How Can We Solve Our Social Problems? 3/e

James Crone has been a member of the sociology faculty at Hanover College faculty for over 30 years. In the course of his career, he has taught courses on social problems, social stratification, and social theory. Research in all these areas has contributed to his Pine Forge Press book, How Can We Solve Our Social Problems? During his time at Hanover, Professor Crone has served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, president of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and president of the Hanover Town Council.

Chapter 1: Preparing to Solve Our Social Problems What Is a Social Problem? History of Studying Social Problems Teaching About Social Problems in Today's World How Can Sociologists Address Social Problems and Yet Remain Objective? What Social Problem Should We Solve First? How Might Sociological Theory Help Us to Solve Social Problems? A Theory of Conflict and Social Change: A Way to Better Understand and Therefore Solve Our Social Problems Causal Model: A Picture of Our Theory My Own Theoretical Orientation Other Sociological Theories That Can Help Us Understand and Solve Social Problems Concluding Thoughts on Theory and Social Problems Addressing Social Problems Within Capitalism The Next Chapter Questions for Discussion Chapter 2: Barriers, Possibilities, and How Sociology Can Help Barriers to Solving Our Social Problems Possibilities for Solving Our Social Problems How Can Sociology Help to Solve Social Problems? Questions for Discussion Chapter 3: How Can We Solve the Problem of Increasing Inequality? Definition and Statistics Causes of Growing Inequality Consequences of Growing Inequality Options We Have With Inequality What Should We Do? Questions for Discussion Chapter 4: How Can We Solve the Problem of Poverty? Assumptions We Can Make About Solving Poverty What Can We Do? Concluding On an Optimistic Note Questions for Discussion Chapter 5: How Can We Solve the Problem of Racial/Ethnic Inequality? Now, and Where to Next? What Might Racial/Ethnic Equality Mean? What More Can We Do? Questions for Discussion Chapter 6: How Can We Solve the Problem of Gender Inequality? What Can We Do? Concluding Thoughts Questions for Discussion Chapter 7: How Can We Solve the Problem of Unequal Education? What Can We Do? Problems That Prevent Us From Having Excellent Public Schools Tax Money for Schools Positive Consequences What Will Not Work If We Want Excellent Public Education: The Voucher System Questions for Discussion Chapter 8: How Can We Solve the Problem of Crime? What Can We Do? A Dilemma: Capitalism and Crime Questions for Discussion Chapter 9: How Can We Solve the Problem of Drugs? Keep the Current Policy Legalize Drugs for Adults Take a Step-by-Step Approach by Legalizing One Drug at a Time Where to Go From Here? Questions for Discussion Chapter 10: How Can We Solve the Problem of Health Care? Consequences of Our Problem Why Don't We Have a Health Care System That Covers All Citizens Like All Other Industrial Nations? Criteria for a Health Care System For All Americans How We Could Implement These Criteria Advantages of Health Care For All Americans Disadvantages of Health Care For All Americans What Other Countries Include in Their National Health Care Systems The Future: What Could Happen? Summer and Fall 2009 and Winter 2010: Finally, Serious Debate March 21, 2010: Health Care Reform Passes Congress Questions for Discussion Chapter 11: How Can We Solve the Problems of Families? Decreasing Inequality to Help Families Decreasing Poverty to Help Families Creating Enough Jobs and Enough Decent-Paying Jobs to Help Families Creating Racial and Ethnic Equality to Help Families Creating Gender Equality to Help Families Including Gay and Lesbian Couples to Help Families Decreasing Crime to Help Families Changing the Way We Deal With Drugs to Help Families Creating a National Health Care System to Help Families Creating Good-Quality Education for All Students to Help Families Educating Students to Help Families Educating Parents to Help Families Summary of What We Can Do to Help Families Questions for Discussion Chapter 12: How Can We Solve the World's Population Problem? Causes of the World's Population Problem What Can We Do? Where Are We? Questions for Discussion Chapter 13: How Can We Solve the World's Environmental Problem? Consequences What Can We Do? Conclusion Questions for Discussion Chapter 14: Solving Our Social Problems: Predictions and Conclusions A Number of Similar Social Conditions Defining a Social Condition as a Social Problem Legitimation Values and Vested Interests Loss of Control Over the Social Problem Attention and Resources Someone Will Be Dissatisfied Compromise Becoming Accustomed to Social Change Capitalism and Social Problems Environment, Population, and Standard of Living Building a Sustainable Society Conclusion Questions for Discussion

"It is easy to read and gets to the point quickly without including unnecessary details. I also like that it provides realistic solutions, things that can be done either by individual or group effort...Rarely do I find a book that so clearly and concisely presents the material is such an accessible engaging manner. I just hope it never goes out of print!" -- Chris Adamski-Mietus "I adopted this book because of its readability and its emphasis on solving problems. Social problems can, quite frankly, be depressing to cover day in and day out. It's great to be able to end each unit or topic of discussion on a high note by discussing solutions." -- Laci Fiala