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Why Do You Need This New Edition?, i
Copyright, iv
Preface, xiv
Chapter 1. Studying Social Problems in the Twenty-First Century, 1
Using Sociological Insights to Study Social Problems, 3
What Is a Social Problem?, 3
The Sociological Imagination: Bringing Together the Personal and the Social, 4
Box 1.1 Social Problems and Social Policy: “Packing Heat”: Should College Students Be Allowed to Carry Guns on Campus?, 6
Do We Have a Problem? Subjective Awareness and Objective Reality, 6
Using Social Theory to Analyze Social Problems, 8
The Functionalist Perspective, 8
Box 1.2 Critical Thinking and You: Determining What Constitutes a Social Problem, 9
The Conflict Perspective, 11
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 14
Using Social Research Methods to Study Social Problems, 15
Field Research, 15
Box 1.3 Social Problems in the Media: “If It Bleeds, It Leads”? News Reporting on Violence, 16
Survey Research, 18
Secondary Analysis of Existing Data, 18
Is there a Solution to a Problem Such as Gun Violence?, 19
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions, 19
Conflict/Liberal Solutions, 20
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions, 21
Critique of Our Efforts to Find Solutions, 21
Summary, 22
Key Terms, 23
Questions for Critical Thinking, 23
Chapter 2. Wealth and Poverty: U.S. and Global Economic Inequalities, 24
Wealth and Poverty in Global Perspective, 26
Box 2.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: A New Way of Looking at World Hunger, 27
Analyzing U.S. Class Inequality, 28
Wealth versus Income Inequality, 30
Divisions in the U.S. Class Structure, 31
Poverty in the United States, 32
Box 2.2 Social Problems and Statistics: Poverty in the United States, 33
The Poverty Line, 33
Who Are the Poor?, 34
Consequences of Poverty, 36
Social Welfare in the United States, 37
Box 2.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: More Than a Decade after Reforms: Welfare Rolls Down—Poverty Up, 38
Explanations for Poverty, 38
Is there a Solution to Poverty?, 40
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions to the Problem of Poverty, 40
Conflict/Liberal Solutions to the Problem of Poverty, 41
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions to the Problem of Poverty, 42
Summary, 43
Key Terms, 44
Questions for Critical Thinking, 44
Chapter 3. Racial and Ethnic Inequality, 45
Racial and Ethnic Inequality as a Social Problem, 47
What Are Race and Ethnicity?, 47
“Official” Racial and Ethnic Classifications, 47
Dominant and Subordinate Groups, 48
Racism, Prejudice, and Discrimination, 49
Box 3.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: The Polish Plumber in France: Negative Stereotypes about “Cheap Labor”, 50
Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Inequality, 51
Social-Psychological Perspectives, 51
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives, 51
Functionalist Perspectives, 52
Box 3.2 Social Problems in the Media: Video Games, Racial Stereotypes, and Glamorized Violence, 52
Conflict Perspectives, 54
Inequalities Among Racial and Ethnic Groups, 55
Native Americans (American Indians), 55
African Americans, 56
Latinos/as (Hispanic Americans), 58
Asian and Pacific Americans, 60
Box 3.3 Social Problems and Statistics: Accurate and Inaccurate Comparisons, 60
Box 3.4 Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Justice: Beyond Black and White, 62
Is there a Solution to Racial and Ethnic Inequality?, 63
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions to the Problem of Racial and Ethnic Inequality, 64
Conflict/Liberal Solutions to the Problem of Racial and Ethnic Inequality, 64
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions to the Problem of Racial and Ethnic Inequality, 65
Summary, 66
Key Terms, 67
Questions for Critical Thinking, 67
Chapter 4. Gender Inequality, 68
Gender Inequality as a Social Problem, 70
Defining Sex and Gender, 70
Biological and Social Bases for Gender Roles, 70
Gender Inequality and Socialization, 71
Gender Socialization by Parents, 71
Peers and Gender Socialization, 72
Education and Gender Socialization, 72
Box 4.1 Critical Thinking and You: Does Class Position Influence How We Think About Gender?, 73
Sports and Gender Socialization, 74
The Media and Gender Socialization, 75
