Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Social Problems-Personal Troubles or Public Issues? Chapter 1: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems Using Our Sociological Imagination What Is a Social Problem? Understanding the Sociological Perspective The Science of Sociology The Transformation From Problem to Solution Making Sociological Connections Sociology at Work: Doing Sociology Part II. The Bases of Inequality Chapter 2: Social Class and Poverty What Does It Mean to Be Poor? Sociological Perspectives on Social Class and Poverty The Consequences of Poverty Responding to Class Inequalities Sociology at Work: Critical Thinking Chapter 3: Race and Ethnicity Defining Race and Ethnicity Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Integration Sociological Perspectives on Inequalities Based on Race and Ethnicity The Consequences of Racial and Ethnic Inequalities Responding to Racial and Ethnic Inequalities Sociology at Work: Sociology as a Science - Values vs. Facts Chapter 4: Gender Sociological Perspectives on Gender Inequality The Consequences of Gender Inequality Responding to Gender Inequalities Sociology at Work: Sociology as a Science - Theory and Data Chapter 5: Sexual Orientation Sociological Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Inequality Sexual Orientation and Inequality Responding to Sexual Orientation Inequalities Sociology at Work: Internships and Service Learning Chapter 6: Age and Aging Our Aging World Sociological Perspectives on Age, Aging, and Inequality The Consequences of Age Inequality Responding to Age Inequalities Sociology At Work: Social Work Part III. OUR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS Chapter 7: Families Myths of the Family Sociological Perspectives on the Family Problems in the Family Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology At Work: Paralegals and Legal Assistants Chapter 8: Education The New Educational Standard Exploring Social Problems: Educational Attainment in the U.S. Sociological Perspectives on Education Problems and Challenges in American Education Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Afterschool Education Chapter 9: Work and the Economy The Changing Nature of Work Sociological Perspectives on Work Problems in Work and the Economy Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Law Chapter 10: Health and Medicine Sociological Perspectives on Health, Illness, and Medicine Health Inequalities and Problems Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Medicine Chapter 11: The Media Sociological Perspectives on the Media The Media and Social Problems Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Software Development Part IV. Our Social and Physical Worlds Chapter 12: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Sociological Perspectives on Drug Abuse What Is Drug Abuse? The Problems of Drug Abuse Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Public Health Chapter 13: Crime and Criminal Justice Sociological Perspectives on Crime Sources of Crime Statistics Types of Crime The Inequalities of Crime-Offenders and Victims Our Current Response to Crime Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Probation and Parole Officers Chapter 14: Urbanization Urban Sociology and Demography The Processes of Urbanization and Suburbanization Population Growth and Composition Sociological Perspectives on Urbanization The Consequences of Urbanization Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Nonprofit Work Chapter 15: The Environment Environmental Problems Are Human Problems Sociological Perspectives on Environmental Problems Social Problems and the Environment Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Research Chapter 16: War and Terrorism Defining Conflict Sociological Perspectives on War and Terrorism The Problems of War and Terrorism Community, Policy, and Social Action Sociology at Work: Working and Volunteering Abroad Part V. Individual Action and Social Change Chapter 17: Social Problems and Social Action Social Problems and Their Solutions Understanding Social Movements In Focus: Student Activism How Do Social Movements Begin? How Have Reform Movements Made a Difference? Making the Last Connection Glossary References Photo Credits Index

Latest edition of this popular student exploration of social problems, and the parts that both sociology and communities can play in dealing with them.