Making Sense of Social Problems: New Images, New Issues

Published by Lynne Rienner Publishers 2013

Making Sense of Social Problems

New Images, New Issues

Edited by: Joel Best and Scott R. Harris

In the series Social Problems, Social Constructions

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781685850494

Overview
Contents

About this book

Internet addiction. Cell-phone-distracted drivers. Teen suicide. Economic recession. The health risks of trans fats. The carefully selected collection of case studies in Making Sense of Social Problems is designed to help students understand and critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary social issues. The cases are organized to highlight a series of key elements: why "objective" claims deserve critical attention; how advocates bring attention to issues; why expert interpretations may change over time; the role of the media in shaping or distorting concerns; and the consequences of public policy. The introduction, conclusion, and section notes provide a coherent framework for the text. Reflecting the promise of the constructionist approach, the result is a powerful set of tools for systematically investigating social problems. It can be used to advantage as a "stand-alone," as well as with such texts as Joel Best's Social Problems.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Joel Best and Scott R. Harris Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
1. Studying the Construction of Social Problems Scott R. Harris Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part 1. The Nature of Claims
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
2. Teen Suicide: A Tale of Two Communities Marguerite L. O’Leary and Joel Best Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
3. Cell Phone Use While Driving: Defining a Problem as Worthy of Action Peter F. Parilla Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	27
Part 2. Claimsmakers
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	47
4. The Pet Grief Industry: Framing the Problem of Pet Death Nancy Berns Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
5. The Movement Linking Vaccines to Autism: Parents and the Internet Victor W. Perez Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	71
6. Old Skeletons, Pagans, and Museums: Why Ancient Human Remains Are a Bone of Contention Tiffany Jenkins Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
Part 3. Questioning Experts
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
7. Wankers, Inverts, and Addicts: The Scientific Construction of Sexuality as a Social Problem Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	111
8. Murdered Mothers: The Social Construction of Troubling Statistics Keith Roberts Johnson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
9. Prophets in the Wilderness: Predicting Financial Collapse John Barnshaw Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153
Part 4. The Role of the Media
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	173
10. Abortion and Adoption: “Choosing Life” and the Problem of Regret Jennifer L. Dunn Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177
11. The Evolution of Internet Addiction David Schweingruber and Michelle Horstmeier Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195
12. Breaking News on Nancy Grace: Violent Crime in the Media Brian A. Monahan and R. J. Maratea Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	209
Part 5. Policy Outcomes
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	229
13. In the Shadow of Saturated Fat: The Struggle to Get Trans Fats Noticed Rachel J. Bacon Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	233
14. Casinos and Smoke-Free Legislation: Claimsmaking About Policy Outcomes Jenine K. Harris Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	251
15. Global Policy Outcomes: Comparing Reactions to Post-Tsunami Aid Lynn Letukas Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	265
Part 6. Afterword
16. Three Questions for Constructionism Scott R. Harris and Joel Best Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	295
The Contributors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	327
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	331
About the Book Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	335

Language: English
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Publishers
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 335

eBook

Published: June 1, 2022
ISBN: 9781685850494