Box 4.2 Social Problems and Social Policy: Title IX and Gender Quotas in College Sports, 75
Contemporary Gender Inequality, 77
The Gendered Division of Paid Work, 77
The Wage Gap, 79
Sexual Harassment, 80
The Glass Ceiling and the Glass Escalator, 81
The Double Shift, 82
Perspectives on Gender Inequality, 82
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 83
The Functionalist Perspective, 83
Conflict and Feminist Perspectives, 84
Global Gender Inequality, 85
Box 4.3 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Missing Girls: Facing Up to the Problem in China, 86
Is there a Solution to Gender-Related Inequality?, 87
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions to the Problem of Gender Inequality, 87
Conflict/Liberal Solutions to the Problem of Gender Inequality, 87
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions to the Problem of Gender Inequality, 88
Summary, 88
Key Terms, 89
Questions for Critical Thinking, 89
Chapter 5. Inequality Based on Age, 90
Ageism as a Social Problem, 92
Age-Based Stereotypes, 92
Social Inequality and the Life Course, 93
Box 5.1 Social Problems in the Media: Middle-aged Women: Over the Hill and in Need of Repair?, 96
Death and Dying, 97
Box 5.2 Social Problems and Statistics: Drawing the Wrong Conclusion, 99
Problems Associated with Aging, 100
Workplace Discrimination, 100
Retirement and Changing Roles, 100
Health, Illness, and Health Care, 101
Victimization, 101
Family Problems and Social Isolation, 102
Box 5.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: Government-Funded Health Care for Older People: Medicare, 102
Housing Patterns and Long-Term Care Facilities, 103
Perspectives on Aging and Social Inequality, 104
The Functionalist Perspective, 104
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 105
The Conflict Perspective, 105
Is there a Solution to Age-Based Inequality?, 106
Summary, 107
Key Terms, 108
Questions for Critical Thinking, 108
Chapter 6. Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation, 109
Nature and Extent of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation, 111
Box 6.1 Social Problems and Statistics: How Many Gays and Lesbians?, 111
Ideological Bases of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation, 112
Religion and Sexual Orientation, 112
Box 6.2 Social Problems in the Media: Getting Better All the Time? Representations of Gay Life on TV, 113
Law and Sexual Orientation, 114
Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, 115
Lack of Marital Rights, 115
Parental Rights, 116
Box 6.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: Should We Amend the U.S. Constitution to Define “Marriage”?, 117
Housing Discrimination, 118
Discrimination in Medical Care, 118
Occupational Discrimination, 119
Discrimination in the Military, 120
Victimization and Hate Crimes, 120
Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Social Inequality, 121
Biological and Psychological Perspectives, 121
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives, 122
Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives, 123
Is there a Solution to Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation?, 124
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions to the Problem, 124
Conflict/Liberal Solutions to the Problem, 125
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions to the Problem, 125
Summary, 126
Key Terms, 127
Questions for Critical Thinking, 127
Chapter 7. Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry, 128
Deviance, the Sex Industry, and Social Problems, 129
Prostitution in Global Perspective, 130
The World’s Oldest Profession?, 130
The Global Sex Industry, 131
Box 7.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Economic Development or Childhood Sexual Slavery?, 132
Health Aspects of Prostitution for Women, 133
Prostitution in the United States, 134
The Nature of Prostitution, 134
The Extent of Prostitution, 135
Prostitution and Age, Class, and Race, 135
Box 7.2 Social Problems and Statistics: What We Know and Don’t Know about Prostitution, 136
Sociological Perspectives on Prostitution, 137
The Functionalist Perspective, 137
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 138
The Conflict Perspective, 138
Pornography, 139
The Social Construction of Pornography as a Social Problem, 140
