Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach: United States Edition

This theoretically balanced text provides the latest research findings and a consistent structure to help students analyze major social problems facing the United States.  Henslin presents boths sides of an argument with a neutral voice and has a "down-to-earth" writing style.   When students complete this text, not only do they 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:
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS   PART I: THE SOCIOLOGY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS Chapter 1: How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma  Chapter 2: Interpreting Social Problems: Aging   PART II: NORM VIOLATIONS IN SOCIAL CONTEXT Chapter 3: Human Sexual Behavior Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs Chapter 5: Violence in Society: Rape and Murder Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice   PART III: PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty Chapter 8: Racial-Ethnic Relations Chapter 9: Sex Discrimination Chapter 10: Medical Care: Physical and Mental Illness   PART IV: SOCIAL CHANGE AND MEGAPROBLEMS Chapter 11: The Changing Family  Chapter 12: Urban Problems  Chapter 13: Population and Food Chapter 14: The Environmental Crisis Chapter 15: War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power       COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS   PART I: THE SOCIOLOGY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS   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 First Stage: Defining the Problem, the Emergence of Leaders, and Beginning to Organize The Second Stage: Crafting and Official Response The Third Stage: Reacting to the Official Response The Fourth Stage: Developing Alternative Strategies The Role of Sociology in Social Problems Summary and Review   Chapter 2: Interpreting Social Problems: Aging Sociological Theories and Social Problems Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems The Development of Symbolic Interactionism Functionalism and Social Problems Conflict Theory and Social Problems The Future of the Problem: The Pendulum Swings Chapter Summary and Review   PART II: NORM VIOLATIONS IN SOCIAL CONTEXT   Chapter 3: Human Sexual Behavior Objective Conditions and Subjective Concerns Homosexuality Prostitution Pornography Resistance and Co-opting Feminists Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs The Problem in Social 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 Amphetamines, Barbituates, and Heroin Research Findings: Narcotics, Crime, and the Law Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   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 Issues in Social Problems: Date (or Acquaintance) Rape Murder Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review     Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review    PART III: PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY   Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 8: Racial-Ethnic Relations The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 9: Sex Discrimination The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 10: Medical Care: Physical and Mental Illness The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   PART IV: SOCIAL CHANGE AND MEGAPROBLEMS   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 Summary and Review   Chapter 12: Urban Problems  The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically        Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 13: Population and Food The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 14: The Environmental Crisis  The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review   Chapter 15: War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power The Problem in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically Research Findings Social Policy The Future of the Problem Summary and Review 

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.”

Review :
<>“I am convinced that if students master the Henslin text, they will know a lot about social problems in America.”  Sandra Emory, Pensacola Junior College   “Henslin is always very up to date.  The text reflects the current events and cultural events of its time.” Sandra Emory, Pensacola Junior College   “Students respond favorably to Henslin.  Students often complain and say that textbooks are boring and too hard to read but Henslin seems to escape that criticism.” Sandra Emory, Pensacola Junior College   “I think Henslin uses data from good sources and presents them well.” Annette Schwabe, Florida State University   “The Henslin text is not sanitized with a list of sociological terms (jargon), and it brings social problems to life rather than just describing and “cataloging” them.” Annette Schwabe, Florida State University   “Dr. Henslin includes discussion of and data on attitudes about social problems. This is crucial for students trying to understand how social problems are constructed and why social issues are sometimes problems and sometimes not, when the same objective “facts” about a social problem do not change.”  Annette Schwabe, Florida State University   “Dr. Henslin uses examples from actual social problems and shows how they emerged from issues to problems given changes in social norms, political climates, and structural factors.”  Annette Schwabe, Florida State University   “I found the Henslin text more accessible for my students and a better fit for the theoretical approach that I prefer.” Dan Roddick, Rio Hondo College   “Currency is one of the main reasons I’ve chosen Henslin.”  Dan Roddick, Rio Hondo College   “The main attraction of this text for me is Jim Henslin. I am a real fan of his approach and I like having the continuity between my intro and social problems courses.” Dan Roddick, Rio Hondo College   “Henslin is easy to read and includes important social issues that are presented in critically challenging ways.” Glorida Palileo, University of South Alabama   “Henslin is fair in its presentation of controversial topics. There is a wide variety of viewpoints presented, which is better than polarizing the positions.” Mark Miller, East Texas Baptist University   “Henslin was chosen was because it is written in accessible language for students (a big plus in our college) and uses examples and stories that connect better than most texts to the real-life experiences of community college students.” Michael Flota, Daytona Beach Community College   “The Spotlight on Research is excellent and one of the best parts of the book in my opinion.  I always discuss this with the students as I want them to understand the linkage to what they are being taught and real social science research.” Michale Flota, Daytona Beach Community College