Think Twice! Sociology Looks at Current Social Issues

by Tepperman, Lorne; Blain, Jenny

• ISBN13: 9780130995285
• ISBN10: 0130995282
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-18
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This volume lets readers realize for themselves that a "sociological imagination" can help them understand the burning questions of today's society, and that this kind of thinking is within their grasp. It illustrates how understanding society means engaging with its issues. The book consists of a series of debates in which multiple sides of today's hottest topics are examined: Is the environment improving? Is religion dead? Do poor people create their own poverty? Should marijuana be legalized? Is ethnic nationalism destructive? Revealing how much sociology has to contribute to our understanding of these topics, it encourages readers to Think Twice...then think again.The essays and debates presented here examine the issues surrounding the individual and society, social differences, social institutions and social change.For anyone interested in a balanced view of many of the most crucial issues and dilemmas in our society and our earth.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART I THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
Culture	1	(23)
Shouldn't Everybody in This Country Think Just Like Me?	1	(7)
Do Poor People Have Bad Values?	8	(8)
What's Wrong with Gambling?	16	(8)
Socialization	24	(22)
Is Father Knows Best Best for Children?	24	(7)
Should Jamie Be Spanked?	31	(8)
Should We Teach That Money Buys Happiness?	39	(7)
Deviance and Control	46	(22)
Does More Poverty Equal More Crime?	46	(7)
Do We Have Enough Jails?	53	(7)
Should Getting High Be Legal?	60	(8)
PART II SOCIAL DIFFERENCES
Class and Stratification	68	(22)
Shouldn't Poor People Be Happy That Others Are Rich?	68	(7)
Who Gets Ahead in the ``Land of Opportunity''?	75	(7)
Isn't Welfare Dangerous?	82	(8)
Global Inequality	90	(22)
Is Economic Development the Answer?	90	(9)
Does Western ``Aid'' Actually Help?	99	(6)
Is Democracy the Answer?	105	(7)
Race and Ethnic Relations	112	(20)
Is Love All You Need?	112	(7)
Are Two Wrongs Trying to Make a Right?	119	(6)
Is Too Much National Spirit a Bad Thing?	125	(7)
Religion	132	(21)
Are Traditional Religions against Women?	132	(7)
Whose Heritage Are We Protecting?	139	(7)
Should Churches Mix in Politics?	146	(7)
Gender Relations	153	(19)
Do Employers Treat Women Like Second-Class Men?	153	(7)
Whatever Happened to the ``New Man''?	160	(5)
Do We Imitate the Males and Females We See on TV?	165	(7)
PART III SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Family	172	(23)
Do Families Have a Future?	172	(8)
Are Homosexual Unions Really Families?	180	(7)
Does a Happy Marriage Mean Finding ``Mr. or Ms. Right''?	187	(8)
Work and the Economy	195	(20)
Is College a Waste of Time?	195	(7)
What Happened to Leisure?	202	(6)
Did We Lose the Wrong Jobs?	208	(7)
Education	215	(19)
Does School Streaming Keep Poor People Poor?	215	(6)
Should Religion Be a School Subject?	221	(5)
Why Not Stay Home to Learn?	226	(8)
Politics and the State	234	(22)
Who Needs States When There's MTV, the Internet, and McDonalds?	234	(8)
Does It Really Matter Who Runs the Jails?	242	(6)
Are the Mass Media Too Involved in Politics?	248	(8)
Health	256	(21)
Who's ``Sick''?	256	(7)
Do People Everywhere Have the Same Chance of Good Health?	263	(7)
Should Mentally Ill People Be De-Institutionalized?	270	(7)
PART IV SOCIAL CHANGE
Population	277	(21)
Are There Too Many People Around?	277	(7)
Are States the Biggest Cause of Death?	284	(7)
Is It Time to Raise the Drawbridge on Immigration?	291	(7)
Building a Better Future	298
Do We Need the Kyoto Accord?	298	(8)
Should the Internet Be Censored?	306	(8)
Has Individualism Become Excessive?	314