Social Problems
Sociology in Action
Third Edition
Maxine P. Atkinson
- North Carolina State University, USA
Kathleen Odell Korgen
- William Paterson University
If you’re in North America, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:
Go to College Publishing WebsiteDescription
Social Problems: Sociology in Action, Third Edition is ideal for teachers who want to provide students with an active learning experience that relies less on lecturing and more on discussion, collaboration, and self-directed investigation. Editors Maxine P. Atkinson and Kathleen Odell Korgen offer concrete ways to make use of sociological training in the "real" world by considering sociological solutions to a range of social problems and issues facing society today.
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Contents
Learning Activities
Learning Activities
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
About the Authors
About the Contributors
About the Contributors
Part I: Inequalities As Social Problems
- Chapter 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems
- What Is a Social Problem?
- Sociology And the Study of Social Problems
- Why Are Some, But Not Other, Social Conditions Considered Social Problems?
- How Can Professional Sociologists—And You—Help Solve Social Problems?
- How To Conduct Social Scientific Research
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities
- Economic Inequality and Social Problems
- Explaining Economic Inequality
- Wealth and Income Gaps: How Much Inequality Exists?
- The Question of Mobility
- Social Problems That Cause Economic Inequality
- Social Problems Caused by Economic Inequality
- Solving The Social Problem of Economic Inequality: Policies, Movements, And Action
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Question
- Key Terms
- Chapter 3: Recognizing Racism and Racial Inequalities
- What Is Race?
- What Is Racism?
- Why Does Racial Inequality Exist?
- Why Do Racial Inequality and Racism Persist?
- What Social Problems Relate to Racism and Racial Inequalities?
- How Can We Challenge and Address Racism and Racial Inequality?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 4: Examining Gender Inequalities
- How Does the Social Constructionist Perspective Help Us Understand Gender Inequality?
- The Roots of Contemporary Gender Inequality: Identifying Patriarchal Culture
- Contemporary Gender Inequality in the Workplace
- Men’s Violence Against Women
- How Do Today’s Gender Expectations Impact Boys and Men?
- Other Gendered Social Problems
- Gender-Based Movements and Social Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 5: Focusing on Sex and Sexualities
- Sex and Sexualities
- Social Responses to Sex and Sexualities
- Enforcing Sexual Norms at The Micro Level
- Why Attitudes Toward Sex and Sexualities Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Part II: Global Population Problems
- Chapter 6: Preparing for Aging Societies
- What Is Population Aging?
- What Social Problems Accompany Aging Societies?
- What Are Governments Doing to Prepare for Aging Populations?
- What Can Local Communities Do to Improve Conditions of Aging?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 7: Making Sense of Migration and Immigration
- What Is Migration?
- The Social Construction of Immigrants as a Problem
- Social Problems Causing Migration
- Social Problems Affecting Immigrants
- Social Problems Caused by Immigration
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 8: Researching Environmental Problems
- The Link Between Environmental and Social Problems
- The Environmental Costs of Powering Our Lives
- Recognizing And Curbing Climate Change
- Food And Agriculture
- Confronting Environmental Injustice
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 9: Contesting Crime
- The Social Construction of Crime
- Mistakes In Claim Construction
- Class, Race, Gender, and Critical Criminology
- Social Problems That Cause Crime
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 10: Understanding War and Terrorism
- Understanding War as a Social Problem
- Seeing War as a Social Problem
- War’s Impact on Society
- Understanding Terrorism as a Social Problem
- Consequences of Terrorism
- Confronting War and Terrorism
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Part III: Institutional Problems
- Chapter 11: Identifying Problems in the Criminal Justice System
- The U.S. Criminal Justice System
- Policing
- Courts and Corrections
- Criminal Records
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 12: Discovering Problems in the Family
- What Is A Family?
- Social Construction Of Families As Problems
- Family Problems As Social Problems
- Social Problems Affecting Families
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 13: Pursuing Equity in Education
- Education and Schooling
- The Purpose of Education
- Social Problems in Education and Schools
- Reforms That Can Improve Education Systems
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 14: Prioritizing Health and Health Care Inequalities
- Understanding Health And Health-Related Social Problems
- How Social Problems Affect Health
- Social Problems And Inequalities In The Health Care System
- Facing Health Challenges Collectively
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 15: Realizing the Power—and Vulnerability—of Institutions
- Why Does A Society Need Social Institutions?
- Why Do Institutions Fail?
- The Rise of Authoritarian Governments
- Declining Confidence In Institutions In The United States
- How Can Social Problems Weaken Institutions?
