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Social Problems
Selections From CQ Researcher
September 2009 | 416 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Social Problems is a contemporary collection of articles covering core issues within the broad topic of social problems. The book is intended to supplement core courses in the Sociology curriculum titled Social Problems, Introductory Sociology, Principles of Sociology, among other similarly titled courses.
The book has a 4-part structure of topics generally covered in social problems courses and texts: The Bases of Inequality, Our Social Institutions, Our Social and Physical Worlds, and Individual Action and Social Change. In total, there are 16 articles.
Annotated Contents
Preface
Contributors
THE BASES OF INEQUALITY
Social Class and Poverty
Marcia Clemmitt
1. Global Food Crisis: What's Causing the Rising Prices?
Race and Ethnicity
Peter Katel
2. Affirmative Action: Is It Time to End Racial Preferences?
Gender
Thomas J. Billitteri
3. Gender Pay Gap: Are Women Paid Fairly in the Workplace?
Sexual Orientation
Kenneth Jost
4. Gay Marriage Showdowns: Will Voters Bar Marriage for Same-Sex Couples?
Age and Aging
Alan Greenblatt
5. Aging Baby Boomers: Will the 'Youth Generation' Redefine Old Age?
OUR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Families
David Masci
6. Future of Marriage: Is Traditional Matrimony Going Out of Style?
Education
Marcia Clemmitt
7. Student Aid: Will Many Low-Income Students Be Left Out?
Work and the Economy
Marcia Clemmitt
8. Public-Works Projects: Do They Stimulate the Economy More Than Tax Cuts?
Health and Medicine
Marcia Clemmitt
9. Universal Coverage: Will All Americans Finally Get Health Insurance?
The Media
Alan Greenblatt
10. Television's Future: Will TV Remain the Dominant Mass Medium?
OUR SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL WORLDS
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Barbara Mantel
11. Drinking on Campus: Have Efforts to Reduce Alcohol Abuse Failed?
Crime and Criminal Justice
Peter Katel
12. Juvenile Justice: Are Sentencing Policies Too Harsh?
Cities and Suburbs
Peter Katel
13. Rebuilding New Orleans: Should Flood-Prone Areas Be Redeveloped?
The Environment
Jennifer Weeks
14. Regulating Toxic Chemicals: Do We Know Enough About Chemical Risks?
War and Terrorism
Peter Katel
15. Cost of the Iraq War: Are Economic Woes a Casualty of Unexpectedly High Costs?
INDIVIDUAL ACTION AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Social Problems and Social Action
Kenneth Jost and the CQ Researcher Staff
16. The Obama Presidency: Can Barack Obama Deliver the Change He Promises?