Understanding Social Problems, 9th Edition

by Linda A. Mooney, David Knox Jr., Caroline Schacht

Mooney, Knox, and Schacht's UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS uses a theoretically balanced, reader-friendly approach to provide a comprehensive exploration of social problems. The book progresses from a micro to macro level of analysis, focusing first on such problems as illness and health care, drugs and alcohol, and family problems, and then broadening to the larger issues of poverty and inequality, population growth, aging, environmental problems, and conflict around the world. The social problem in each chapter is framed in a global as well as U.S. context. In every chapter, the three major theoretical perspectives are applied to the social problem under discussion, and the consequences of the problem, as well as alternative solutions, are explored. Pedagogical features such as "Animals and Society," "The Human Side," and "Self and Society" enable you to grasp how social problems affect the lives of individuals and apply your understanding of social problems to your own life.

Genres: Textbooks, Social Science, Nonfiction, Sociology

608 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

just finished this book for my social problems class.

As a.. non-sociologist, I have this to say:

What's notable here is how disconnected the writers are from real people, and real life. I'm frightened that they are training people for careers in this field. Wish I had a 'no star' option.

What's also notable here is the amount of politics that sneak into this book. Comments are made- on purpose or in passing- on factory farming, the importance of internet regulation, and many other issues that are only defined as 'social problems' if the term is very, very loose. Although not a republican myself, I began to feel sorry for any in my class.

I will include the following quote, found near the beginning of the book. Maybe it doesn't disturb you, but I found it very frightening:

"...Rampant individualism does not bring with it sweet freedom; rather, it explodes in our faces and limits life's potential."

Granted, this is a quote the book includes from another source. Granted, we need to watch our for our fellow man, try not to pollute, and generally consider ourselves part of a community. But I hate the deeper message in this (rather long) paragraph: that individual thought is the wrong choice, and freedom is a bad thing. I, for one, want to see MORE out of the box thinking out there.. not less.

I won't comment on the class- that's another discussion for somewhere else- but this book killed what little faith I had left in experts, and failed to dazzle me with insight on any level. Hopefully sociologists have more to offer than this book suggests.

[Patty Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad they've updated it to include sections on homosexuality, gender identity, and rights. There's also a large new section on war, conflict, and terrorism. It's a great book for anyone interested in society and current events

[holden]

not a great textbook. some really outrageously naive and even occasionally dangerous/stupid content, especially re: LGBTQ people. encouraging students to question whether trans women and men deserve the same rights as cis women and men with a deceptively innocent "What do YOU think?" exercise? really? please.

[Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a textbook I had to use for my Problems of Modern Society class. But a textbook is still a book. I thought the topics it discusses were interesting, even if I didn’t agree with everything it said.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview; obviously needs updating.

[Amanda Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was very shocked to see how social problems are documented and how much they affect the sole individual and the home unit together.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Textbook, No Comment.

[Kate Cardenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is complex but understandable when you start having lectures on it from your teacher.