Essential Readings in Social Problems

Book excerpt: Essential Readings in Social Problems provides students with a collection of engaging and thought-provoking articles that deepen their understanding of the topics and themes discussed within courses that address social issues. The anthology is organized into six distinct units. The opening unit introduces readers to the concept of the sociological imagination, which allows individuals to make connections between social structures and individual conditions to formulate social theories. In Unit 2, the readings examine the destructive nature of inequality, causes of poverty, issues related to gender inequality, and more. Unit 3 focuses on the concept of deviance and how it applies to sexuality and crime. Units 4 and 5 explore the relationship between race, ethnicity, white privilege, and social problems, and the intersection of human health and environmental problems. Dedicated readings address the social construction of race, biodiversity, and more. Unit 6, the final unit, offers readers a variety of proposed solutions for social problems with emphasis on social movements to combat economic inequality, increasing authoritarianism, and ecological crises. Designed to stimulate critical thought, Essential Readings in Social Problems is an ideal supplementary text for courses in sociology and any other course that explores social challenges.