Social Problems An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

by Heiner, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780195129922
• ISBN10: 019512992X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-16
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism synthesizes conflict theory and social constructionism to help students think critically about social problem construction. A concise alternative to the all-encompassing standard textbooks currently available, this book examines a single theoretical paradigm in depth and demonstrates how theory can be used to understand a breadth of real world phenomena. In six succinct chapters, it focuses on the four problems most often found in social problems courses-inequality, family problems, crime/deviance, and population/environment-analyzing each from a critical constructionist perspective. This approach, popular among many sociologists, helps students conceive of social problems not as objective situations that are "out there," but as socially constructed phenomena whose importance varies according to media attention and the needs of particular interest groups. The author makes the important connection between the power of certain interest groups and their ability to draw the public's attention toward certain problems and away from others. He recognizes the critical role that the media plays in problem construction and provides a systematic critique of media interests. A much-needed cross-cultural emphasis illustrates the range of possibilities in which social problems and their solutions can be conceived; alternative problem construction commonly used outside the United States is examined as well. Special attention is given to the effects of globalization and to the role of corporate interests in problem construction. Offering students a solid theoretical background, Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism is intended primarily for social problems courses. Given its readability and consistent application of theory, this book can also be used in introductory sociology courses and social theory courses.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
An Introduction to the Sociology of Social Problems	1	(19)
The Sociological Perspective	1	(6)
Critical Constructionism	7	(4)
Non-Sociological Philosophies	11	(1)
The Cross-Cultural and Global Perspectives	12	(2)
Corporate America	14	(1)
The Media	15	(1)
The Homogenization of Culture	16	(2)
Summary	18	(1)
The Plan of This Book	19	(1)
Inequality	20	(43)
The ``Booming'' Economy	20	(3)
The Gap Between the Rich and the Rest	23	(5)
The Plight of the American Worker	28	(11)
Poverty	39	(9)
Race and Inequality	48	(7)
Global Inequalities	55	(3)
Application: The Gross Domestic Product	58	(2)
Summary	60	(3)
Problems of the Family	63	(30)
The Family in Historical Perspective	63	(2)
The Family of the 1950s	65	(4)
The Current State of the Family	69	(4)
Children, Our Most Precious Resource?	73	(10)
Capitalism Versus The Family	83	(2)
Application: ``Children Having Children''	85	(5)
Summary	90	(3)
Crime and Deviance	93	(38)
Universality and Relativity	93	(1)
Examples of the Relativity of Crime and Deviance	94	(4)
The Cultural Production of Knowledge About Crime	98	(6)
Crime Scares	104	(7)
Street Crime	111	(8)
The American Punishment Frenzy	119	(7)
Application: Street Violence vs. Corporate Violence	126	(3)
Summary	129	(2)
Problems of the Environment	131	(35)
Technology and the Environment	131	(1)
Scientific Uncertainty	132	(2)
Corporate Suasion	134	(10)
Consumerism	144	(7)
Inequality and the Environment	151	(3)
Global Inequality	154	(5)
Application: Overpopulation	159	(4)
Summary	163	(3)
Conclusions	166	(5)
Notes	171	(18)
Index	189