Social Problems in a Diverse Society

by Kendall, Diana

• ISBN13: 9780205337255
• ISBN10: 0205337252
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Social Problems in a Diverse Society focuses on the significance of race, class, and gender; uses personal narratives to convey how problems are experienced by individuals and groups; and applies sociological perspectives throughout to examine social issues. The book includes five chapters on problems based on inequalities: wealth and poverty, race and ethnicity, gender, age, and sexual orientation. the author, who specializes in social theory, uses the three main sociological perspectives throughout the book, along with contemporary feminist and humanist perspectives.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Taking a New Look at Social Problems	2	(20)
What is a Social Problem?	4	(4)
Box 1.1 Social Problems and Social Policy
Do Guns Kill People or Do People Kill People?	4	(3)
Subjective Awareness and Objective Reality	7	(1)
Why Study Social Problems?	7	(1)
The Sociological Imagination and Social Problems	8	(1)
Sociological Perspectives on Social Problems	8	(7)
The Functionalist Perspective	9	(2)
The Conflict Perspective	11	(2)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	13	(2)
Social Research Methods for Studying Social Problems	15	(7)
Field Research	15	(1)
Survey Research	16	(1)
Secondary Analysis of Existing Data	16	(1)
Box 1.2 Social Problems in the Media
Violence in the Media	17	(2)
In Sum	19	(1)
Summary	20	(1)
Key Terms	21	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	21	(1)
Wealth and Poverty: U.S. and Global Economic Inequalities	22	(22)
Wealth and Poverty in Global Perspective	24	(2)
Analyzing U.S. Class Inequality	26	(5)
Box 2.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
``Cheap Labor'' and the Global Economy	26	(2)
Wealth versus Income Inequality	28	(2)
Divisions in the U.S. Class Structure	30	(1)
Poverty in the United States	31	(6)
Social Problems and Statistics
Poverty in the United States	32	(2)
The Poverty Line	34	(1)
Who Are the Poor?	35	(1)
Consequences of Poverty	36	(1)
Social Welfare in the United States	37	(7)
Box 2.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Following Up on Welfare Reform: Does One Size Fit All?	38	(2)
Explanations for Poverty	40	(1)
Can Class-Based Inequality Be Reduced?	41	(1)
Summary	42	(1)
Key Terms	43	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	43	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Inequality	44	(26)
Racial and Ethnic Inequality as a Social Problem	45	(2)
What Are Race and Ethnicity?	46	(1)
``Official'' Racial and Ethnic Classifications	46	(1)
Dominant and Subordinate Groups	47	(1)
Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination	47	(3)
Box 3.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Racism in Canada	49	(1)
Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Inequality	50	(4)
Social-Psychological Perspectives	50	(1)
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives	50	(1)
Functionalist Perspectives	51	(1)
Conflict Perspectives	51	(1)
Box 3.2 Social Problems in the Media
Reflections on the TV Screen: The Portrayal of Latinas and Latinos	52	(2)
Inequalities Among Racial and Ethnic Groups	54	(11)
Native Americans (American Indians)	55	(1)
African Americans	56	(3)
Latinos/as (Hispanic Americans)	59	(1)
Social Problems and Statistics
Accurate and Inaccurate Comparisons	60	(2)
Asian and Pacific Americans	62	(2)
Box 3.3 Social Problems and Social Policy
Social Justice: Beyond Black and White	64	(1)
Summary	65	(1)
Can Racial and Ethnic Inequalities be Reduced?	65	(5)
Summary	67	(1)
Key Terms	68	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	68	(2)
Gender Inequality	70	(26)
Gender Inequality as a Social Problem	72	(1)
Defining Sex and Gender	72	(1)
Biological and Social Bases for Gender Roles	72	(1)
Gender Inequality and Socialization	73	(6)
Gender Socialization by Parents	73	(1)
Peers and Gender Socialization	74	(1)
Education and Gender Socialization	74	(2)
Sports and Gender Socialization	76	(1)
Social Problems and Statistics
Do Athletic Gains for Women Equal Losses for Men?	76	(1)
