Social Problems and Social Movements

By James DeFronzo and Jungyun Gill

Social Problems aims to not only introduce students to the key social problems discussed in most courses, but also to show them that change is possible by introducing them to key social movements working to solve some of these social problems.

List of BoxesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsChapter 1 The Sociology of Social ProblemsWHAT IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM?The Social Context of Social ProblemsOpposing Explanations for Social ProblemsUSING THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION TO ADDRESS SOCIAL PROBLEMSSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL PROBLEMSStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveThe Benefit of a Combined PerspectiveSOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON SOCIAL PROBLEMSSurvey ResearchExperimentsField ResearchFocus GroupsSecondary Data AnalysisHistorical and Comparative ResearchChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 2 The Sociology of Social MovementsWHAT IS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT?Student Participation in Movements for Social ChangeWHY DO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS BEGIN?Absolute Deprivation and Relative Deprivation TheoriesResource Mobilization TheoryPolitical Opportunities TheoryLeadership TheoryFraming TheoryMulti-Factor TheorySTAGES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTSIncipiencyCoalescenceInstitutionalizationFragmentationDemiseRevivalSOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGEChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 3 The Sociology of Power: Economics, Wealth, and PoliticsGOVERNMENT TYPESECONOMIC AND CLASS SYSTEMSCapitalismSocialismThe Reality of Blended SystemsAre There Links between Types of Economies and Types of Political Systems?THE GROWTH OF THE SIZE AND POWER OF CORPORATIONSModern Concentrated Economic PowerCLASS AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN THE UNITED STATESTHE U.S. SOCIAL CLASS SYSTEMUpper ClassUpper-Middle ClassMiddle ClassWorking ClassLower ClassesECONOMIC INEQUALITYIncome InequalityIncome Inequality InternationallyWealth InequalitySOCIAL MOBILITYPOWER IN THE UNITED STATESThe Power EliteA Ruling Class?THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND POLITICAL POWERMoney and ElectionsWho Votes?STRUCTURAL FLAWS IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEMThe Impact of the 2010 Midterm ElectionsTHE ARMED FORCESECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWER AND MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGEChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 4 PovertyWHAT IS POVERTY?Definition and Measurement of Poverty in the United StatesA Profile of the PoorCONSEQUENCES OF POVERTYHealthFamily TroublesLimited EducationPoor Housing ConditionsHomelessnessCrimeBarriers to Political ParticipationPOWERLESSNESS OF THE WORKING POORCAUSES OF POVERTYIndividual CharacteristicsSocial StructureCultural FactorsSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON POVERTYStructural-Functional PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveConflict PerspectivePROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO POVERTYEncourage Personal RelianceMore Effective Government ProgramsChange Social StructureEXISTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSThe Great Depression and Social WelfareWelfare Reform of 1996Other Assistance ProgramsChildbirth-Related Leave Policies and Publicly Supported Child CareChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 5 Race, Ethnicity, and ImmigrationRACE, ETHNICITY, AND RACISMWhat are Race, Ethnicity, and Racism?Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the United StatesIMMIGRATIONThe American Nativist Movement Against Immigration in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth CenturiesThe Elimination of Immigration Quotas in the 1960sThe Continuing Debate over ImmigrationTYPES OF RACIAL/ETHNIC RELATIONSMutually Beneficial Trade and Cultural ExchangesGenocideSlaveryRemoval and SegregationColonialismAssimilationRacial and Ethnic Pluralism/Multicultural PluralismPREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATIONPrejudice and StereotypesDiscriminationWhite PrivilegeInstitutional DiscriminationCAUSES OF PREJUDICEPersonality TypeSituationCultureSocial StructureSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATIONStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectivePROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATIONThe Role of EducationEconomic ReformPolitical ReformChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 6 Gender and Sexual OrientationSEX, GENDER, AND SEXUAL ORIENTATIONSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION INEQUALITYStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveGENDER INEQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATIONCULTURAL SEXISM: SEXIST TRADITIONS, STEREOTYPES, VALUES, NORMS, AND SYMBOLSFamilySchoolsLanguageMediaReligionINSTITUTIONAL SEXISMEducationWork and IncomePolitics and GovernmentThe MilitaryPOPULATION ESTIMATES: LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PERSONSWHAT CAUSES SEXUAL ORIENTATION?CULTURAL BIAS AGAINST LGBTReligionFamily and PeersSchools and MediaINSTITUTIONAL (STRUCTURAL) BIAS AGAINST LGBTFamilyEducationWorkPolitics, Government, and the MilitaryChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 7 The FamilyWHAT IS A FAMILY?FAMILIES AND MARRIAGE AROUND THE WORLDFamily Authority TypesTypes of MarriageCHANGES IN THE U.S. FAMILYAge at First Marriage and Cohabitation DivorceChildren Born Outside of Marriage and Single-Parent-Headed HouseholdsRace/Ethnic and Class DifferencesSINGLE-PARENT FAMILIESMass Incarceration and the American Black FamilyGAY AND LESBIAN FAMILIESVIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN INTIMATE PARTNER RELATIONSHIPSIntimate Partner Abuse and ViolenceIncome and Racial/Ethnic DifferencesEffects of Intimate Partner ViolenceDecline in Intimate Partner Violence since 1994CHILD ABUSEDemographic Characteristics of VictimsPerpetrators and Risk FactorsEffects of Child AbuseIncrease and Decrease of Child Abuse ReportsELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECTIncidence and Correlates of Elder AbusePREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCEEconomicPoliticalCulturalIndividual CharacteristicsProviding Safety for Abuse VictimsTEEN PREGNANCIES AND PARENTHOODCauses of Teen PregnanciesConsequences of Teen PregnanciesPreventing Teen PregnanciesSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON FAMILY PROBLEMSStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 8 Education and MediaSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATIONStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveUNEQUAL EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT WORLDWIDEUNEQUAL EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATESThe Problem of American Students' Academic PerformanceClass, Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Impacts on Academic PerformanceThe Dropout ProblemFunctional IlliteracyThe School Segregation ProblemSchool Crime, Bullying, and Discipline ProblemsSoaring College Tuition and Student DebtAPPROACHES TO IMPROVING BASIC PUBLIC EDUCATIONCriticisms of the Public School SystemDistinctive Points of ViewThe No Child Left Behind ProgramProtests and Strikes by TeachersMEDIASOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MEDIAStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveMEDIA ISSUESNewsworthiness and News ObjectivityDigital DivideMedia and CrimeMEDIA AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTSChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 9 Health Care and Well-BeingHEALTH AND HEALTH PROBLEMS WORLDWIDEGLOBALIZATION AND HEALTHEffects of Global Travel and TradeA Major Global Infectious Threat: HIV/AIDSHEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED STATESInequities in HealthRising Costs of Health CareConsequences of the High Cost of Health CarePREVENTABLE ONGOING RISKS TO HEALTHSmokingObesityEnvironmental PoisoningMENTAL HEALTHCauses of Mental Illness and Links to Gender, Race, and ClassTreatments for Mental IllnessDeinstitutionalizationSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveGOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE PROGRAMSMedicaidChildren's Health Insurance ProgramMilitary Health CareMedicareSTATE AND FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORMState ReformsThe Affordable Health Care ActChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 10 Crime and Criminal JusticeWHAT IS CRIME?MEASURING THE EXTENT AND FORMS OF CRIMEOfficial Crime StatisticsVictimization SurveysSelf-Report StudiesSTREET CRIMEViolent Street CrimeStreet Property CrimeVICTIMLESS CRIMEORGANIZED CRIMEWHITE-COLLAR CRIMEOccupational CrimeCorporate CrimePunishment for White-Collar CrimeCYBERCRIMEPOLITICAL CRIMEAssassinationsBurglariesHacking Political Campaigns and ElectionsCHARACTERISTICS OF CRIMINALSAgeGenderSocial ClassRace and EthnicityEXPLAINING CRIME: BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, AND SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIORBiological FactorsPsychiatric FactorsSociological FactorsChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 11 Globalization, Technology, and Global InequalitiesGLOBALIZATIONTECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATIONTransporting PeopleTransporting Goods and ResourcesCommunication, Finance, News, EntertainmentGLOBALIZATION: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE VIEWSPositive Views of GlobalizationNegative Views of GlobalizationGLOBALIZATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND GLOBAL INEQUALITIESPovertyIncome and Wealth InequalitySOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBALIZATION AND GLOBAL INEQUALITIESStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveDEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF GLOBAL INEQUALITYChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 12 Population, Urbanization, and AgingPOPULATIONPopulation Growth Worldwide: Past, Present, and FutureRegional Differences in Population GrowthPopulation Growth in the United StatesThe Effect on Population of Immigration to the United StatesSocial Problems Related to Excessive Population Growth WorldwideURBANIZATIONUrbanization WorldwideUrbanization in the United StatesUrban Problems WorldwideUrban Problems in the United StatesAGINGAging WorldwideAging in the United StatesAging Problems WorldwideAging Problems in the United StatesRESPONSES TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO POPULATION, URBANIZATION, AND AGINGReduce Population Growth in High-Birth-Rate Countries by Improving Women's Education and Employment LevelsReduce Problems Related to Urbanization WorldwideReduce Problems Related to Urbanization in the United StatesWorldwide Responses to Aging ProblemsResponses to Aging Problems in the United StatesSOCIOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO POPULATION, URBANIZATION, AND AGINGStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 13 The EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMSGlobal WarmingImpacts of Increasing Global Energy UseAir PollutionLand PollutionHazardous WasteE-WasteRadioactive MaterialWars and the EnvironmentWater Availability and QualityDangers to BiodiversityENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICESOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE ENVIRONMENTStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveCAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMSPopulation GrowthTechnological Progress, Urbanization, and Economic DevelopmentMilitarism and International CompetitionMaterialist ConsumerismExcessive IndividualismRESPONDING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMSEnvironmental EducationEnvironmental ActivismGreen Energy and TechnologyCarbon Capture and StorageInternational Government PoliciesU.S. Government PoliciesChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 14 Drug Abuse and Human TraffickingWHAT IS A DRUG?Extent of Drug Use InternationallyDrug Use in the United StatesAlcoholTobacco and NicotineCannabis: Marijuana, HashishCocaineMethamphetamineHeroin and Other OpioidsPrescription DrugsHallucinogens: LSD, Peyote, and MDMASteroidsInhalantsPROBLEMS RELATED TO DRUG ABUSECrimeDrugs and the FamilyWHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS?SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON DRUG ABUSEStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveSOCIAL RESPONSES TO THE DRUG PROBLEMThe War on DrugsDestroying Foreign ProductionInterdictionProsecution and PunishmentEducationTreatmentAttacking Root Causes of Drug AbuseAn Alternative to the War on DrugsWHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?Dimensions of Human TraffickingCAUSES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKINGSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKINGStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveSOCIAL RESPONSES TO HUMAN TRAFFICKINGInternationalUnited States: Federal and StatesTHE MOVEMENT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKINGChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsChapter 15 War, Rebellion and TerrorismBASIC CONCEPTS: WAR, REBELLION, AND TERRORISMAmerica's WarsSOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON WAR AND REBELLIONStructural-Functional PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveSymbolic-Interactionist PerspectiveCAUSES OF WAR AND REBELLIONWAR, REBELLION, REVOLUTION, AND SOCIAL CHANGEThe U.S. Volunteer Armed ForcesPrivate Military Companies (PMCs)BlackwaterDeaths and Injuries of WarEconomic Devastation and Political ImpactsWar CrimesSTRATEGIES TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN PEACEDeterrenceImproved Defensive CapabilitiesDisarmament and Nuclear NonproliferationResolving Underlying Conflicts through Mediation and Oversight by the United Nations or other Unbiased PartiesFairer Distribution of ResourcesTERRORISMHow Many Terrorists Are There?Types of TerrorismTHE ROOT CAUSES OF TERRORISMInequality, Poverty, and Perception of Unfair TreatmentExtremist IdeologiesAsymmetry of PowerCOMBATING TERRORISMDefend against TerrorismDeny Terrorists SanctuaryMake No Deals with TerroristsKill or Capture TerroristsAddress the Causes of TerrorismChapter Review | Key Terms | Discussion QuestionsGlossaryReferencesIndex