The Nature and Extent of Pornography, 140
Box 7.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: The Issue of Real versus Virtual Actors in Internet Child Pornography, 141
Research on Pornography, 142
Pornography and Age, Gender, Class, and Race, 142
Is there a Solution to Problems Associated with Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry?, 143
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions, 144
Conflict/Liberal Solutions, 144
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions, 145
Summary, 146
Key Terms, 147
Questions for Critical Thinking, 147
Chapter 8. Alcohol and Other Drugs, 148
Drug Use and Abuse, 150
Defining Drug Abuse, 150
Drug Addiction, 151
Alcohol Use and Abuse, 151
Alcohol Consumption and Class, Gender, Age, and Race, 152
Box 8.1 Social Problems in the Media: TV Shows and the Framing of Alcohol Use, 153
Alcohol-Related Social Problems, 154
Tobacco (Nicotine) Use as a Social Problem, 156
Prescription Drugs, Over-the-Counter Drugs, and Caffeine, 157
Prescription Drugs, 157
Over-the-Counter Drugs, 158
Caffeine, 159
Illegal Drug Use and Abuse, 159
Marijuana, 159
Stimulants, 160
Box 8.2 Social Problems and Social Policy: The Battle over Marijuana: Medicalization or Legalization, 161
Depressants, 163
Narcotics, 163
Hallucinogens, 164
Explanations of Drug Abuse, 164
Biological Explanations, 165
Psychological Explanations, 165
Sociological Explanations, 165
Is there a Solution to Problems Associated with Alcohol and Drug Abuse?, 167
Prevention Programs, 167
Treatment Programs, 169
The Medical Treatment Model, 170
The Therapeutic Community, 170
Box 8.3 Critical Thinking and You: Calling on a Higher Power or Using Self-Reliance? Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, 171
Summary, 172
Key Terms, 173
Questions for Critical Thinking, 173
Chapter 9. Crime and Criminal Justice, 174
Crime as a Social Problem, 176
Problems with Official Statistics, 176
Defining Crime and Delinquency, 177
Types of Crimes, 177
Violent Crime, 178
Box 9.1 Social Problems in the Media: Murder in the Media: Framing News Stories to Get Attention, 180
Property Crime, 183
Occupational (White-Collar) Crime, 184
Box 9.2 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Who Am I? Identity Theft in the Global Village, 184
Corporate Crime, 185
Organized Crime, 186
Juvenile Delinquency, 187
Who Commits Crimes?, 187
Biological and Psychological Explanations of Crime, 188
Biological Explanations, 188
Psychological Explanations, 189
Sociological Explanations of Crime, 189
The Functionalist Perspective, 189
The Conflict Perspective, 191
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 192
The Criminal Justice System, 193
The Police, 193
The Courts, 194
Punishment and the Prisons, 195
The Death Penalty, 196
Box 9.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: Crime Prevention or the Prison-Industrial Complex?, 197
Is there a Solution to the Crime Problem?, 198
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions, 198
Conflict/Liberal Solutions, 198
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions, 199
Summary, 200
Key Terms, 201
Questions for Critical Thinking, 201
Chapter 10. Health Care: Problems of Physical and Mental Illness, 202
Health Care as a Social Problem, 203
Acute and Chronic Diseases and Disability, 205
Box 10.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Global Enemies of Health: The Double Burden of Low-Income Nations, 206
The AIDS Crisis, 207
Mental Illness as a Social Problem, 208
Treatment of Mental Illness, 209
Race, Class, Gender, and Mental Disorders, 211
The Crisis in U.S. Health Care, 212
Health-Care Organization, Rising Costs, and Unequal Access, 212
Box 10.2 Social Problems and Social Policy: Who Pays for Health Care? A Brief Look at Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, 213
The Uninsured and the Underinsured, 216
Box 10.3 Social Problems and Statistics: Families without Health Insurance, 217
Race, Class, Gender, and Health Care, 218
Sociological Explanations and Solutions, 219
The Functionalist Perspective, 219
The Conflict Perspective, 220
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 221
Summary, 222
Key Terms, 223
Questions for Critical Thinking, 223
Chapter 11. The Changing Family, 224
The Nature of Families, 225
Changing Family Structure and Patterns, 226