The Media and Gender Socialization	77	(2)
Contemporary Gender Inequality	79	(9)
The Gendered Division of Paid Work	79	(3)
The Wage Gap	82	(1)
Sexual Harassment	82	(1)
The Glass Ceiling and the Glass Escalator	83	(2)
Box 4.1 Social Problems and Social Policy
Men Being Taunted by Other Men: Is It Sexual Harassment?	85	(2)
The Double Shift	87	(1)
Perspectives on Gender Inequality	88	(2)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	88	(1)
The Functionalist Perspective	89	(1)
Conflict and Feminist Perspectives	90	(1)
Global Gender Inequality	90	(3)
Box 4.2 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Sex-Selective Abortion: Missing Girls in China	91	(2)
Can Gender Inequality in the United States Be Reduced?	93	(3)
Summary	93	(1)
Key Terms	94	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	94	(2)
Inequality Based on Age	96	(20)
Ageism as a Social Problem	97	(9)
Age-Based Stereotypes	98	(1)
Social Inequality and the Life Course	99	(1)
Box 5.1 Social Problems in the Media
Media Ageism and Reporting on Teenagers	100	(4)
Social Problems and Statistics
Drawing the Wrong Conclusion	104	(1)
Death and Dying	105	(1)
Problems Associated with Aging	106	(5)
Workplace Discrimination	106	(1)
Retirement and Changing Roles	107	(1)
Health, Illness, and Health Care	107	(1)
Box 5.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Government-Funded Health Care for Older People: Medicare	108	(1)
Victimization	109	(1)
Family Problems and Social Isolation	109	(1)
Housing Patterns and Long-Term Care Facilities	110	(1)
Perspectives on Aging and Social Inequality	111	(1)
The Functionalist Perspective	111	(1)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	111	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	112	(1)
Can Age-Based Inequality be Reduced?	112	(4)
Summary	114	(1)
Key Terms	115	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	115	(1)
Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation	116	(20)
Nature and Extent of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation	118	(1)
Social Problems and Statistics
How Many Gays and Lesbians?	118	(1)
Ideological Bases of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation	119	(4)
Box 6.1 Social Problems in the Media
Depictions of Gay Men and Lesbians: Accurate Portrayals in Television Programming?	120	(1)
Religion and Sexual Orientation	120	(2)
Law and Sexual Orientation	122	(1)
Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation	123	(5)
Lack of Marital Rights	123	(1)
Parental Rights	124	(1)
Housing Discrimination	124	(1)
Discrimination in Medical Care	124	(1)
Occupational Discrimination	125	(1)
Discrimination in the Military	126	(1)
Victimization and Hate Crimes	126	(1)
Box 6.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
School's Out: Closing the Books on Homophobia	127	(1)
Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Social Inequality	128	(4)
Biological and Psychological Perspectives	128	(2)
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives	130	(1)
Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives	131	(1)
Can Inequalities Based on Sexual Orientation be Reduced?	132	(4)
Summary	134	(1)
Key Terms	135	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	135	(1)
Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry	136	(20)
Deviance, the Sex Industry, and Social Problems	137	(1)
Prostitution in Global Perspective	138	(4)
The World's Oldest Profession?	139	(1)
The Global Sex Industry	139	(1)
Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women	140	(1)
Box 7.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Economic Development or Childhood Sexual Slavery?	140	(2)
Prostitution in the United States	142	(4)
The Nature of Prostitution	142	(1)
The Extent of Prostitution	143	(1)
Social Problems and Statistics
What We Know and Don't Know about Prostitution	143	(1)
Prostitution and Age, Class, and Race	143	(3)
Sociological Perspectives on Prostitution	146	(1)
The Functionalist Perspective	146	(1)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	146	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	147	(1)
Pornography	147	(5)
The Social Construction of Pornography as a Social Problem	148	(1)
