Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach: International 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.  The authors present both sides of an argument with a neutral voice and use 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:
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: Sexual Social Problems Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs Chapter 5: Violence in Society: Rape and Murder Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty  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 Issues 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 the Sociological Imagination?   What Is a Social Problem?                The Characteristics of Social Problems  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 an Official Response                       The Third Stage: Reacting to the Official Response                    The Fourth Stage: Developing Alternative Strategies      The Role of Sociology in Social Problems                Sociology as a Tool for Breaking Through Emotions and Defenses                     Sociology and Common Sense              Methods for Studying Social Problems              Should Sociologists Take Sides  SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 2: Interpreting Social Problems: Aging                   Sociological Theories and Social Problems              Functionalism and Social Problems               Introducing Functionalism                      The Development of Functionalism                    Applying Functionalism to Social Problems                    Functionalism and Social Problems: A Summary              Conflict Theory and Social Problems                        Introducing Conflict Theory                   The Development of Conflict Theory                             Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems                 Conflict Theory and Social Problems: A Summary                     Introducing Feminist Theory                  The Development of Feminist Theory                Applying Feminist Theory to Social Problems    Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems                      Introducing Symbolic Interactionism                  The Development of Symbolic Interactionism                         Applying Symbolic Interactionism to Social Problems                Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems: A Summary        The Future of the Problem: The Pendulum Swings              Changing Objective Conditions and Subjective Concerns                      The Emerging Struggle  SUMMARY AND REVIEW            Key Terms     Thinking Critically About Chapter 2 By the Numbers           Chapter 3: Social Problems Related to Sexual Behavior      Objective Conditions and Subjective Concerns       Prostitution                     Background: Getting the Larger Picture                 Prostitution Viewed Theoretically: Applying Functionalism                                 Research on Prostitution             Pornography                       Background: Getting the Larger Picture             Pornography Viewed Theoretically: Applying Symbolic Interactionism                     Controversy and Research on Pornography                 Social Policy               The Question of Making Consensual Behavior Illegal                 Alternatives to Making Consensual Behavior Illegal                   The Future of the Problem                Prostitution and the Future                    Pornography and the Future      SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs        The Problem in Sociological Perspective                  Background of the Problem                  Attempts to Deal with the Problem         The Scope of the Problem                 The Social Problem and the Pro-Drug Orientation of U.S. Society                     Drug Abuse as Personal or Social Problem                   Addiction and Dependence        Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                               Functionalism                    Conflict Theory Research Findings: The Use and Abuse of Drugs               Medicalizing Human Problems                Illegal Drug Use by Students                 The Effects of Drugs     Research Findings: The Recreational Mood Elevators                  Alcohol                        Nicotine             Research Findings: The Hallucinogens                    LSD                 Peyote and Mescaline               Psilocybin                     PCP                 Ecstasy   Research Findings: The Amphetamines, Barbiturates, and Heroin                       Amphetamines              Barbiturates                  Heroin              Research Findings: Narcotics, Crime, and the Law            Social Policy               The Dilemmas of Social Policy  The Future of the Problem    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 5: Violence in Society: Rape and Murder      The Problem in Sociological Perspective                  The Sociological Perspective on Violence          The Scope of the Problem                 What Makes Violence a Social Problem?          Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Nonsociological Theories                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                            Conflict Theory             Research Findings         Rape               The Natural History of Rape as a Social Problem                      The Social Patterns of Rape                  Profiling the Rapist                    Reactions to Rape        Murder                       The Social Patterns of Murder              Explaining Social Patterns         Social Policy               Global Concerns: Preventing Violence   The Future of the Problem    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice   The Problem in Sociological Perspective      The Scope of the Problem                 Crime as a Social Problem        Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                Conflict Theory Types of Crime                   Juvenile Delinquency                 White-Collar Crime                   Professional and Organized Crime                     Political Crime  The Criminal Justice System                     The Criminal Justice System as a Social Problem                       The Sting of Justice                   Bias in the Criminal Justice System                    The Death Penalty                    The Prison Experience  Social Policy   The Future of the Problem    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty The Problem in Sociological Perspective                  Economic Systems and Changes                       Economic Problems Facing the United States                The Nature of Poverty              The Scope of the Problem                             Subjective Concerns and Objective Conditions             The Situation Today                  Social Inequality                       Distribution of Income and Wealth                    The Impact of Poverty  Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Changing Meanings of Poverty              Functionalism                            Conflict Theory             Summary of Theoretical Approaches     Research Findings                 Who Are the Poor?                  Is There a Culture of Poverty?              Who Rules America?                Inequality and Global Power     Social Policy               Historical Changes in Social Policy                                Progressive Taxation                 Public Assistance Programs                  The Feminization of Poverty                  Private Agencies and Volunteer Organizations               The Purpose of Helping the Poor                      Providing Jobs                          Education Accounts                  Giving the Poor More Money               The Future of the Problem                SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 8: Racial-Ethnic Relations          The Problem in Sociological Perspective          The Scope of the Problem                 What Is the Problem?   Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                            Conflict Theory             Summary of Theoretical Approaches                 Research Findings                 Native Americans                     Latinos (Hispanics)                   African Americans                                Asian Americans           Social Policy                           Encouraging Cultural Pluralism              Preventing Discrimination                      The Dilemma of Affirmative Action                    Principles for Improving Relations         The Future of the Problem    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 9: Inequalities of Gender and Sexual Orientation   The Problem in Sociological Perspective      The Scope of the Problem     Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                            Conflict Theory Research Findings                             Are There Natural Differences Between the Sexes?                   Everyday Life                           Education                     The Mass Media                      The World of Politics                            The World of Work                              Why Is Our Workforce Segregated by Sex?                             Sexual Harassment       Homosexuality                     Background: Getting the Larger Picture             Homosexuality Viewed Theoretically: Applying Conflict Theory             Research on Homosexuality                  Homosexuality and the Future               Violence Against Women          Social Policy                           Irreconcilable Ideologies           The Future of the Problem    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 10: Medical Care: Physical and Mental Illness       The Problem in Sociological Perspective                  The Social Nature of Health and Illness             The Social Organization of Medicine as a Source of Problems   The Scope of the Problem                 Physical Illness as a Social Problem                   Mental Illness as a Social Problem        Looking at the Problem Theoretically                      Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                            Conflict Theory Research Findings                 An Overview of Physical Health Problems                     How Disease is Related to Behavior and Environment: The Case of HIV/AIDS             Social Inequalities in Physical Illness                              Social Inequalities in Mental Illness        Social Policy               Being Paid to Stay Healthy                    Prepaid Medical Care: The Example of Managed Care             Physician Assistants                  Training Physicians                    Domiciliary Care                       Preventive Medicine                 Humanizing Health Care                        Self-Care Groups         The Future of the Problem                            Technology                   Redirecting Medicine                            The Potential    SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 11: The Changing Family  The Problem in Sociological Perspective                  Effects of the Industrial Revolution on the Family           The Scope of the Problem                 Divorce                        One-Parent Families                             Other Problems            Looking at the Problem Theoretically: Why is Divorce Common?                Symbolic Interactionism                        Functionalism                            Conflict and Feminist Theory                 Research Findings                             Cohabitation and the Marrying at a Later Age               Child-Free Couples                  The Mythical Child                   Family Violence                        Sexual Abuse in the Family                   Old Age and Widowhood                     The Death of the Family?          Social Policy               The Future of the Problem         SUMMARY AND REVIEW              Chapter 12: Urbanization and Population Issues     Urbanization Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically             Symbolic Interactionism             Functionalism             Conflict Theory Research Findings             Alienation in the City             Community in the City             The Decline of the Central City             Youth Gangs             Schools             Riots             The City in Change             The Megalopolis Social Policy             Specific Programs             Educating the Poor The Future of the Problem Population in Sociological Perspective The Scope of the Problem Looking at the Problem Theoretically             Symbolic Interactionism             Functionalism             Conflict Theory Research Findings             The New Malthusians             The Anti-Malthusians             Has the Population Explosion Peaked?             Problems in Forecasting Population Growth             Does the United States Have a Population Problem? Social Policy             Exporting Western Agriculture             Policy Implications of the Anti-Malthusians             Policy Implications of the New Malthusians             Restructuring Global Markets             Illegal Immigration The Future of the Problem             The New Malthusian Viewpoint             The Anti-Malthusian Viewpoint             The Long-Term Anti-Malthusian Viewpoint SUMMARY AND REVIEW   Chapter 13: The Environmental Crisis The Problem in Sociological Perspective             Environmental Destruction in the Past: The Myth of the Noble Savage             The Tragedy of the Commons The Scope of the Problem             “Everything is Connected to Everything Else” Looking at the Problem Theoretically             Symbolic Interactionism             Functionalism             Conflict Theory Research Findings             Air Pollution             Land Pollution             Water Pollution             Chemical Pollution             Nuclear Pollution             Food Pollution             Pollution in the Industrializing Nations             Getting the Other Side             Of Special Concern: The Tropical Rain Forests             Energy and Resources             Reconciling the Positions Social Policy             Oppositional Viewpoints and Overarching Solutions             Pollution             Energy             Moral Issues in a Global Age The Future of the Problem             Energy             Pollution SUMMARY AND REVIEW   Chapter 14: War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power The Problem in Sociological Perspective             Why is War Common?             Why Do Some Groups Choose War? The Scope of the Problem             War in the History of the West             Measuring War in Terms of Deaths Looking at the Problem Theoretically             Symbolic Interactionism             Functionalism             Conflict Theory             The Military Machine Today Research Findings             What Reduces War?             The Costs of War             The Military-Industrial Complex             The Possibility of Accidental War             Biological and Chemical Warfare             Terrorism Social Policy             Political Terrorism             Nuclear Warfare and the Elusive Path to Peace 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.”     Lori Ann Fowler is a tenured, Full Professor of Sociology at Tarrant County College. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Texas in 2008, and an MA and BA in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton. In addition to TCC, Dr. Fowler has taught at Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington. Lori began teaching Sociology courses in the fall of 1995. She has published numerous academic works, and has served more than 500 volunteer service hours among numerous non-profit organizations: the Alliance for Children, the Samaritan House, the Union Gospel Mission, Open Arms, the Battered Women’s Shelter, the Northeast Emergency Distribution Center, Women for Women, Christmas Providers, and the American Red Cross.   Lori has been very active in administration and leadership development as a member of the Consortium Leadership and Renewal Academy, the Service Learning Inter-Institute Collaborative, the Leadership Institute and the Speakers Bureau. She is a member of the American Sociological Association, the Pacific Sociological Association, the Alliance Education and Consulting Institute, TCCTA, Phi Theta Kappa, and North Texas Exes.  Her research areas include cosmetic surgery and homelessness. She has been nominated a Piper Professor three times, received the NISOD Excellence Award, received Outstanding Teacher of the Year, won Best Lecturer, and has been nominated Who’s Who among America’s Teachers eight years in a row.