Are U.S. Families in Decline?, 226
Changing Views on Marriage and Families, 227
Box 11.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: The Changing Family around the World, 228
Diversity in Intimate Relationships and Families, 229
Singlehood, 229
Postponing Marriage, 230
Cohabitation and Domestic Partnerships, 230
Dual-Earner Marriages, 231
Comparing Two-Parent and One-Parent Households, 231
Child-Related Family Issues, 232
Reproductive Freedom, Contraception, and Abortion, 233
Infertility and New Reproductive Technologies, 234
Adoption, 235
Teen Pregnancies and Unmarried Motherhood, 236
Divorce and Remarriage, 237
Box 11.2 Social Problems and Statistics: The Odds of Getting Divorced, 238
Domestic Violence, 239
Child Abuse, 239
Spouse Abuse, 240
Social Responses to Domestic Violence, 241
Sociological Perspectives and Solutions, 241
Functionalist Perspectives, 242
Conflict and Feminist Perspectives, 243
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives, 243
Box 11.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: Paying for Child Care? “It Takes a Village . . .”, 245
Summary, 246
Key Terms, 247
Questions for Critical Thinking, 247
Chapter 12. Problems in Education, 248
Sociological Perspectives on Education, 250
Functionalist Perspectives, 250
Box 12.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Cramming for Success in Japan and South Korea, 251
Conflict Perspectives, 252
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives, 253
Problems in U.S. Education, 254
What Can Be Done about Illiteracy?, 254
Immigration and Increasing Diversity in Schools, 255
Educational Opportunities and Race, Class, and Gender, 256
School Violence, 259
Box 12.2 Social Problems in the Media: Report Card Framing: Does Education Get an “A” or an “F”?, 259
Problems in School Financing, 261
Problems in Higher Education, 261
The Soaring Cost of a College Education, 262
The Continuing Debate over Affirmative Action, 262
Are there Solutions to Educational Problems?, 263
Box 12.3 Social Problems and Statistics: Does Spending More Money Guarantee a Better Education?, 264
Functionalist/Conservative Solutions, 264
Conflict/Liberal Solutions, 265
Symbolic Interactionist Solutions, 266
Summary, 266
Key Terms, 268
Questions for Critical Thinking, 268
Chapter 13. Problems in Politics and the Global Economy, 269
Three Major Modern Economic Systems, 271
Capitalism, 271
Socialism, 271
Mixed Economies, 272
Problems in the Global Economy, 272
Inequality Based on Uneven Economic Development, 272
Transnational Corporations and the Lack of Accountability, 274
Problems in the U.S. Economy, 274
Concentration of Wealth, 274
Box 13.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: The Malling of China: Transnational Corporations and Global Consumerism, 275
The National Debt and Consumer Debt, 276
Corporate Welfare, 278
Problems in Political Participation Around the World, 278
Box 13.2 Critical Thinking and You: Are You a Conservative or a Liberal? The Language of the Political Economy, 279
Problems in U.S. Politics, 280
Voter Apathy and the Gender Gap, 280
Politics and Money in Political Campaigns, 281
Government by Special-Interest Groups, 282
Government by Bureaucracy, 282
Box 13.3 Social Problems and Social Policy: “He Who Pays the Piper, Calls the Piper’s Tune?” Passing Campaign Finance Reform, 283
The Military-Industrial Complex, 284
Sociological Perspectives on the Political Economy, 285
The Functionalist Perspective, 285
The Conflict Perspective, 286
Are there Solutions to Problems in Politics and the Economy?, 287
Summary, 287
Key Terms, 288
Questions for Critical Thinking, 288
Chapter 14. Problems in the Media, 289
The Importance of the Media in Contemporary Life, 291
The Political Economy of Media Industries, 292
Media Ownership and Control, 292
Problems Associated with Convergence, 294
Global Media Issues, 295
Box 14.1 Social Problems in the Media: Where Does Your News Come From? Should You Care?, 296
Box 14.2 Social Problems in Global Perspective: Skewed Depictions of China in the Media?, 297
Potential Media Effects, 298
Aggression, Violence, and the Media, 298
Racial and Ethnic Stereotyping, 299
Gender Stereotyping, 301
Sociological Perspectives on Media-Related Problems, 302
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 302