The Nature and Extent of Pornography	149	(1)
Research on Pornography	149	(1)
Box 7.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
The Issue of Real versus Virtual Actors in Internet Child Pornography	150	(1)
Pornography and Age, Gender, Class, and Race	150	(2)
The Future of Pornography and the Sex Industry	152	(4)
Summary	154	(1)
Key Terms	155	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	155	(1)
Alcohol and Other Drugs	156	(26)
Drug Use and Abuse	157	(2)
Defining Drug Abuse	158	(1)
Drug Addiction	158	(1)
Alcohol Use and Abuse	159	(5)
Alcohol Consumption and Class, Gender, Age, and Race	159	(2)
Alcohol-Related Social Problems	161	(1)
Box 8.1 Social Problems in the Media
A Fading Drumbeat against Drunken Driving?	162	(2)
Tobacco (Nicotine) Use as a Social Problem	164	(1)
Prescription Drugs, Over-the-Counter Drugs, and Caffeine	165	(2)
Prescription Drugs	166	(1)
Over-the-Counter Drugs	166	(1)
Caffeine	167	(1)
Illegal Drug Use and Abuse	167	(6)
Marijuana	167	(1)
Box 8.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
The Battle over Marijuana: Medicalization or Legalization?	168	(1)
Stimulants	169	(2)
Depressants	171	(1)
Narcotics	171	(1)
Hallucinogens	172	(1)
Explanations of Drug Abuse	173	(3)
Biological Explanations	173	(1)
Psychological Explanations	173	(1)
Sociological Explanations	174	(2)
The Future of Alcohol and Drug Abuse	176	(6)
Prevention Programs	176	(2)
Treatment Programs	178	(2)
Summary	180	(1)
Key Terms	181	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	181	(1)
Crime and Criminal Justice	182	(30)
Crime as a Social Problem	183	(3)
Problems with Official Statistics	184	(1)
Defining Crime and Delinquency	184	(2)
Types of Crimes	186	(9)
Violent Crime	186	(2)
Box 9.1 Social Problems in the Media
What Makes Murder So Newsworthy?	188	(3)
Property Crime	191	(2)
Occupational (White-Collar) Crime	193	(1)
Corporate Crime	193	(1)
Organized Crime	194	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency	194	(1)
Who Commits Crimes?	195	(2)
Biological and Psychological Explanations of Crime	197	(1)
Biological Explanations	197	(1)
Psychological Explanations	197	(1)
Sociological Explanations of Crime	198	(5)
The Functionalist Perspective	198	(2)
The Conflict Perspective	200	(1)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	200	(2)
Box 9.2 Social Problems in the Media
The Virtual World of Extreme Violence	202	(1)
The Criminal Justice System	203	(9)
The Police	204	(1)
The Courts	205	(1)
Punishment and the Prisons	206	(1)
The Death Penalty	207	(1)
Box 9.3 Social Problems and Social Policy
Crime Prevention or the Prison-Industrial Complex?	208	(1)
Summary	209	(1)
Key Terms	210	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	211	(1)
Health Care: Problems of Physical and Mental Illness	212	(24)
Health Care as a Social Problem	213	(6)
Acute and Chronic Diseases and Disability	216	(2)
Box 10.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Global Enemies of Health: The Double Burden of Low-Income Nations	218	(1)
The AIDS Crisis	218	(1)
Mental Illness as a Social Problem	219	(5)
Treatment of Mental Illness	221	(1)
Race, Class, Gender, and Mental Disorders	222	(2)
The Crisis in U.S. Health Care	224	(7)
Health Care Organization, Rising Costs, and Unequal Access	224	(1)
Box 10.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Health Care: The Canadian Model	225	(3)
Social Problems and Statistics
Families without Health Insurance	228	(1)
The Uninsured and the Underinsured	229	(1)
Race, Class, Gender, and Health Care	230	(1)
Sociological Explanations for Health Care Problems	231	(5)
The Functionalist Perspective	231	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	232	(1)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	233	(1)
Summary	234	(1)
Key Terms	235	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	235	(1)
The Changing Family	236	(24)
The Nature of Families	237	(4)
Changing Family Structure and Patterns	238	(1)
Are U.S. Families in Decline?	238	(1)
Box 11.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
The Changing Family around the World	239	(1)
Changing Views on Marriage and Families	240	(1)
Sociological Perspectives on Family-Related Problems	241	(3)
