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Understanding Social Problems
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.
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First published August 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 5, 2015
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.
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.
February 12, 2013
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
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November 25, 2025not 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.
April 15, 2020
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.
March 10, 2022
Good overview; obviously needs updating.
December 18, 2025
Was very shocked to see how social problems are documented and how much they affect the sole individual and the home unit together.
October 26, 2009
Textbook, No Comment.
March 5, 2013
This book is complex but understandable when you start having lectures on it from your teacher.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews