Synopses & Reviews
Social Problems and the Quality of Life focuses on the ways in which social problems affect the quality of life. It begins by defining social problems and discussing the tools needed to understand and respond to problems. It then moves on to an examination of specific problems in terms of: the nature and extent of the problem; how the problem affects people's quality of life; the structural and social psychological factors that cause and tend to perpetuate the problem; and what can be done to resolve the problem. Along with the discussion, a number of learning aids makes this text personal, practical, and an interactive learning experience.
Synopsis
Focusing on quality of life, this text defines what a social problem is and then addresses specific issuesfor example, how can one gain a sociological understanding of social problems? What kinds of critical thinking should one engage in and what kinds should one avoid in attempting to understand social problems? How is the quality of one's life affected by particular problems? What causes these problems and how can we resolve them? Part One establishes key approaches to social problems; the remaining parts discuss the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives.
About the Author
Robert Lauer received his B.S. and Ph.D. from Washington University, his B.D. from Southern Seminary, and his M.A. from Southern Illinois University. Representatives may reach him at
[email protected] C. Lauer is a Research Professor at Alliant International University. She received her Ph.D. in Social History from Washington University, St. Louis. She has published numerous journal articles and co-authored fifteen books. Most recently she co-authored Becoming Family: Building a Stepfamily that Really Works. She is a member of the National Council on Family Relations, and the Stepfamily Association of America.
Table of Contents
List of Figures List of Tables Preface Part 1: Foundations 1 Understanding Social Problems Part 2: Problems of Behavioral Deviance 2 Alcohol and Other Drugs 3 Crime and Delinquency 4 Violence 5 Sexual Deviance Part 3: Problems of Inequality 6 Poverty 7 Gender and Sexual Orientation 8 Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism Part 4: Problems of Social Institutions 9 Government and Politics 10 Work and the Economy 11 Education 12 Family Problems 13 Health Care and Illness: Physical and Mental Part 5: Global Social Problems 14 War and Terrorism 15 The Environment Glossary References Credits Name Index Subject Index