Functionalist Perspectives	242	(1)
Conflict and Feminist Perspectives	242	(1)
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives	243	(1)
Diversity in Intimate Relationships and Families	244	(3)
Singlehood	244	(1)
Postponing Marriage	244	(1)
Cohabitation and Domestic Partnerships	245	(1)
Dual-Earner Marriages	246	(1)
Comparing Two-Parent and One-Parent Households	246	(1)
Child-Related Family Issues	247	(5)
Reproductive Freedom, Contraception, and Abortion	248	(1)
Infertility and New Reproductive Technologies	249	(1)
Adoption	250	(1)
Teen Pregnancies and Unmarried Motherhood	250	(2)
Divorce and Remarriage	252	(2)
Social Problems and Statistics
The Odds of Getting Divorced	253	(1)
Domestic Violence	254	(3)
Child Abuse	254	(1)
Spouse Abuse	255	(1)
Social Responses to Domestic Violence	256	(1)
Family-Related Problems in the Twenty-First Century	257	(3)
Box 11.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Day Care: Jump-Starting the Stalled Revolution	257	(1)
Summary	258	(1)
Key Terms	259	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	259	(1)
Problems in Education	260	(22)
Sociological Perspectives on Education	261	(5)
Functionalist Perspectives	262	(1)
Conflict Perspectives	263	(1)
Box 12.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Education in Japan: The Underside of Excellence	263	(2)
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives	265	(1)
Problems in U.S. Education	266	(6)
What Can Be Done about Illiteracy?	266	(1)
Immigration and Increasing Diversity in School	267	(2)
Educational Opportunities and Race, Class, and Gender	269	(2)
School Violence	271	(1)
Problems in School Financing	272	(3)
Box 12.2 Social Problems in the Media
Channel One: Commercialism in the Classroom	273	(2)
Problems in Higher Education	275	(3)
The Soaring Cost of a College Education	275	(1)
Social Problems and Statistics
Does Spending More Money Guarantee a Better Education?	276	(1)
The Continuing Debate over Affirmative Action	277	(1)
Educational Problems in the Twenty-First Century	278	(4)
Summary	279	(1)
Key Terms	280	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	281	(1)
Problems in Politics and the Global Economy	282	(22)
Types of Economies	284	(2)
Preindustrial Economies	284	(1)
Industrial Economies	284	(1)
Postindustrial Economies	284	(2)
Three Major Modern Economic Systems	286	(1)
Problems in the Global Economy	286	(2)
Transnational Corporations and the Lack of Accountability	287	(1)
Box 13.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Global Consumerism: Something for Everyone?	288	(1)
Problems in the U.S. Economy	288	(4)
Concentration of Wealth	288	(2)
The National Debt and Consumer Debt	290	(1)
Corporate Welfare	291	(1)
Problems in Political Participation Around the World	292	(1)
Problems in U.S. Politics	293	(5)
Voter Apathy and the Gender Gap	293	(1)
Politics and Money in Political Campaigns	293	(1)
Box 13.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Campaign Finance Reform	294	(2)
Government by Special-Interest Groups	296	(1)
Government by Bureaucracy	296	(1)
The Military-Industrial Complex	297	(1)
Sociological Perspectives on the Political Economy	298	(2)
The Functionalist Perspective	298	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	299	(1)
Problems in Politics and the Economy in the Twenty-First Century	300	(4)
Summary	301	(1)
Key Terms	302	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	303	(1)
Problems in the Media	304	(20)
The Political Economy of Media Industries	306	(6)
Media Ownership and Control	307	(2)
Problems Associated with Convergence	309	(1)
Box 14.1 Social Problems in the Media
Virtual Media versus the Mainstream Press	310	(2)
Global Media Issues	312	(2)
Box 14.2 Social Problems in the Global Perspective
The Depiction of Africa by the Global Media: Omissions and Commissions	313	(1)
Potential Media Effects	314	(4)
Aggression, Violence, and the Media	314	(2)
Perpetuation of Race and Gender Stereotypes in the Media	316	(2)
Sociological Perspectives on Media-Related Problems	318	(2)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	318	(1)
The Functionalist Perspective	319	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	319	(1)