The Functionalist Perspective, 303
The Conflict Perspective, 304
Box 14.3 Critical Thinking and You: Media Ownership: Can Business and Personal Ties Create a Disservice to Audiences?, 305
Are there Solutions to Media-Related Problems?, 306
Summary, 306
Key Terms, 308
Questions for Critical Thinking, 308
Chapter 15. Population, Global Inequality, and the Environmental Crisis, 309
Global Overpopulation, 310
Population Growth, 311
The Impact of Population Growth, 312
Box 15.1 Social Problems in Global Perspective: International Migration: Problem or Solution?, 313
World Hunger, 315
Controlling Fertility, 317
Family Planning, 317
Zero Population Growth, 318
Immigration and its Consequences, 318
Box 15.2 Social Problems in the Media: “Run! Hide!” Media Framing of the Illegal Border-Crossing Experience, 320
Population and the Environment, 321
Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation, 321
Air Pollution, 322
Problems with Water, Soil, and Forests, 324
Solid, Toxic, and Nuclear Wastes, 326
Sociological Perspectives and Solutions for Population and Environmental Problems, 327
The Functionalist Perspective, 328
Box 15.3 Critical Thinking and You: Do We Have a Problem or Not? Learning from Environmental Sociology, 328
The Functionalist Perspective, 328
The Conflict Perspective, 329
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 330
Summary, 330
Key Terms, 332
Questions for Critical Thinking, 332
Chapter 16. Urban Problems, 333
Changes in U.S. Cities, 335
Early Urban Growth and Social Problems, 335
Contemporary Urban Growth, 335
Urban Problems in the United States, 337
Fiscal Crises in Cities, 337
The Crisis in Health Care, 338
Housing Problems, 339
Box 16.1 Social Problems in the Media: Media Framing of Stories about Homelessness and the Holidays, 340
Box 16.2 Social Problems and Social Policy: Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and Homelessness: What Should the Government Do?, 343
Racial and Ethnic Segregation, 344
Problems in Global Cities, 346
Sociological Perspectives and Solutions to Urban Problems, 348
The Functionalist Perspective, 348
The Conflict Perspective, 349
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, 349
Summary, 351
Key Terms, 352
Questions for Critical Thinking, 352
Chapter 17. Global Social Problems: War and Terrorism, 353
War as a Social Problem, 355
The Nature of War, 355
The Consequences of War, 356
Box 17.1 Social Problems in the Media: “Weapons of Mass Destruction”: Political Spin and Media Framing of a War, 358
Military Technology and War, 359
Global Terrorism, 361
Terrorism in the United States, 362
Explanations of War and Terrorism, 363
Biological Perspectives, 363
Psychological Perspectives, 364
Sociological Explanations, 365
The Conflict and Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives, 366
Solutions to War and Terrorism, 366
Box 17.2 Social Problems and Social Policy: Does the USA PATRIOT Act Protect Us or Threaten Our Liberties? Ask Your Librarian, 367
Summary, 368
Key Terms, 369
Questions for Critical Thinking, 370
Chapter 18. Can Social Problems Be Solved?, 371
Box 18.1 Social Problems in the Media: Covering the Hurricane Katrina Disaster: Journalists as Advocates in New Orleans, 373
The Problem With Tackling Social Problems, 374
Social Change and Reducing Social Problems, 375
Microlevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems, 376
Seeking Individual Solutions to Personal Problems, 376
Limitations of the Microlevel Solutions Approach, 377
Midrange Attempts to Solve Social Problems, 377
Groups That Help People Cope with Their Problems, 378
Grassroots Groups That Work for Community-Based Change, 378
Limitations of the Midlevel Solutions Approach, 380
Macrolevel Attempts to Solve Social Problems, 381
Working through Special-Interest Groups for Political Change, 381
Working through National and International Social Movements to Reduce Problems, 381
Limitations of the Macrolevel Solution Approach, 385
Box 18.2 Critical Thinking and You: Applying Sociology to the Ordinary and the Extraordinary in Everyday Life, 385
Final Review of Social Theories and Social Problems, 386
Summary, 389
Key Terms, 390
Questions for Critical Thinking, 390
Glossary, 391
References, 397
Name Index, 423
Subject Index, 428
Credits, 444

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