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?