The Media in the Twenty-First Century	320	(4)
Summary	321	(2)
Key Terms	323	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	323	(1)
Population and the Environmental Crisis	324	(26)
Global Overpopulation	325	(7)
Population Growth	325	(3)
The Impact of Population Growth	328	(1)
Box 15.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Worldwide Migration	328	(2)
World Hunger	330	(2)
Controlling Fertility	332	(2)
Family Planning	333	(1)
Zero Population Growth	333	(1)
Immigration and its Consequences	334	(2)
Population and the Environment	336	(8)
Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation	337	(1)
Air Pollution	337	(3)
Problems with Water, Soil, and Forests	340	(1)
Solid, Toxic, and Nuclear Wastes	341	(1)
Box 15.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
What to Do with Waste? NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard!)	342	(2)
Sociological Perspectives on Population and the Environment	344	(2)
The Functionalist Perspective	344	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	345	(1)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	346	(1)
Population and the Environment in the Twenty-First Century	346	(4)
Summary	347	(1)
Key Terms	348	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	349	(1)
Urban Problems	350	(22)
Changes in U.S. Cities	352	(2)
Early Urban Growth and Social Problems	352	(1)
Contemporary Urban Growth	352	(2)
Urban Problems in the United States	354	(8)
Fiscal Crisis in Cities	354	(2)
The Crisis in Health Care	356	(1)
Housing Problems	356	(1)
Box 16.1 Social Problems in the Media
Homelessness and the Holidays	357	(3)
Racial and Ethnic Segregation	360	(2)
Problems in Global Cities	362	(3)
Sociological Perspectives on Urban Problems	365	(4)
The Functionalist Perspective	365	(1)
The Conflict Perspective	366	(1)
Box 16.2 Social Problems and Social Policy
Who Will Benefit Most from the Community Renewal Initiative?	366	(2)
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective	368	(1)
Urban Problems in the Twenty-First Century	369	(3)
Summary	370	(1)
Key Terms	371	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	371	(1)
Global Social Problems: War and Terrorism	372	(20)
War as a Social Problem	374	(5)
The Nature of War	374	(1)
The Consequences of War	375	(1)
Box 17.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective
Surviving the War in Bosnia	375	(4)
Military Technology and War	379	(1)
Global Terrorism	380	(2)
Domestic Terrorism in the United States	382	(3)
Box 17.2 Social Problems in the Media
Media and Terrorism: What Is the Line between Information and Fear?	383	(2)
Explanations of War and Terrorism	385	(3)
Biological Perspectives	385	(1)
Psychological Perspectives	386	(1)
Sociological Explanations	387	(1)
War and Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century	388	(4)
Summary	389	(1)
Key Terms	390	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	391	(1)
Can Social Problems Be Solved?	392	(20)
A Review of Major Social Theories on Social Problems	394	(1)
Social Change and Reducing Social Problems	395	(1)
Microlevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems	396	(1)
Seeking Individual Solutions to Personal Problems	396	(1)
Limitations of the Microlevel Solutions Approach	397	(1)
Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems	397	(5)
Groups That Help People Cope with Their Problems	397	(1)
Grassroots Groups That Work for Community-Based Change	398	(2)
Box 18.1 Social Problems and Social Policy
Floating Homeless Shelters: A Solution or a Problem for Homeless People?	400	(1)
Limitations of the Midlevel Solutions Approach	401	(1)
Macrolevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems	402	(10)
Working through Special-Interest Groups for Political Change	402	(1)
Working through National and International Social Movements to Reduce Problems	403	(4)
Limitations of the Macrolevel Solution Approach	407	(1)
Box 18.2 Social Problems in the Media
Mobilizing for Change through the Echo Effect	407	(2)
Summary	409	(1)
Key Terms	410	(1)
Questions for Critical Thinking	411	(1)
Glossary	412	(7)
References	419	(29)
Name Index	448	(7)
Subject Index	455