Includes bibliographical references (p. 543-555) and index.

Sociological perspectives on social problems -- Problems of health and health care -- Problems of mental illness and treatment -- Alcohol and other drugs -- Crime and violence -- Poverty amid affluence -- Racism, prejudice, and discrimination -- Gender and sexuality -- An aging society -- The changing family -- Problems of education -- Problems of work and the economy -- Urban problems -- Population and immigration -- Technology and the environment -- War and global insecurity.

For one-quarter or one semester Social Problems courses taught in the Sociology Department. Written by a respected scholar in the field, this authoritative and very accessible text offers students a contemporary introduction to Social Problems by introducing the major trends and future outlook for each social problem. Social policies devised to address social problems--and their consequences--are examined indepth by presenting the key research conducted to examine, explain and alleviate today's social problems. Takes the discussion of social problems one step further by looing at each problem from a global perspective and big picture view. For every major social problem there are groups of people dedicated to seeking a solution. Some of them are experts on particular social problems, others are nonprofessionals, often citizens who have decided to devote themselves to doing something about a particular situation or problem. Among these activists are people who have experienced the condition they seek to improve. Such groups may include elected officials and other political leaders who are expected to formulate sound social policies to address social problems.This book is written in an effort to make their work more effective and in the hope that some readers will be moved to take up their causes. The authors dedicate it to the citizens of the world who devote some of their precious time on earth to helping others.