- How Can We Save Our Social Institutions?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Appendix: Addressing Social Problems Through Service-Learning
Appendix: Addressing Social Problems Through Service-Learning
Glossary
Glossary
References
References
Index
Index
Additional materials
Description
Social Problems: Sociology in Action, Third Edition is ideal for teachers who want to provide students with an active learning experience that relies less on lecturing and more on discussion, collaboration, and self-directed investigation. Editors Maxine P. Atkinson and Kathleen Odell Korgen offer concrete ways to make use of sociological training in the "real" world by considering sociological solutions to a range of social problems and issues facing society today.
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Contents
Learning Activities
Learning Activities
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
About the Authors
About the Contributors
About the Contributors
Part I: Inequalities As Social Problems
- Chapter 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems
- What Is a Social Problem?
- Sociology And the Study of Social Problems
- Why Are Some, But Not Other, Social Conditions Considered Social Problems?
- How Can Professional Sociologists—And You—Help Solve Social Problems?
- How To Conduct Social Scientific Research
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities
- Economic Inequality and Social Problems
- Explaining Economic Inequality
- Wealth and Income Gaps: How Much Inequality Exists?
- The Question of Mobility
- Social Problems That Cause Economic Inequality
- Social Problems Caused by Economic Inequality
- Solving The Social Problem of Economic Inequality: Policies, Movements, And Action
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Question
- Key Terms
- Chapter 3: Recognizing Racism and Racial Inequalities
- What Is Race?
- What Is Racism?
- Why Does Racial Inequality Exist?
- Why Do Racial Inequality and Racism Persist?
- What Social Problems Relate to Racism and Racial Inequalities?
- How Can We Challenge and Address Racism and Racial Inequality?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 4: Examining Gender Inequalities
- How Does the Social Constructionist Perspective Help Us Understand Gender Inequality?
- The Roots of Contemporary Gender Inequality: Identifying Patriarchal Culture
- Contemporary Gender Inequality in the Workplace
- Men’s Violence Against Women
- How Do Today’s Gender Expectations Impact Boys and Men?
- Other Gendered Social Problems
- Gender-Based Movements and Social Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 5: Focusing on Sex and Sexualities
- Sex and Sexualities
- Social Responses to Sex and Sexualities
- Enforcing Sexual Norms at The Micro Level
- Why Attitudes Toward Sex and Sexualities Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Part II: Global Population Problems
- Chapter 6: Preparing for Aging Societies
- What Is Population Aging?
- What Social Problems Accompany Aging Societies?
- What Are Governments Doing to Prepare for Aging Populations?
- What Can Local Communities Do to Improve Conditions of Aging?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 7: Making Sense of Migration and Immigration
- What Is Migration?
- The Social Construction of Immigrants as a Problem
- Social Problems Causing Migration
- Social Problems Affecting Immigrants
- Social Problems Caused by Immigration
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 8: Researching Environmental Problems
- The Link Between Environmental and Social Problems
- The Environmental Costs of Powering Our Lives
- Recognizing And Curbing Climate Change
- Food And Agriculture
- Confronting Environmental Injustice
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 9: Contesting Crime
- The Social Construction of Crime
- Mistakes In Claim Construction
- Class, Race, Gender, and Critical Criminology
- Social Problems That Cause Crime
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 10: Understanding War and Terrorism
- Understanding War as a Social Problem
- Seeing War as a Social Problem
- War’s Impact on Society
- Understanding Terrorism as a Social Problem
- Consequences of Terrorism
- Confronting War and Terrorism
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Part III: Institutional Problems
- Chapter 11: Identifying Problems in the Criminal Justice System
- The U.S. Criminal Justice System
- Policing
- Courts and Corrections
- Criminal Records
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 12: Discovering Problems in the Family
- What Is A Family?
- Social Construction Of Families As Problems
- Family Problems As Social Problems
- Social Problems Affecting Families
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 13: Pursuing Equity in Education
- Education and Schooling
- The Purpose of Education
- Social Problems in Education and Schools
- Reforms That Can Improve Education Systems
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 14: Prioritizing Health and Health Care Inequalities
- Understanding Health And Health-Related Social Problems
- How Social Problems Affect Health
- Social Problems And Inequalities In The Health Care System
- Facing Health Challenges Collectively
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 15: Realizing the Power—and Vulnerability—of Institutions
- Why Does A Society Need Social Institutions?
- Why Do Institutions Fail?
- The Rise of Authoritarian Governments
- Declining Confidence In Institutions In The United States
- How Can Social Problems Weaken Institutions?
- How Can We Save Our Social Institutions?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
Appendix: Addressing Social Problems Through Service-Learning
Appendix: Addressing Social Problems Through Service-Learning
Glossary
Glossary
References
References
Index
Index
Additional materials
November 2025 | 440 pages | Sage US
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|
Social Problems: Sociology in Action, Third Edition is ideal for teachers who want to provide students with an active learning experience that relies less on lecturing and more on discussion, collaboration, and self-directed investigation. Editors Maxine P. Atkinson and Kathleen Odell Korgen offer concrete ways to make use of sociological training in the "real" world by considering sociological solutions to a range of social problems and issues facing society today.
