The Functionalist Perspective	394	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	395	(1)
The Interactionist Perspective	396	(1)
Problems in Education	396	(5)
The Credentials Race	396	(3)
Applied Research Evaluating the Equality of Educational Opportunities in the United States	399	(1)
Tracking	399	(1)
Effectiveness: Low Performance and Dropouts	399	(1)
Race, Ethnicity, and Segregation	400	(1)
Violence in the Schools	401	(1)
Problems of Science and Technology	401	(6)
Unemployment	402	(1)
Alienation	403	(1)
Loss of Control	403	(1)
Loss of Privacy	404	(1)
Should We Play God? The Case of Genetic Engineering	405	(2)
Future Prospects	407	(9)
Reforms and Trends in Education	407	(1)
Policy Issues Biotechnology Raises the Issue: Whose Life Is It, Anyway?	408	(2)
International Perspectives Education in Other Societies	410	(3)
Science and Technology	413	(2)
Linkages	415	(1)
Researching Social Problems on the Internet	416	(1)
Study and Review	416	(4)
Glossary	420	(5)
Bibliography	425	(24)
Photo Credits	449	(1)
Study and Review Answer Key	450	(3)
Name Index	453	(6)
Subject Index	459