Seeing Social Problems

Seeing Social Problems: The Hidden Stories Behind Contemporary Issues shows students how to think about social problems in a new way, by carefully analyzing headline-making issues they are already familiar with and illustrating the connection between individual problems and larger social forces. Each chapter engages students in thinking about the world sociologically by focusing on a specific case study that represents a more general social problem. The chapters always start with the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and personal experiences that students bring to the case—what author Ira Silver refers to as the conventional wisdom—and effectively demonstrate to them the "first wisdom" of sociology: "things are not what they seem." In each instance, Silver shows how sociologists ask questions, gather empirical data, use multiple perspectives, and consider larger social forces to discover the "hidden stories" behind individual behavior. Included with this title: The password-protected Instructor Resource Site (formally known as SAGE Edge) offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.

Seeing Social Problems: The Hidden Stories Behind Contemporary Issues shows students how to think about social problems in a new way, by carefully analyzing headline-making issues they are already familiar with and illustrating the connection between individual problems and larger social forces. Each chapter engages students in thinking about the world sociologically by focusing on a specific case study that represents a more general social problem. The chapters always start with the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and personal experiences that students bring to the case—what author Ira Silver refers to as the conventional wisdom—and effectively demonstrate to them the “first wisdom” of sociology: “things are not what they seem.” In each instance, Silver shows how sociologists ask questions, gather empirical data, use multiple perspectives, and consider larger social forces to discover the “hidden stories” behind individual behavior.

Seeing Social Problems: Readings on Contemporary Issues in the United States provides students with engaging, thought-provoking articles that examine a wide array of current social issues, the types of behaviors that perpetuate such problems, and how these issues affect the daily lives of Americans. Students are invited to critically consider how key issues have evolved and changed over time and to devise new ways for society to improve, both as people and as a nation. The reader is divided into eight sections. Opening sections address socioeconomic inequality and poverty; racial and ethnic inequality; gender inequality and homophobia; and crime. Later sections explore social problems related to medicine and health, families, education, and the environment. The revised first edition features up-to-date information on several important issues, including race, gender, crime, health care, drug abuse, and pollution. Recent developments related to the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements, Obamacare, and environmental justice are addressed. A new reading concerning the American opioid crisis has also been added. Developed to inspire critical thought and a greater understanding of contemporary issues, Seeing Social Problems is an ideal resource for courses in sociology. Brandon Lang earned his Ph.D. in sociology at North Carolina State University. He is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice at Bloomsbury University. Dr. Lang's areas of interest include the sociology of sports, and community, public, and environmental sociology. His writing has appeared in numerous journals including Culture and Agriculture, Technology in Society, and Journal of Environmental Education. Dr. Lang is a member of the International Sociology of Sport Association and the Eastern Sociological Society. Molly Monahan Lang earned her Ph.D. in sociology at North Carolina State University. She is an assistant teaching professor of sociology at Penn State Behrend. Dr. Monahan Lang's research interests include the intersections of race, social class, and gender within social institutions with particular emphasis on marriages and death/dying.

Empower your students to become part of the solution. With a clear and upbeat voice, author Anna Leon-Guerrero’s thought-provoking overview of social problems challenges readers to understand and recognize social problems in their communities and inspires them to become part of the solution. The Fifth Edition of Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action goes beyond the typical presentation of contemporary social problems and their consequences by emphasizing the importance and effectiveness of community involvement to achieve real solutions. With an overarching focus on social inequalities and policy, this proven text provides a platform for discussion that encourages critical thinking and inspires hope. “The extra emphasis on social action and movements is a real strength…I like that the three major perspectives are used in each chapter as I feel many texts just put that in the first chapter and then forget about it.” —Todd Michael Callais, University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash

The reader Seeing Social Problems: Readings on Contemporary Issues in the United States examines a wide array of social problems that currently exist in the United States and that impact every member of society. Designed to present the kind of information found in a standard textbook, but in an accessible, relatable, high-interest way, the text links the readings to real-world issues of the day. The carefully curated reading selections are organized into eight sections, each of which includes several articles. Topics include socioeconomic inequality and poverty, racial and ethnic inequality, gender inequality and homophobia, and crime. Students also explore social problems as they are manifested in medicine and health, families, and education, as well as environmental social problems. Each section begins with an introduction that features basic information and instructional content related to the topic. The chapter readings then provide a variety of perspectives. Developed to be specific and manageable in scope, while also increasing students' understanding of foundational concepts, Seeing Social Problems is well-suited to survey courses in sociology that focus on society's challenges. Brandon Lang is an associate professor of sociology at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from North Carolina State University, Raleigh and his current research examines public perceptions of Native American team names and issues relating to counterfeit sports jerseys. In addition to the sociology of sports, Dr. Lang is interested in the sociology of community, the environment, and music. His writing has appeared in numerous journals including Culture and Agriculture, Technology in Society, and the Journal of Environmental Education. Dr. Lang is a member of the International Sociology of Sport Association and the Southwestern Sociological Association. Molly Monahan Lang, who teaches at both Mercyhurst University and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, earned her Ph.D. in sociology at North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Dr. Lang regularly teaches courses in introductory sociology and sociology of the family. Her research interests include gender and families as well as issues concerning death and dying in society.

This text explains how society frames social problems and solutions through politics. It analyzes social issues and policies, using the concepts of sociological theory and the everyday language of politics.

A. Javier Treviño, working with a panel of experts, thoroughly examines all aspects of social problems, providing a contemporary and authoritative introduction to the field. Each chapter is written by a specialist on that particular topic and the unique, contributed format ensures that the research and examples provided are the most current and relevant available. The text is framed around three major themes: intersectionality (the interplay of race, ethnicity, class, and gender), the global scope of many problems, and how researchers take an evidence-based approach to studying problems.

Social problems such as unemployment, poverty and drug addiction are a fact of life in industrialised societies. This book examines the sociology of social problems from interesting and challenging perspectives. It analyses how social problems emerge and are defined as such, who takes responsibility for them, who is threatened by them and how they are managed, solved or ignored. The authors examine and critique existing theories of social problems before developing their own theoretical framework. Their 'theory of residualist conversion of social problems' explains how certain social problems threaten legitimate power structures, so that problems of a social or political nature are transformed into personal problems, and the 'helping professions' are left to intervene. This book will become a key reference on class, inequality and social intervention and an important text for students in sociology and social work courses.