Focus on social problems : a contemporary reader / [compiled and edited by] Mindy Stombler, Georgia State University, Amanda M. Jungels, Georgia State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction -- 1. Social construction of social problems -- 2. Core American values -- 3. Wealth and income inequality -- 4. Poverty -- 5. Racial and ethnic inequality -- 6. Gender inequality -- 7. Social problems related to sex and sexuality -- 8. Social problems related to media -- 9. Social problems related to education -- 10. Social problems related to families -- 11. Social problems related to health and the health-care system -- 12. Social problems related to crime and the criminal justice system -- 13. Social problems related to the economy and work -- 14. Social problems related to the environment and food system -- 15. Strategies for social change.

"Focus on Social Problems: A Contemporary Reader exposes students to current issues in the field. The selections in this reader help students understand how social problems are defined and constructed, increase their empirical knowledge about the causes and consequences of social problems, and develop empathy. Working from a critical social constructionist foundation, the readings address a wide variety of social problems. Editors Mindy Stombler and Amanda M. Jungels include a combination of research-based articles and popular media pieces. Each chapter opens with an interview of a social-change activist doing work related to the chapter's featured social problem, giving students an opportunity to envision themselves as agents of social change." --Publisher's website.