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Social Problems is one of the volumes in our "Sociology in Action" (SIA) series of undergraduate sociology texts. The two signature features of this series are (1) a set of carefully developed and assignable learning activities in each chapter; and (2) chapters contributed by authors who are both experts in their subjects and committed to the kind of active learning promoted by the SIA texts.
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Take a brief self-guided tour with our interactive demo
Table Of Contents:
- Learning Activities
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- About the Contributors
- Part I: Inequalities As Social Problems
- Chapter 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems
- What Is a Social Problem?
- Sociology And the Study of Social Problems
- Why Are Some, But Not Other, Social Conditions Considered Social Problems?
- How Can Professional Sociologists—And You—Help Solve Social Problems?
- How To Conduct Social Scientific Research
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities
- Economic Inequality and Social Problems
- Explaining Economic Inequality
- Wealth and Income Gaps: How Much Inequality Exists?
- The Question of Mobility
- Social Problems That Cause Economic Inequality
- Social Problems Caused by Economic Inequality
- Solving The Social Problem of Economic Inequality: Policies, Movements, And Action
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Question
- Key Terms
- Chapter 3: Recognizing Racism and Racial Inequalities
- What Is Race?
- What Is Racism?
- Why Does Racial Inequality Exist?
- Why Do Racial Inequality and Racism Persist?
- What Social Problems Relate to Racism and Racial Inequalities?
- How Can We Challenge and Address Racism and Racial Inequality?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Discussion Questions
- Key Terms
- Chapter 4: Examining Gender Inequalities
- How Does the Social Constructionist Perspective Help Us Understand Gender Inequality?
- The Roots of Contemporary Gender Inequality: Identifying Patriarchal Culture
- Contemporary Gender Inequality in the Workplace
- Men’s Violence Against Women
- How Do Today’s Gender Expectations Impact Boys and Men?
- Other Gendered Social Problems
- Gender-Based Movements and Social Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 5: Focusing on Sex and Sexualities
- Sex and Sexualities
- Social Responses to Sex and Sexualities
- Enforcing Sexual Norms at The Micro Level
- Why Attitudes Toward Sex and Sexualities Change
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Part II: Global Population Problems
- Chapter 6: Preparing for Aging Societies
- What Is Population Aging?
- What Social Problems Accompany Aging Societies?
- What Are Governments Doing to Prepare for Aging Populations?
- What Can Local Communities Do to Improve Conditions of Aging?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 7: Making Sense of Migration and Immigration
- What Is Migration?
- The Social Construction of Immigrants as a Problem
- Social Problems Causing Migration
- Social Problems Affecting Immigrants
- Social Problems Caused by Immigration
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 8: Researching Environmental Problems
- The Link Between Environmental and Social Problems
- The Environmental Costs of Powering Our Lives
- Recognizing And Curbing Climate Change
- Food And Agriculture
- Confronting Environmental Injustice
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 9: Contesting Crime
- The Social Construction of Crime
- Mistakes In Claim Construction
- Class, Race, Gender, and Critical Criminology
- Social Problems That Cause Crime
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 10: Understanding War and Terrorism
- Understanding War as a Social Problem
- Seeing War as a Social Problem
- War’s Impact on Society
- Understanding Terrorism as a Social Problem
- Consequences of Terrorism
- Confronting War and Terrorism
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Part III: Institutional Problems
- Chapter 11: Identifying Problems in the Criminal Justice System
- The U.S. Criminal Justice System
- Policing
- Courts and Corrections
- Criminal Records
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 12: Discovering Problems in the Family
- What Is A Family?
- Social Construction Of Families As Problems
- Family Problems As Social Problems
- Social Problems Affecting Families
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 13: Pursuing Equity in Education
- Education and Schooling
- The Purpose of Education
- Social Problems in Education and Schools
- Reforms That Can Improve Education Systems
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 14: Prioritizing Health and Health Care Inequalities
- Understanding Health And Health-Related Social Problems
- How Social Problems Affect Health
- Social Problems And Inequalities In The Health Care System
- Facing Health Challenges Collectively
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Chapter 15: Realizing the Power—and Vulnerability—of Institutions
- Why Does A Society Need Social Institutions?
- Why Do Institutions Fail?
- The Rise of Authoritarian Governments
- Declining Confidence In Institutions In The United States
- How Can Social Problems Weaken Institutions?
- How Can We Save Our Social Institutions?
- Conclusion
- Review
- Key Terms
- Appendix: Addressing Social Problems Through Service-Learning
- Glossary
- References
- Index