Leonard A. Steverson, Ph.D., is associate professor emeritus of sociology at South Georgia State College and currently an adjunct professor of sociology at Flagler College, where he teaches contemporary social problems, sociological theory, social movements, and public sociology. He is the author of Policing in America: A Reference Handbook (2008), co-author of Giants of Sociology: A Little Guide to the Big Names in Sociological Theory (2006/2010), an upcoming work on the sociology of mental health, and several chapters in edited works.Jennifer E. Melvin, Ph.D., is currently an assistant professor of sociology at Flagler College. She teaches contemporary social problems, social stratification, and the sociology of health inequalities. She co-authored the textbook Introductory Sociology (2009) and is the co-author of several journal articles and book chapters that look broadly at intersections of disadvantage for the physical health of Latino Americans (2014/2016). Her newest project takes an unconventional approach to the study of mental health.

• Preface; Acknowledgements; Chapter 1: Understanding Social Problems; Chapter 2: Work and Economy; Chapter 3: Government and the Political System; Chapter 4: The Educational System; Chapter 5: The Family; Chapter 6: Sex and Gender; Chapter 7: Sexuality; Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity; Chapter 9: Deviance and Crime; Chapter 10: Alcohol and Other Drugs; Chapter 11: Health Care; Chapter 12: Terrorism and War; Chapter 13: Population; Chapter 14: The Environment and Urbanization; Chapter 15: Globalization; Index