Appropriate for the Social Problems course.
This theoretically balanced text provides the latest research and a consistent structure to help students analyze critical social problems facing the United States.
The author presents both sides of an argument with a neutral voice and use a "down-to-earth" writing style. By using Social Problems: A Down-To-Earth Approach 10e, not only do students gain a sociological understanding of social problems, but also they are able to explore–and evaluate–their own opinions about specific social problems. They will gain a greater awareness of the social forces that shape their orientations to social problems and their perspectives on social life. The ideas in this book, then, can penetrate students’ thinking and give shape to their views of the world.
Table of Contents:
IN THIS SECTION:
1. BRIEF
2. COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma
Chapter 2: Interpreting Social Problems: Aging
Chapter 3: Social Problems Related to Sexual Behavior
Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs
Chapter 5: Violence in Society: Rape and Murder
Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice
Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Poverty and Wealth
Chapter 8: Racial-Ethnic Relations
Chapter 9: Inequalities of Gender and Sexual Orientation
Chapter 10: Medical Care: Physical and Mental Illness
Chapter 11: The Changing Family
Chapter 12: Urbanization and Population
Chapter 13: The Environmental Crisis
Chapter 14: War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma
The Sociological Imagination
What Is a Social Problem?
The Natural History of Social Problems: Four Stages
The Role of Sociology in Social Problems
Chapter 2 Interpreting Social Problems: Aging
Sociological Theories and Social Problems
Functionalism and Social Problems
Conflict Theory and Social Problems
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems
The Future of the Problem: The Pendulum Swings
Chapter 3 Social Problems Related to Sexual Behavior
Objective Conditions and Subjective Concerns
Prostitution
Pornography
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 4 Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings: The Use and Abuse of Drugs
Research Findings: The Recreational Mood Elevators
Research Findings: The Hallucinogens
Research Findings: The Barbiturates and Amphetamines
Research Findings: Steroids
Research Findings: The Narcotics, Opium, Morphine, and Heroin
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 5 Violence in Society: Rape and Murder
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings: Rape
Research Findings: Murder
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 6 Crime and Criminal Justice
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically?
Types of Crime
The Criminal Justice System
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 7 Economic Problems: Poverty and Wealth
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings
Social Policy
Chapter 8 Racial-Ethnic Relations
The Problems in Sociological Prespective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 9 Inequalities of Gender and Sexual Orientation
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theorectically
Research Findings
Homosexuality
Violence Against Women
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 10 Medical Care: Physical and Mental Illness
The Problem in Sociological Perspective: The Social Nature of Health and Illness
The Problem in Sociological Perspective: The Social Organization of Medicine
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theorectically
Research Findings
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 11 The Changing Family
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically: Why is Divorce Common?
Research Findings
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 12 Urbanization and Population
Urbanization: The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Population: The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 13 The Environmental Crisis
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings: Pollution
Research Findings: Conflicting Interpretations
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
Chapter 14 War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
The Problem in Sociologically Perspective
The Scope of the Problem
Looking at the Problem Theoretically
Research Findings: War
Research Findings: Terrorism
Social Policy
The Future of the Problem
About the Author :
James M. Henslin, who was born in Minnesota, graduated from high school and junior college in California and from college in Indiana. Awarded scholarships, he earned his Master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After this, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health, and spent a year studying how people adjust to the suicide of a family member. His primary interests in sociology are the sociology of everyday life, deviance, and international relations. Among his numerous books are Sociology: A-Down-to-Earth Approach (Allyn & Bacon, available in three versions); Social Problems (Allyn & Bacon); and Down-to-Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings (Free Press). He has also published widely in sociology journals, including Social Problems and American Journal of Sociology.
While a graduate student, Jim Henslin taught at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. After completing his doctorate, he joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, where he is Professor Emeritus of Sociology. His two favorite activities are writing and traveling. He especially enjoys visiting and living in other cultures, for this brings him face to face with behaviors and ways of thinking that he cannot take for granted, experiences that “make sociological principles come alive.”
