Understanding Social Problems

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

This new edition provides a comprehensive, theoretically balanced, humanistic and student-centered approach to studying social problems. Its widely praised features and pedagogy actively engage readers like no other textbook on the market. In a sea of dull, expensive hardcover texts, UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS is a lively, affordable, attractive paperback introduction to the study of social problems.

Genres: Textbooks, Social Science, Nonfiction, Sociology

Unbound

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.